XEL, the Sci-Fi Adventure, Gets a Release Date and New Gameplay Trailer
Today, together with developer Tiny Roar, we are delighted to reveal the release date of our highly anticipated 3D action-adventure RPG, XEL, along with a new cinematic trailer previewing the game’s plot.
Crash landing on PC here on Steam and on July 12, 2022, XEL tells the epic sci-fi journey of Reid, a young woman who becomes stranded on a strange and exotic alien world. Together with her spirited sidekick Chap, Reid must utilize her ability to jump through space and time to discover the dark secrets of the planet on which she’s landed, and what her connection is to it.
Too excited to wait until July? Luckily, the first 30 minutes of this space odyssey can be played on here on Steam as a free demo.
Spaceship-wrecked on the striking, alien world of XEL, Reid must venture out and begin to piece together her broken memories. A callback to old-school top-down RPGs, XEL evokes the nostalgic spirit of classic Zelda titles. A true passion project from the devs, the world of XEL merges familiar ideas with updated mechanics, all woven together in an intense sci-fi mystery. The planet XEL holds a sinister secret, with darkness lurking across space and time. Aid Reid in solving the mystery of her history, lest both her and the world she’s somehow connected to be doomed.
Key Features of XEL:
Old School Meets New School: Retro meets modern in a classic top-down RPG gameplay style, and a well-crafted combat system comprised of different attacks, dodging, parrying, and clever gadgets
Adventure Through Space and Time: Explore the mysterious world of XEL and uncover its dark past, utilizing mind-bending time travel to unlock the secrets of the mysterious land
A Timeless Audiovisual Experience: Composed by Gidon Wolff, XEL offers a timeless soundtrack complemented by vibrant visuals, handcrafted by a passionate indie team
XEL launches on Windows PC via Steam and GOG July 12, 2022, followed by the launch on Nintendo Switch July 14, 2022. The grandiose adventure will launch on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Playstation 4/5 later this year.
To celebrate the Steam Next Festival, players will be able to play the first 30 minutes of the anticipated Indie action-adventure XEL. Be sure to be one of the first players to try the demo out.
XEL is a 3D action-adventure set in a sci-fi fantasy setting. Play as Reid, shipwrecked on the strange world of XEL. Without any recollection of her former life, it is up to you to unravel her past and connection to XEL. Ready your sword and shield as you explore the overworld of XEL and dive into imposing dungeons full of unforeseen threats and challenging puzzles.
The demo will be live until 7pm CET/10am PST/1pm EST June 20th, 2022.
XEL is scheduled to release on Steam in Summer 2022.
Play the new XEL Demo during the Steam Next Fest
To celebrate the Steam Next Festival, players will be able to play the first 30 minutes of the anticipated Indie action-adventure XEL. Be sure to be one of the first players to try the demo out.
XEL is a 3D action-adventure set in a sci-fi fantasy setting. Play as Reid, shipwrecked on the strange world of XEL. Without any recollection of her former life, it is up to you to unravel her past and connection to XEL. Ready your sword and shield as you explore the overworld of XEL and dive into imposing dungeons full of unforeseen threats and challenging puzzles.
The demo will be live until 7pm CET/10am PST/1pm EST June 20th, 2022.
XEL is scheduled to release on Steam in Summer 2022.
Sword in Hand, Battle through Spacetime in New XEL Demo - Now on Steam!
It’s time to embark on an adventure where uncovering your memories is as wondrous and exciting as exploring the alien world on which you’ve crash-landed. Our 3D sci-fi fantasy XEL is now on Steam with its very first demo. Jump into the action and get a taste of the adventure awaiting players on PC and Nintendo Switch this summer.
In XEL, you’ll take the leading role as Reid, an amnesiac traveler stranded in a mysterious world where only a painfully deep dive into her subconscious will unlock the knowledge needed to find her way out. The ability to jump through space and time doesn’t hurt, either! A love letter to classic Zelda titles, XEL melds sci-fi fantasy with the familiarity of old-school dungeon exploration, creating a marvelously enigmatic world full of challenging puzzles, fiendish boss battles, and brimming with witty characters.
See XEL in action in the newest teaser trailer:
Presented during Steam’s Indie Live Expo 2022, the newly released demo showcases the first 30 minutes of the highly anticipated adventure, including an exciting look into the first mini boss fight against the menacing “Overseer.” Paired with Chap, her spunky and spirited sentient mechanical companion, Reid confronts armies of robotic enemies, as well as her own cryptic past. What is her connection to this perplexing world, and how can she regain the memories she’s lost?
Features of XEL:
Old School Meets New School: Retro meets modern in a classic top-down RPG gameplay style, and a well-crafted combat system comprised of different attacks, dodging, parrying, and clever gadgets
Adventure Through Space and Time: Explore the mysterious world of XEL and uncover its dark past, utilizing mind-bending time travel to unlock the secrets of the mysterious land
A Timeless Audiovisual Experience: Composed by Gidon Wolff, XEL offers a timeless soundtrack complemented by vibrant visuals, handcrafted by a passionate indie team
XEL is available summer 2022 on Nintendo Switch and Windows PC via Steam and GOG.
