13Z by Mixed Realms is an upcoming hack and slash game that builds on the concept of roguelike games. Its roots lie in Zodiac folklore, introducing players to the Zodiac Trials – a test of reflexes and tact. It may ease you into its world with an art style that draws inspiration from cel-shading, and a soundtrack that keeps things cozy.
However, the gameplay loop is anything but simple. 13Z’s biggest strength lies in its combat system, which is filled with satisfying combos and fluid animations. Yet, its progression system that works on a roguelike model can feel quite punishing at times.
Fortunately, all of it works in 13Z’s favor. Even in its preview build, it shows the promise of being the perfect entry into a genre of gaming that’s for people who enjoy fast and rewarding gameplay that thrives on novelty.
Welcome to the Zodiac Trials
With a short introduction to 13Z’s universe, the game quickly introduces you to the Zodiac Trials, a series of challenges that grow increasingly difficult as you progress. Think of this like something you’d notice in Hades and Devil May Cry, where each level feels unique, and the enemies grow stronger.
My playthrough felt special thanks to Lyra, an exceptional swordswoman who can turn into a fox and look pretty cool when doing so. She’s one of the many characters who will be playable once 13Z fully launches.
At first, it may seem that a lot is going on in this game that’s tough to understand. Thankfully, there’s a voice narration that guides you through the pieces of the game and even passes comments based on the upgrades you choose.
Here’s how most of it works: you enter an area, you fight enemies, you choose upgrades, and eventually fight the boss. This cycle repeats until it’s well-established that 13Z is a roguelike that works best when you don’t take failure personally.
Yes, I failed a lot of times as I progressed through the game. But I never felt disheartened. The game has perfected this loop, thanks to the variety of elemental damage types and upgrades I found throughout my journey.
Hack, Slash, and Fully Admire
As I fought and fled my way through the different levels, most of it felt like a smooth and tranquil experience. The devs have done a fantastic job at painting a world that looks and sounds beautiful, drawing you into its sense of mysticism from the get-go.
That’s where being in a friendly town helps. Right before starting a trial, you have the luxury of spending time in a cozy town with people who are willing to have a chat with you. Some of them make comments about the ongoing events, while others need your assistance with a thing or two.
Then, when you are ready to fight, the Zodiac Trials can be started. The day and night cycles in the game keep the visuals dynamic, but what caught my attention (and quite frankly, admiration) was how quickly these levels changed and evolved. Pieces of the area would come together to form the next step in the trials.
When in battle, the attacks synergized so well together that I’d go “already? I want to fight more!” when a round was over. Light and heavy attacks mixed well together, and special (ultimate) abilities felt unique based on which element was in focus. Additionally, perfect dodging is a thing here, and players who love parry mechanics are going to appreciate this a lot.
Elements play a big role in 13Z, and as you progress through the trials, you will get to choose from different ones. They mix well, too. For instance, having a water-whirling attack can be a cool move to pull off once you’ve set someone on fire. Or vice versa.
A Potential Rebirth of the Hack and Slash Roguelike Niche
Rewards and upgrades are a great way to keep players engaged, and that’s where 13Z keeps its options open. They feel like a mixed bag of things you can experiment with, and synergies you can master over time.
As I type this, I’m itching to head back into 13Z, so I can enjoy one more go at the Zodiac Trials. There’s always something to learn and playstyles to improve. 13Z’s preview build felt like an entire game in itself, and it’s impressive how much more players can look forward to.
There are a lot of features that I couldn’t test out due to the preview build’s limitation, and these will surely enrich the game’s experience. Some of it includes co-op play, six playable characters, and more.
Adding that polished cherry on top, 13Z works without any major bugs on PC. Even though it’s still in development, Mixed Realms has a lot in store for players who are willing to try this one out.
