Hey Zodiac Challengers, welcome to the very first Global Playtest for 13Z!
We just cracked open the doors to the Zodiac Trials, giving you an early sneak peek at our hack-and-slash action roguelike game inspired by the legend of the 12 Eastern Zodiacs. Step into the challenge and help us shape the adventure with your feedback and suggestions.
Watch the Global Playtest Trailer here:
While co-op isn’t available in this build yet, please share 13Z with your friends—the more feedback we receive, the better we can fine-tune the game. If you're excited about what you see, be sure to wishlist 13Z too! :)
Now, let’s dive into what you can expect in this playtest build!
What Awaits You in the Global Playtest
Take on the first act of the Zodiac Trials as one of the challengers gunning for the 13th Zodiac spot: Lyra the Fox also known as the Peerless Sword.
Unleash your unique abilities, boosted with upgrades and elemental powers collected along the way, as you tackle hordes of enemies. Face off against two formidable mini-bosses and gear up for the ultimate battle against the Goat Zodiac in the Act’s thrilling final showdown! If you stumble, don’t worry—there’s a welcoming village to nurse your spirits, so you can return to the trials stronger than ever!
Meet Your Adversaries
The trials are not just about endurance and strength—they’re about strategy and skill. Practice your ‘perfect dodge’ against the heavy-hitting Gronks or show off your aerial combat prowess against the flying Cursed Lanterns.
Each enemy is designed to test a different aspect of your combat skills. But beyond these common foes, be prepared for more daunting battles ahead.
Goldcroak the Guardian of Day and Treasures, lurking within the waterfalls.
The Moth Queen, the Night Guardian, casting whirlwinds with her relentless wings.
The formidable Goat Zodiac, commanding his flurry of sheeps and barraging you with flying spears in the Act’s final battle.
Upgrades and Power-Ups
Your journey through the Zodiac Trials isn’t just fraught with peril but opportunities for growth and power. Some upgrades appear upon clearing a level while pretty nifty perks are unlocked as permanent rewards for your past efforts in trying to beat the trials.
Elemental Scrolls: These are tied to elements that enhance your skills. While there will be more elemental choices in the future, the current playtest features the first three—Fire, Water, and Lightning—each with its own unique effect. Imagine leaving a trail of lightning with every dash, or summoning a fire spirit after executing your Special move. It’s your call!
Anvils: Customize your skills's attributes to better suit your play style. One of this dev’s favorite anvil upgrades is Falling Willows combined with the Secondary attack! ;)
Blessings: As you prove your worth, the 12 Zodiac Guardians may bestow blessings upon you… for a price.
Whether you aim for brute strength, agility, or strategic control, dive in and discover what works best for you!
Turtle Village: Your Sanctuary Between Trials
If the trials knock you down, Turtle Village is where you stand back up to chill until you’re ready to jump back into the fray.
You’ll discover intriguing side quests, bump into future challengers like the Raven and Panda who aren’t quite ready to join the trials just yet and unlock permanent upgrades at the Cultivation Tree using Jade earned from your past attempts.
You’ll be greeted by Fu Xi, the volunteer custodian of the makeshift village. He’s cleverly created variants of his likeness to maintain order as we await the arrival of all the Guardians. Don’t be fooled by his youthful looks and demeanor—rumor has it he’s at least 500 years old!
Why is the village named Turtle Village? While we can’t spill all the secrets just yet, venturing beyond its bounds might give you some intriguing clues… ;)
Looking Ahead: The Road to Full Release
This playtest is just the beginning. You're getting a firsthand look at our work in progress, complete with some placeholders and the occasional bugs. Apart from overall polish, here's what's on the horizon for the full game:
- A deeper roguelike experience with more impactful builds and meaningful choices;
- More playable characters;
- Co-op mode;
- Three more Acts, each set in unique landscapes guarded by their own Zodiac Guardians;
- A bustling village, full of new NPCs and quests to discover between Trials;
- More elements, skills, and abilities to experiment with!
- Game balancing and combat mechanics will be prioritized to enhance the overall player experience.
Share your Feedback
We truly value your insights and suggestions at this stage, so please don't hesitate to share them with us. Along with the in-game survey, our detailed feedback form below offers more questions and space for you to freely express your thoughts and comments.
ːexcited_gqːFEEDBACK FORM: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScZRxXF2KrOoFn-zVi6TgMg2SY3jnVDzD6RdL_gQ6aW8fBPjw/viewform
Spread the Word and Stay Connected
Sharing 13Z with friends and adding it to your wishlist are great ways to support our team. Every bit counts as we continue to build this game with the community. Chat with us on: Discord | Twitter | Tiktok
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2348250/13Z/
Thank you for joining us, and we hope you’ll enjoy your first dive into the world of 13Z.
Now, let the Zodiac Trials begin!
Craft with Love,
Mixed Realms
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Is this build representative of the final game?
There’s going to be a lot more content and improvements! Scroll up a little and read under Looking Ahead: The Road to Full Release.
Does the game support keyboard or controller?
We support both!
What controller models do you support?
We’ve fully tested the game using the following controllers: Xbox One, Xbox 360, DualShock and DualSense controllers. Most generic controllers are also supported natively or via Steam Input.
Does the game run on Steam Deck?
We’ve not done extensive tests yet but based on what we experienced, the game can run decently on Steam Deck from start to finish with the occasional frame drops.
I encountered a bug! Where can I report it?
The best place to report a bug would be through: Discord server as this allows our team to respond immediately while being able to categorize the reports under different tags.
I have some suggestions and feedback! Where’s the best place to share them?
You can respond to our online feedback form (there’s free text entry at the end) or drop us a message under the suggestions section on our Discord.
Are you planning to add more languages?
We currently support English, Chinese and Japanese. Currently, we don’t have plans to add more languages during the playtest period as we are still finalizing the content.
Until when is the playtest going to be available to the public?
We haven’t decided yet but we will make an announcement once we’re ready to close it… that would most likely be in preparation for the updated version with new content / co-op!