A retro dungeon crawler inspired by the classics
It Came from the Forest is a free role-playing game for PC by indie developer zooperdan. It's a first-person 2D dungeon crawler that takes inspiration from the classics. It's an entry in the ongoing Dungeon Crawler Jam 2022 event and was designed using the Photoshop script, AtlasMaker.
Combining the aesthetic of Diablo II with the immersive point of view of DOOM 64, It Came from the Forest offers a nostalgic experience that those who grew up playing video games in the 80s and 90s will appreciate. This demo version provides a preview of what the full release will be like.
Close up dungeon crawling
Dungeon crawler games are pretty straightforward, and that is part of the reason why so many gamers like them—they're accessible and beginner-friendly. It is a simple yet fun gameplay loop; you raid a dungeon, defeat monsters, and loot treasure for your troubles. Some titles have put their own twist on the formula including RPG mechanics. It Came from the Forest does the same but in a rather unique way.
The game was inspired by the classic and its design reflects that in its pixel art and graphics. What makes it stand out, though, is its distinct first-person perspective. It might seem like a simple change, but it actually changes the way it plays and feels in major ways. From the combat to interacting with the various characters you'll encounter, everything is just more immersive.
As mentioned earlier, this version is just a demo that was released to coincide with the game's active development with the ongoing Dungeon Crawler Jam 2022 event. As such, expect bugs to appear throughout your playthrough, including one that the devs themselves have pointed out regarding a particular quest item that you'll need to find at the end of this demo.
There's so much to love about it
While the inspiration for its inception came from the classics, It Came from the Forest is just a nice dungeon crawler game in its own right. The graphics are spot-on, it offers a familiar but fun gameplay loop, and the shift in perspective is a game-changer. If you're a fan of the genre and are looking for something new to try out, this one is it.
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