The verdant adventure will launch on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Playstation 4/5 later this year.
Want to learn more about XEL?
Find more in-depth details in our latest Devlogs and Dev Diary, here on Steam:
New XEL Dev Diary: Go Behind the Scenes of our Sci-fi Puzzle-Adventure XEL!
Hey everyone! New here? We thought it would be interesting for you to have more in depth texts on different aspects of XEL so we wanted to provide this through all our Devlogs! This time, we wanted to go more in-depth with our level design philosophy. We hope you guys enjoy it!
Design Philosophy
The level design was very important to us, as it is a staple of any memorable Zelda game. Therefore, we will also have similar types of dungeon archetypes with our own twist on them. These archetypes being:
A gauntlet
A lock and key/puzzle
And lastly an exploration dungeon.
Every dungeon will challenge you differently. The first dungeon will be a mixture between a gauntlet and exploration dungeon, whilst the second one will be a puzzle dungeon with some horror elements to keep you on your toes. The last dungeon will be one where you will be tested on your mastery of the game. If you are not ready, this dungeon will gladly let you know.
The most important thing that we want to prevent is the player becoming bored. It was important to us that the world felt alive and not simply the meanest to an end. We wanted to make it so that even if it would be just a walking simulator, it would still be able to have a somewhat enjoyable experience simply from the level design alone. We didn’t want the player to be in a space that is only defined by the enemies and the mechanics within it.
Now of course you will have a lot more options at your disposal besides walking. You will have gadgets by your side that will make exploring a lot more interesting. We wanted to make it so that the levels are designed in a way that promotes you to use your gadgets. An example of this would be the webshooter. With this, you can maneuver yourself or boxes in order to reach otherwise inaccessible locations. This way, we hope to keep the levels interesting and reward the players who take their time observing their surroundings.
Whilst on the topic of exploring, we also wanted to prevent the player from feeling lost. One way we prevent this is by having landmarks that the player can orient themselves around. Every time you go somewhere unique, there should be something to remember.
Now these are more generalized rules for each room within XEL. When thinking about the individual rooms or even dungeons of XEL, we must know what the purpose of the area is before we do any form of designing. Therefore, it is important to make a list of design requirements for every part of the level, and once they are done you go to the drawing board. These requirements can be anything ranging from:
Are there story elements? Which enemies are there and how do they behave? What gadgets are available to the player? etc.
Once we have everything, we start with some really rough boxes, pretty much a 3d sketch. We then start playing it and get a grasp for the scope of the level. We don't do any art design up until the point where the level is done and tested. We have some other general rules for specific purposes. For example, if combat can occur within a level, we make sure that there are not too many obstacles in the way that the player can collide with to prevent frustration. These rooms would also be dressed more aggressively compared to puzzle levels, where you would have more of an overview of what you are doing. But other than that we try to stay flexible with rules as we feel that this allows for creativity and this environment promotes the most innovative ideas. We love to give each room the love and care it deserves with the limited time we have.
Art Philosophy
The main theme of XEL is that nature is claiming back man made things. So a lot of the levels would have an organic feel to them. We also wanted the player to experience different environments so you will not only be exploring XEL in a bright, sunny pasture. We wanted to have the stereotypical settings such as forest, ice, fire, etc. But adding a twist to it so that it would fit within the setting of the lore (which I am not allowed to spoil, sorry :C).
One of the main things we wanted to avoid was to be too repetitive, and we wanted to prevent the player from seeing the same things too many times. However, since we are working on this project with a deadline in mind we cannot create endless assets as they take a lot of time and effort to create. Therefore, we have to be smart when deciding if it is worth creating an asset for levels. The general way we have done so is seeing if the creation of a certain asset would improve the level because of it. For example, would it make it more unique or if you need one of the aforementioned landmarks to help guide the player. What we really want to prevent is that the scenery becomes too repetitive.
Things we learned
One thing we learned is that you really need to know the purpose as well as the puzzle mechanics of a level, area or dungeon before you even consider making anything for it. What does game design want from this area? Is there something important for the story? We found that without direction the levels did not feel inspired and while playtesting, players would not understand the purpose of the level as frequently.
Another thing we learned is that It's a process that never really ends. We never really want to close a ticket in terms of when a level is done. So we had to find a way to determine when a level is done, otherwise the game would never get finished. The solution came in the form of playtesting. As soon as an inexperienced player gets the idea and is able to navigate the level without guidance, we can say that we are done.
All in all, we hope that you enjoyed this little in depth look at our thought process for the level design of XEL.
You still want more?
Check out our recent devlogs and dev diary:
New XEL Dev Diary: Go Behind the Scenes of our Sci-fi Puzzle-Adventure XEL!
Additionally, hit the subscribe- and bell-button on Tiny Roar Games' official YouTube channel, to get notified about the latest video uploads for XEL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcHigwsBDjNhEcv_eusOTXQ
New Screenshots Revealed for our upcoming Sci-Fi adventure XEL!
