Guidus Zero: Top-Down Roguelike Debuts in Early Access

Steam has recently welcomed an intriguing new game to its Early Access lineup: Guidus Zero, a riveting top-down dungeon crawler created by the independent South Korean studio, Izzle.

Set in a world once ravaged by endless conflict with no clear winner, the game’s story unfolds in the aftermath. This war-torn land becomes a neutral zone on the central continent where a colossal sinkhole, ominously named The Scar, emerges. From its mysterious depths comes the enigmatic Black Blood, a substance that twists life into corrupted horrors. Where did this sinkhole originate, and what exactly lies in its depths is a mystery. That’s where your journey begins.

As you dive deeper into The Scar, you’ll encounter a diverse cast of characters, each equipped to delve into this abyss. Players must navigate a grid-based world where movement is limited to the four directions: north, south, east, and west. Combat presents a unique tactical challenge: while the action unfolds in real-time, both you and your foes hop between tiles, strategizing every move.

When enemies attack, you’ll notice a telltale exclamation mark signaling their impending strike, with the area gleaming to reveal exactly where their blows will land. Each enemy type has its attack pattern, whether it’s a direct hit, a sweeping line, or a broader grid area. With numerous adversaries approaching, quick reflexes and strategic thinking become your best allies to dodge their attacks.

Movement is key, and you have the ability to roll, making you temporarily invincible. But be cautious: each roll depletes your stamina. Since you’re confined to moving straight and sideways, deciding when and where to roll becomes crucial, lest you find yourself ensnared by unavoidable strikes.

Of course, combat isn’t just about dodging blows. You need to be on the offensive too, and how you handle this depends on your chosen character. Before each attempt to conquer The Scar, you’ll select a character and a starting trait. Staying true to RPG traditions, vanquishing enemies will earn you experience points and level ups.

Leveling up brings a selection of skill upgrades tailored to your initial trait, shaping your character’s playstyle for that particular run. Thus, even replaying the same character can lead to a different experience based on the traits and upgrades you opt for. Remember, though—progress within a run doesn’t carry over once you fall in battle.

Not all progress is lost, though. Along your journey, you can mine ore veins for stones, each with unique stats. The accumulated traits of these stones can grant character enhancements, and equipping them secures their benefits beyond a single run. Any unclaimed stones will be transformed into fragments upon your run’s conclusion, which can then be used as currency or reforged into new stones by a resident blacksmith.

Each adventure offers the chance to stumble upon special treasure-filled rooms hiding artifacts. These treasures bestow exceptional buffs and bolster your capabilities, occasionally stacking elemental effects. When stacked sufficiently, an artifact bonds with a spirit tied to its element, unlocking new elemental powers for you to wield.

Align with Ignis, the fire spirit, to inflict a burn that slowly saps your foes. Atlen, the water spirit, drenches enemies, slowing them down or even freezing them solid. Rathorus, the lightning spirit, electrifies with shocking damage, while Enryl, the wind spirit, boosts your speed and enhances rapid attacks. Terrania, the earth spirit, petrifies enemies, causing damaging fragments to cascade from them when struck.

This dynamic mix creates a roguelike that irresistibly beckons “just one more run.” Permanent upgrades via stones mix with fresh choices in character, traits, and skills to ensure no two expeditions are the same. Intrigued by Guidus Zero? It’s currently available in Early Access on Steam.

To mark the launch, you can grab the game at a 10% discount until December 9. While the developers are exploring potential releases on Xbox and Nintendo Switch, no official announcements for these platforms have been made yet.