A mini metroidvania dungeon crawler game
Alchemist’s Castle is a premium adventure game made by developer Kabuk Games. It is a 2D action platformer with some Metroidvania elements in its gameplay. In it, players will be charging into a castle in order to stop an alchemist who has gone mad with power.
Just like Hollow Knight or Celeste, Alchemist’s Castle features gameplay that is a mix of precise platforming. It emphasizes exploration and puzzle solving as players slowly progress through levels and unfold the story. It takes a casual approach, making it more accessible to newcomers.
Mad with power
Alchemist’s Castle tells the story of a great and wise alchemist who discovers the fabled philosopher’s stone and takes it for himself. However, the power it bestowed has turned the benevolent wizard into a mad and greedy tyrant. It is now up to you to stop him by storming into a castle full of horror in order to destroy the corrupt magical artifact and bring back peace and order.
This adventure game offers an essentially Metroidvania-style experience without all the complicated elements. That notion is evident in its gameplay, which focuses more on exploration, platforming, and puzzle-solving. You do get to battle various enemies later on, but those encounters are sparse and often simplistic in comparison to other aspects, such as the storytelling and the level design revolving around traps and such.
The game features charming pixel graphics and a retro soundtrack that stay true to the classic titles that it draws inspiration from. As mentioned earlier, combat is not the main focus, but it could use more of it as it can feel a bit dull without it. Also, a typical playthrough is short, only lasting a couple of hours depending on how you play.
Take back the castle
If you are intrigued by the idea of metroidvania games but are apprehensive about their daunting difficulty, Alchemist’s Castle is a nice entry point into the genre that eases you into the gameplay without being too overwhelming. You’ll mainly get to experience the platforming and exploration side of things, and eventually go into more action-oriented titles once you get the hang of things.
