Castle of Heart: Retold

The game is a linear 2.5D platformer. Players will travel across 20 levels set within four distinct, Slavic-inspired landscapes. Most levels have been completely rebuilt for the Retold version, featuring new animations and more detailed environments.

A version for the Nintendo Switch 2 is planned for release after the initial launch. The exact date is to be announced.

Progression is based on in-level pickups and collectibles. Players can find dozens of different melee and ranged secondary weapons throughout the levels. Collecting the four 'Crystals of Mokosh' hidden in each level will extend Svaran's maximum life bar. There is no traditional skill tree; progression is tied to player skill and health upgrades.

The game is available as a single standard edition at a budget-friendly price of $14.99. Launch discounts are available on Steam and PlayStation, and owners of the original 2018 release are offered heavy discounts.

Castle of Heart: Retold is a single-player game, so cross-platform play is not applicable.

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  Multiplayer Modes

  The game is a strictly single-player experience and does not have any multiplayer or co-operative modes.

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  Story and Setting

  The game is a dark fantasy action platformer inspired by Slavic mythology. Players control Svaran, a warrior turned to stone by an evil sorcerer. Reanimated by a tear from his beloved, the priestess Mira, he must fight to defeat the sorcerer and lift the curse before his body crumbles to dust. The story has been reimagined for the Retold version with rewritten dialogue and remade cutscenes.

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  Top 3 Gameplay Mechanics

  1. 1. The Curse Mechanic: The game's unique selling proposition. Svaran's health constantly drains, acting as a timer. Players must stay on the offensive, killing enemies or picking up hearts to replenish health and delay the curse, creating a constant sense of urgency. 2. Two-Stage Health Bar: Svaran has two health bars. If the first depletes, he loses an arm and his secondary weapon. If the second depletes, he crumbles to dust, resulting in a game over. 3. Rebalanced Action Combat: A significant improvement over the original. Hitting an enemy now interrupts their actions, making combat more intentional and tactical, and rewarding well-timed attacks and blocks.

• help_outline What is Castle of Heart: Retold?
  It is a complete remake and definitive version of the 2018 Nintendo Switch exclusive action platformer, Castle of Heart. It features massively improved graphics, rebalanced combat, and a reimagined story.
• help_outline What is the 'curse' mechanic?
  The protagonist, Svaran, is cursed to turn to stone. This translates into a unique gameplay mechanic where his health constantly drains like a timer. He must stay aggressive, killing enemies or finding pickups to replenish his health and survive.
• help_outline Is it a hard game?
  Yes, it is designed to be a challenging 2.5D action platformer, similar in feel to classic games like Super Ghouls and Ghosts. Precision platforming and strategic combat are required.
• help_outline What's new in the 'Retold' version?
  Almost everything has been enhanced. Most levels are rebuilt, graphics and lighting are overhauled, controls are more responsive, combat is rebalanced to be more tactical, and every line of dialogue and every cutscene has been remade.