If you’ve ever wished for a game that’s as visually stunning as Genshin Impact, but instead of sprawling open-world exploration, you’re thrown into the frantic arena of roguelike character progression – without any gacha nonsense – then 13Z is calling your name.
In this game, you’re invited to embark on the Zodiac Trials, a hack-and-slash adventure that promises to challenge your skill, strategy, and grit in the quest for the illustrious title of the 13th Zodiac (yup, that’s why it’s called 13Z).
13Z is actually more like Hades or Risk of Rain than you’d think
At the heart of 13Z is a colorful roster of animal – and half-animal, half-human – spirits. You can slip into the shoes of characters like Lyra the Fox, a master swordswoman whose speed is so impressive it could make your head spin.
And trust me, they’re not exaggerating. After trying out her playstyle, I can confirm she’s fast. She strings together slashes without giving enemies a moment to catch their breath. With three skills and an ultimate at your disposal, there’s plenty to mess around with – even in the game’s early development stages.
The developers stress the importance of mastery and strategy – something that definitely clashes with my button-mashing tendencies.
As you navigate the Zodiac Trials, you’ll encounter an array of foes, from feeble mushrooms to heavy-hitting Gronks, each crafted to test your combat skills. If you don’t learn to dodge, prepare to be flattened by this ogre-like creature’s massive club.
What makes 13Z particularly intriguing are its roguelike features. After clearing each area, you’re rewarded with an elemental scroll to harness elemental powers.
In true roguelike fashion, similar to the system you’d see in Hades, these stack on top of each other, making you feel like a total badass – until you realize, “Wait, I really just need some extra health over here, please.”
Once you’ve conquered (or more likely, succumbed to) a trial – let’s be honest, those flying lanterns are relentless – you’re whisked back to Turtle Village, a supposed sanctuary where the devs promise you’ll be able to regroup and interact with other characters in the future. For now, though, the town looks a bit desolate.
While the co-op mode is still in development, I can only imagine how chaotically fun the roguelike mechanics will be with a partner, just like in Risk of Rain 2. The developers encourage players to share their experiences and feedback to help fine-tune the game, so don’t hold back.
With future updates promising additional characters, new acts, and exciting gameplay mechanics, 13Z aims to inject fresh energy into the roguelike genre. For those ready to take on the challenge, check it out on Steam and follow the developers on X.
If you’re really into roguelikes, you might want to support Nif Nif, a game that gives your enemies a good bath, on Kickstarter.
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