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[@MUWANdo]

Hi! I'm some dork on the internet who can't help but channel Troy McClure. You may remember Locamalito for such "donationware" indie releases as Hydorah, Maldita Castilla, l'Abbaye des Morts or Gaurodon, and now he's back with a new game called The Curse of Issyos:

http://www.locomalito.com/curse_of_issyos.php

The Curse of Issyos is a sidescrolling action game with adventure elements that plays like Castlevania MSX and looks like an 8-bit Jason and the Argonauts. Here's an overview, straight from the horse's mouth:

The plot: Defkalion was fishing on a quiet blue sea when he heard the voice of the Goddess Athena. Hurry up, she said, the isle of Issyos has been cursed by the Olympus. And so, fearing for his daughter and only family left, the fisherman sails back to his home, where the adventure is about to begin.

The game: The Curse of Issyos is a retro styled action platformer with nothing but the usual in an old 8 bit game: a bunch of enemies and bosses, both straight and exploration levels, some secrets to discover and a background story of Greek myths. It doesn't try to mimic a retro system in particular, but it is coherent with it's own limitations in the use of colors, sprites and chip sounds. The soundtrack has been composed by Gryzor87 using Pixel's PX Tone.

Influences: The movies of the special effects titan Ray Harryhausen and 8 bit games like Vampire Killer, Rastan, Kenseiden, Rygar or Ninja Gaiden.

Personal note: I've been a fan of Greek mythology since my childhood. I started this game in 2010, but the project was frozen a few months later when I started Maldita Castilla. Then, after five years the time has come for it to be finished.

Key features

Look and feel of a console game from 1987-1988.
7 levels, 9 bosses and more than 40 enemies.
Around 45 minutes of gameplay length.
A secret level that can change the ending.
Based on Greek Mythology.

You can get a glimpse of the beginning of the game here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHHzV-RYKKc


...and some screenshots for good measure (thumbnails, click for full image):









As always, Locomalito is releasing this game as "donationware": that is, you can download the full game for free with the option of getting lots of extra bits and pieces if you donate. The game will be released to the public on December 15, but anyone who donates or has previously donated to Locomalito in the past can play the game right now (once he's emailed it to you).

Locomalito makes excellent old-school games that could easily go toe-to-toe with any of the big indie games should he ever feel compelled to sell them, so even if you don't feel like donating, show him some love.

 

[Icedburden]

This looks interesting. I'll bite.

 

[ElFly]

Looks like no old display emulation? Maybe it is optional?

That sounds great to me.

 

[@MUWANdo]

Looks like no old display emulation? Maybe it is optional?

That sounds great to me.

Yes, it's a setting you can toggle on/off.

Most videos/streams have it turned off because it doesn't play nice with video compression, I guess.

 

[PaulloDEC]

I just had a try of "Maldita Castilla", one of the guy's earlier games. Looks, sounds and plays brilliantly, just like Ghouls and Ghosts.

Might have to give this new one a go.

 

[@MUWANdo]

I just had a try of "Maldita Castilla", one of the guy's earlier games. Looks, sounds and plays brilliantly, just like Ghouls and Ghosts.

Might have to give this new one a go.

Indeed, all his games are highly polished and go far beyond what I imagine most people expect from freeware games.

 

[@MUWANdo]

Offical trailer! "6 bits action, 2 bits exploration":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqCkx_qzQ5Q

 

[PaulloDEC]

I caved and made a donation for early access. Long story short, I love it. Plays really well, looks and sounds super authentic, and does a great job with the criminally underutilized Greek mythological setting.

I just wish there was saving, or at least a cheat to gain a few more lives. As much as I like playing it, I don't know if I have the patience to keep replaying entire levels until I can pass them.

Still, absolutely recommended for anyone who loves those classic NES-style action platformers.

 

[Gaogaogao]

oh wow that's the guy who made 8 bit killer

donated a euro, waiting for an email

 

[Gaogaogao]

It's really good. I'm just not good at it. It has limited lives and limited continues (which I personally wish would go away like volgar the Viking did.)

 

[dirtywhirlwind]

It's out now.

 

[G-Fex]

THIS IS INSANELY GREAT LOOKING!

Wow way to nail that feel and look and everything!

 

[Teknoman]

All of his games look, sound, and play great. Amazing that they are free.

 

[RM8]

Locomalito is the best <3

 

[SplitYourInfinities]

Locomalito deserves more credit. Can't wait to try Issyos, if it plays as half as good as Maldita Castilla then is gonna be a joy to play.

 

[LuFel]

okay. downloading now!

 

[Funky Papa]

<3 Loco

 

[@MUWANdo]

ICYMI: the game's available now!

 

[Funky Papa]

I've been playing it for the better part of the morning and this is definitely my jam.

I'm shocked by how damn well Loco managed to capture the actual retro feel of the NES/Master System era. It may be pixelated and low res-y, but unlike many other games, it doesn't use massive palettes nor it tries to pass advanced FX as "8 bit graphics". Gryzor also made a bang up job with the muzak.

And it's damn fun. As a matter of fact, I'd say it's much more enjoyable than most similar games from the era.

Play this thing, GAF.

 

[TerryCavanagh]

Has anyone

Spoiler

managed to find the keys for the extra door in stage III? I've found the one in the sails of the ship at the start of the game, and of course the one you can buy, but there must be one more somewhere and I can't figure out where...

Spoiler

The big concrete clue, as far as I can see is the "Hand of Talos", which you hear about if you talk to the soldier twice. Can't figure out what it refers to, though. I thought maybe the hand of the giant statue, but eh, that didn't work

 

[blackoak]

I've been enjoying this too. So far it feels much easier than Maldita Castilla, though I've only played to stage 5. I will echo the sentiment of others, that it's amazing how well he nailed that NES platformer feeling in the controls and the art. I'd prefer slightly tighter and more difficult design for the earlier stages, but it's the most minor of quibbles.

I'm (belatedly) going to send him a little donation, as I've enjoyed his work way more than a lot of the similar Steam stuff I've paid for.

 

[Funky Papa]

I've been enjoying this too. So far it feels much easier than Maldita Castilla, though I've only played to stage 5. I will echo the sentiment of others, that it's amazing how well he nailed that NES platformer feeling in the controls and the art. I'd prefer slightly tighter and more difficult design for the earlier stages, but it's the most minor of quibbles.

I'm (belatedly) going to send him a little donation, as I've enjoyed his work way more than a lot of the similar Steam stuff I've paid for.

Do it. He's a cool dude and he loves to please his fans.

@ the bolded: The beauty about Loco's games is that they are old-school hard, but not unfair at all. Did you die? Just getter.

 

[Morfeo]

This looks great, downloading now. Just the kind of game I love, so its nice to see indies finally tackle the more adventureish action-plattformer of the late 80s.

 

[Teknopathetic]

"oh wow that's the guy who made 8 bit killer"


That game was sick, music was sick too.

 

[daydream]

nice, gotta love the guy!