Every so often an indie game comes along with a hand-drawn art style and instantly captivates gamers and critics alike. As long as it has decent gameplay to go with it, the game will be seen as a true artistic gem. There's something about a hand-drawn style that makes a game look artisan. It's like organic food. It's homemade with love, so it has to be better than that corporate stuff! Crown Trick is an upcoming roguelike dungeon-crawler with a distinct hand-drawn style. So will it be an instant classic?
Crown Trick's visual style certainly lends it flair and character. But developer NEXT Studios isn't content to put out something pretty. The team seems to want to reinvent the roguelike wheel by turning it into a maze. So while the path will change every time you enter it, how you interact with the terrain itself is just as important. The elements themselves are part of the puzzle, and players will have to use Water, Fire, Ice, Wind, Poison, and Earth to get past obstacles and defeat enemies.
Then there's the whole crown thing. Apparently the crown is sentient and can act on its own. It becomes a Pokéball of sorts and can capture the monsters in the maze, allowing the player to use their abilities. Aside from that, players can use swords, bows, muskets, and staves to fend off baddies in turn-based battles.
So to recap: Crown Trick is incorporating roguelike progression, elemental combos, creature capture, and turn-based battles. It's like an all-stars of RPG mechanics. But does that actually make it a good game? Let's see what someone who actually played it thinks:
If that looks interesting to you, NEXT Studios is about to host a beta for Crown Trick. Check out their Twitter for details. Alternatively, if you're heading to PAX West at the end of the month, you will be able to try a demo for yourself. Be sure to let us know if it lives up to its promises of innovation.