Castle of Heart: Retold vs Project TAL

• Perspective: 2.5D Side-Scroller
• Multiplayer: Single-Player Only
• Setting: Slavic Mythology
• Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 (TBA)
• Unique Feature: A unique curse mechanic that acts as a timer, where the player's health constantly depletes and must be replenished through aggressive combat, creating a timed-runner feel.

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: Single-Player Only (with AI Party)
• Setting: Korean Mythology, Dark Fantasy
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Consoles
• Release Window: 2027
• Unique Feature: A single-player, 'Monster Hunter'-style ARPG where players can climb colossal bosses, combined with an intelligent AI companion party system and a level-less progression.

• AI Party: A core feature of the game. The player is accompanied by a party of intelligent AI companions who dynamically react to combat. They can taunt bosses, deploy defensive barriers, heal the player, and perform combo attacks, fulfilling dedicated combat roles like Tank, Healer, and DPS.
  Varies

• Crystals of Mokosh: Four hidden gems are scattered throughout each of the game's 20 levels. Collecting them extends Svaran's maximum health.
• Stone Hearts: Floating pickups found throughout levels and dropped by enemies. These are essential for replenishing Svaran's constantly draining life bar.

• Pieces of the Great Relic: The central objective of the main story, required to close the void and save Arsiltus.
• Fragments: Found by exploring the vast environments. These are essential for unlocking new skills, armor, and weapons.
• Runes: Found through exploration and by defeating enemies. Runes are a primary method of enhancing and customizing the player's abilities in this level-less system.

• Dark Fantasy
• Slavic Mythology
• Action Platformer
• 2.5D
• Indie
• Curse

• Korean Mythology
• Open World
• Action RPG
• Monster Hunter
• Dark Fantasy
• Single-Player

• Sword: Primary Melee
  Svaran's main weapon for close-quarters hack-and-slash combat.
• Secondary Melee Weapons: Torches, Hatchets
  A variety of melee weapons that can be picked up and used for a limited time. Svaran drops his secondary weapon if his first health bar is depleted.
• Secondary Ranged Weapons: Javelins, Crossbows
  Ranged weapon options that can be found in the levels for engaging enemies from a distance.

• Knight's Armor: Svaran wears a suit of armor, but there is no traditional armor system with defensive stats. His durability is determined by his health bar, which is extended by collecting Crystals of Mokosh.

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.

Progression is a core part of the RPG experience. The player's combat style is determined by their choice of 5 different weapon types (e.g., heavy weapons, shield, high-mobility weapons), each with unique skills. Progression is also tied to the distinctive companion system, where each of the intelligent NPC allies has their own unique abilities and combat roles (Defense, Support, Melee, Ranged, Magic).

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.

The game features a massive, open world with a variety of vibrant fantasy landscapes, including sweeping plains, forests, and mythical structures. The world is designed for seamless traversal and encourages exploration of its dungeons and hidden corners.

• Svaran: Playable Protagonist
  A noble Slavic warrior who is cursed and turned to stone. He must fight against time to defeat the evil sorcerer and save his beloved.
• Mira: Key NPC
  A priestess and Svaran's betrothed. Her tear brings Svaran back to life, and her rescue is his primary goal.
• The Sorcerer: Antagonist
  The main villain of the game. A servant of the evil god Chernobog who cursed Svaran and rules the land with dark magic.

• The Last Guardian: Playable Protagonist
  The hero of the story, tasked with a mission to find the pieces of a broken great relic to save the continent of Arsiltus.
• AI Companions: Party Members
  A party of intelligent NPCs with unique skills, personalities, and combat roles (Defense, Support, Melee, Ranged, Magic) who accompany the player.

• Main Story Quests
  A cinematic campaign that follows the Last Guardian's quest to find the pieces of the broken great relic and close the void that has consumed the continent of Arsiltus.
• Dungeons
  Optional and mandatory dungeons that must be completed to expand the world and acquire essential items and upgrades for character growth.
• Brutal Hunts
  Targeting and defeating the 70 formidable 'Brutal' bosses scattered throughout the world to progress the story and gain powerful special items.

• Q: What is Castle of Heart: Retold?
  A: 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.
• Q: What is the 'curse' mechanic?
  A: 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.
• Q: Is it a hard game?
  A: 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.
• Q: What's new in the 'Retold' version?
  A: 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.

• Q: What is Project TAL?
  A: It is an upcoming single-player, open-world action RPG inspired by Korean mythology. Its gameplay is a mix of 'Monster Hunter' and 'Dragon's Dogma', where you fight colossal bosses by climbing them, and you are supported by an intelligent AI party.
• Q: Is it a multiplayer game?
  A: No, it is a strictly single-player experience. The 'party' consists of the player and their AI companions.
• Q: How does progression work?
  A: The game features a unique 'level-less' progression system. Instead of gaining XP, your character gets stronger by exploring, finding runes, crafting gear, and defeating bosses to unlock new skills and items.
• Q: Is it a Soulslike game?
  A: It shares some similarities, such as fast-paced, skill-based combat and challenging bosses, but it is primarily an action RPG with a strong narrative and a unique AI companion system, drawing more comparisons to Monster Hunter and Dragon's Dogma.

• OFFICIAL PC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS from the game's Steam page. These specifications are for the rebuilt 'Retold' version and are relatively modest.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop performance will be excellent on modern hardware. Most gaming laptops from the last few years will run the game at high settings without issue.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Not a critical factor for this title, as it is not graphically intensive.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: The game is not demanding enough to stress modern cooling systems.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: Any modern mobile CPU will handle the game with ease.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: Not a critical feature, but beneficial for reducing latency in any game.
• Game Name: Castle of Heart: Retold

• SPECULATIVE PC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS. As official specs were not provided, these are hypothetical projections for a next-generation title built on Unreal Engine 5, with requirements likely similar to other high-fidelity open-world ARPGs.
• Laptop Performance Note: A title like this would demand a high-performance gaming laptop for the best experience. The game's seamless open world and 'Monster Hunter'-style colossal bosses will be very demanding.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU would be essential to handle the advanced graphical features of Unreal Engine 5 and maintain stable framerates during boss fights.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: The game's visually rich world and intense, effects-heavy combat will require a laptop with a cutting-edge cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU will be critical for handling the complex AI of both companions and colossal monsters, as well as the physics of the open world.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance in the fast-paced, skill-based combat.
• Game Name: Project TAL

• G P U T G P: Not a critical factor for this title, as it is not graphically intensive.
• Cooling Thermals: The game is not demanding enough to stress modern cooling systems.
• C P U Power Limits: Any modern mobile CPU will handle the game with ease.
• M U X Switch Optimus: Not a critical feature, but beneficial for reducing latency in any game.

• G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU would be essential to handle the advanced graphical features of Unreal Engine 5 and maintain stable framerates during boss fights.
• Cooling Thermals: The game's visually rich world and intense, effects-heavy combat will require a laptop with a cutting-edge cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.
• C P U Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU will be critical for handling the complex AI of both companions and colossal monsters, as well as the physics of the open world.
• M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance in the fast-paced, skill-based combat.