Quester

Found this from watching Retromation. I am glad I did.

This game is dope. Quick little sessions, difficult arcade style. mechanics that make you feel pro once you get better, steep curve so far, will be a long time before i win a run. Reminds me of downwell as far as difficulty curve and game loop go.

Quester is a fast-paced indie roguelike that combines retro arcade action with dungeon crawling and resource management in a way that feels both simple and surprisingly intense. Developed and published by LUJA Studio, the game throws players into procedurally generated labyrinths packed with monsters, treasure, and constant danger. While the pixel-art presentation initially suggests a straightforward retro action game, the mechanics underneath are much more demanding than they first appear. Quester thrives on pressure, forcing players to balance combat, survival, and resource conservation during every second of a run. The result is a compact but highly addictive experience that captures the spirit of old-school arcade design remarkably well. The game’s most distinctive feature is its POWER system, which completely changes how combat is approached. Attacking enemies consumes energy, meaning players cannot simply fight endlessly without consequences. In order to keep attacking, players must gather coins and resources scattered throughout the dungeon. This creates a constant risk-versus-reward dynamic where every encounter becomes a small strategic decision. Choosing whether to spend…

Quester is what I would call a modern retro arcade game. +12 playable characters as of Version 2, I haven't played them all just yet, but all the characters provide a variety of playstyle and difficulty. +Music is incredible chiptune/fakebit goodness +Great pixel art style +Tough but fair: enemies have sound and animation cues before they move or attack. +Accessibility options: Double health, Game speed adjustments: 5% decrements down to 75% speed. and 4 UI visibility options. (side note: the reduced game speed is pretty decent for game streaming and still be playable despite the lag) +Language options: English, Japanese, and Korean. That's cool. Charming game over all. Lots of fun. Runs can be quick, but you can technically take as much time as you need if you don't feel the need to keep your combo high. I haven't noticed any significant bugs or glitches. Just the occasional harmless visual bug. This is a quality game. It's a lot of fun to play and to watch. I recommend this game!

My new favourite game! It's really got that 'one more try' about it. Excellent arcade feel. Steam, sort your algorithm out - this deserves way more attention! Author - any further updates planned? If not what is your next project? You so have the 'feel' nailed down - maybe you can make that modern Atic Atac homage I keep dreaming of?! :)

Saw this on a stream and it's actually pretty good. Mechanics are robust and the gameplay loop is engaging.