A 1-bit top-down adventure game

Tochi is a free action-adventure game. It is set in a dungeon filled with various enemies that the player must avoid or defeat throughout the course of their exploration. Although payment is not required, players can support the developer through a “name your own price” model.

This game, like Sprout, is designed for the handheld Playdate gaming device. And like that game, the only way to play it without the device is by using a development environment (IDE) to create software for the device. The game also features a 1-bit color scheme, one of the Playdate console’s hallmarks.

A simple dungeon game

The gameplay of Tochi is very straightforward, requiring only the D-pad for movement and the A button for attacking enemies. The player must navigate through the dungeons in a retro panel-screen system, where each area is a single self-contained screen, and enemies do not travel between those screens.

Text-driven narrative

Tochi features some text-based narrative to instruct the player, acting as a plot device and a mechanism for delivering the game’s tutorial. The player must navigate the dungeons to find an orb and bring it back, with text boxes popping up occasionally to deliver more information.

Smart design

Despite the black and white (or light and dark grey) color scheme, the game elements are designed in such a way that it is easy to distinguish between different things, such as the background and enemies.

May feel repetitive

While the simple nature of the game makes it easy to pick up and play, the simplicity of the controls and the limited visuals may make it feel repetitive to some. Because this software requires a handheld Playdate device, it may be a significant barrier for players.