Chalice of Highland

Nice little game! I enjoyed the simplicity of both presentation and controls. It definitely feels like it could be a Game Boy game. Length is just on point (took me around 3-4 hours to complete) with difficulty being on the easier side. The game, however, would benefit from some more variety. Overworld was pretty bland and empty, while the dungeons for the most part were linear, only rarely splitting into two paths to explore. The spells felt kind of useless, especially given that each use of them took away some of the maximum health (which is a design decision I don't understand at all). It would be great if they had some more impact and perhaps be used to solve some puzzles in the dungeons (which would also benefit from being more varied). All in all, I think this is still a neat experience, especially given the low price tag. I recommend it for enthusiasts of Game Boy era gaming.

I played the demo back before the game was released, and found it charming enough that the full game was an instant buy once i realized it was out. The same smooth jump-gliding mechanics and exploration based powerup collection made it a pleasant start, the classical music chiptune soundtrack is great. However- It's foreshadowed that the main McGuffin is cursed in the intro exposition, which is fine, could make for some interesting mechanics. but the curse is harsh and pointlessly punitive. each of the segmented pieces of the chalice when picked up decreases your maximum health. every subsequent use of the spell that action unlocks decreases your maximum health further. by the time i realized what was draining my max health, i was down to two hearts, (which is less than you start with) yes, it is possible to grind your max health back up, but that is SLOW. The thought of doing that is not fun for me, and games should be fun, even if challenging. I feel like the game punished me for following it's PLOT, and then punished me for USING IT'S MECHANICS. This is a weird and hostile game design choice, which is not well explicated or justified. maybe in further play it would feel be…

Chalice of Highland, developed and published by RetroValou, is a retro-styled action-adventure RPG that clearly draws inspiration from early handheld-era classics while attempting to blend exploration, combat, and light platforming into a cohesive experience. From the moment it begins, the game establishes its identity through a deliberate throwback presentation—low-resolution pixel art, limited color palettes, and a design philosophy that favors discovery over direction. It positions itself less as a modern reinterpretation and more as a faithful homage to a time when players were expected to explore, experiment, and figure things out on their own. The structure of the game is built around open-ended exploration. Rather than guiding players through clearly marked objectives, it encourages wandering through interconnected areas, uncovering secrets, and gradually piecing together where to go next. This approach gives the world a sense of mystery and encourages curiosity, rewarding players who take the time to explore beyond the obvious paths. However, it also means that progress can occasionally feel unclear, especially for those accustomed to more guided experiences. The balance b…

Played a ton of the demo, charming little game that nails the old gameboy aesthetic. Make sure to open the menu and look at the map frequently to avoid getting lost. Works on the deck right out the box with no fiddling.