Cthulhu Saves the World and Breath of Death VII: The Beginning!
By Zeboyd Games
Here I was, just recently waxing near-rhapsodic on the virtues of old-school games for this very publication, when along come two of the best representatives of the Retraux game form I’ve ever seen! From independent developers Zeboyd come offerings that are certainly aware of the clichés of classic RPGs, but they are also aware that we love them dearly, and so tip them on their collective ear, so to speak.
H.P. Lovecraft, acclaimed horror writer and inspirer of the Cthulhu mythos, about a grotesque, otherworldly alien being whose very existence serves to drive mortal men insane, would likely turn over in his grave if he knew what his creation would come to do; his powers stripped from him by a heroic wizard, the eldritch abomination learns (from the game’s very narrator, no less!) that he must become a true hero to regain his powers and destroy the world as is his plan.
Confusing? Maybe, but there’s nothing confusing about the pure old-school roots of this game, and the next. It’s very much inspired by classic Final Fantasy games, a source for which I have great fondness. You fight many monsters through several dungeons, talk to many people, go on quests, build your characters up, and basically become a hero in your own way. Through this, you may regain your powers and bring the world to its knees! MWAHAHAHA!
Now, the other game, Breath of Death VII, has no games before it, but its name is instead a parody of numbered RPG sequels. It has you controlling a party of adventurers After the End; an atomic bomb is detonated, killing everyone in a large area (save for certain people). They’ve all risen as skeletons, zombies and other beasts, including you, Dem, a taciturn skeleton who nonetheless has a very expressive mind; you read along with his thoughts. With three others you set out on a quest to… kill lots of monsters and get the best loot! Of course.
Both of these games first showed up in the Xbox 360 Indie Games store, and it was opined by a gaming magazine that it’s a travesty to have it stuck there. Well, it’s not anymore; it’s on Steam! Get the two games, both of which I rate five stars, for $2.99 ($2.69 right now on special)! Have a great time reliving your past, or making new memories!