Prepare for an adventure through space and time, as together with developer Tiny Roar, we bring an all-new view into the exotic world of XEL.
Coming this summer to Nintendo Switch and PC, XEL is an epic sci-fi journey that weaves striking visuals and the classic top-down RPG view with a mesmerizing story. A love letter to classic Zelda titles, XEL takes players on an adventure via the amnesiac hero Reid, charged with uncovering the mysteries of the alien planet she’s stranded on.
Stranded in an otherworldly land, Reid is tasked with unraveling her tangled web of lost memories and discovering the secrets of the mystical world of XEL. Together with her peppy companion, Chap, Reid will journey through treacherous dungeons, discover nifty gadgets used to solve time-bending puzzles and navigate a dense overworld filled with intriguing characters. The question is, are they friend…or foe? A dark mystery hangs in the air of XEL, powered by an endless cycle of peril. Will Reid be able to unlock the enigma of her past and end the cycle of torment for good?
See XEL in action in the recently revealed first-look gameplay trailer:
[previewyoutube="sNnzm8aJ4Mg;full"]
Features of XEL
Old School Meets New School: Retro meets modern in a classic top-down RPG gameplay style, and a well-crafted combat system comprised of different attacks, dodging, parrying, and clever gadgets.
Adventure Through Space and Time: Explore the mysterious world of XEL and uncover its dark past, utilizing mind-bending time travel to unlock the secrets of the mysterious land.
A Timeless Audiovisual Experience: Composed by Gidon Wolff, XEL offers a timeless soundtrack complemented by vibrant visuals, handcrafted by a passionate indie team.
XEL launches on Nintendo Switch and Windows PC here on Steam in Summer 2022.
The adventure through space and time all about the shipwrecked Reid will launch on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4/5 later this year. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1674640/XEL/
XEL Devlog #3: Gadgets, Concepts, Inspirations - The video-devlog!
Some has passed, but in this time, XEL-developer Tiny Roar Games was not only busy developing XEL, but also creating some awesome small devlog videos, to take you with them on their development journey, showcasing never before seen in-development gameplay, giving you insights in the function or some of Reid's amazing Gadget arsenal, as well as telling you, where some of their inspirations come from. Without further ado, grab a cool bottle of coke, or your preferred cup of hot tea, or coffee, lean back and enjoy the developer's journey in this big (video-) devlog of XEL:
Let's first have a look into the Gadgets Reid can use and also help you, the player, to overcome obstacles and even solve puzzles:
Let's start with the 'Snare Trap': [previewyoutube="rDhoS5jbsm4;full"]
Let's continue with the 'Zap Trap': [previewyoutube="_2WeFGD6bso;full"]
Followed by the 'Web Shooter': [previewyoutube="r3SUG6hfbGg;full"]
Talking about concepts and evolution - check out this video about the different (enemy) types of the 'Ding Bot' and learn about how to deal with them, when fighting them off with our main protagonist Reid: [previewyoutube="V0-vyDKw7bk;full"]
Jonas from Tiny Roar explains and shows the inspirations behind XEL's fast travel portals. Enjoy: [previewyoutube="t-NcgYIyQWg;full"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-NcgYIyQWg[/previewyoutube]
You want more?
Hit the subscribe- and bell-button on Tiny Roar Games' official YouTube channel, to get notified about the latest video uploads for XEL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcHigwsBDjNhEcv_eusOTXQ
Embark on a journey through space and time - New XEL trailer available!
Today, prepare for an unparalleled adventure through space and time as together with developer Tiny Roar, we provide a long-awaited first look at XEL, our picturesque action-slash-sci-fi game coming this summer to Nintendo Switch and Windows PC via Steam.
XEL’s latest trailer shows off the strikingly fluorescent landscapes awaiting players, as well as some of the game’s brain-bending puzzle levels and its core mechanic and most fascinating story element: time travel!
See for yourself what all of the XEL hype is about — watch the latest trailer here:
[previewyoutube="sNnzm8aJ4Mg;full"]
About XEL
A wondrous 3D sci-fi fantasy, XEL follows an amnesiac protagonist named Reid, who finds herself shipwrecked on a mystifying planet with no memory of who she is or where she’s from. During her quest, Reid will meet a cast of charming characters, engage in thrilling top-down dungeon-clearing combat, and of course, find and upgrade a whole arsenal of valuable items and tools — some of which may help her jump through space and time itself. As Reid delves deeper into the mysteries surrounding the world of XEL, she discovers an endless cycle of peril. Does she have the strength and courage to end the cycle for good, or will she too become trapped?
Features of XEL
Old School Meets New School: Retro meets modern in a classic top-down 3D action-adventure featuring a well-crafted and fun combat system comprised of, dodging, parrying, and clever gadgets
Adventure Through Space and Time: Explore the mysterious world of XEL and uncover its dark past, utilizing mind-bending time travel to unlock the secrets of the mysterious land whilst mastering the many challenging dungeons waiting to be explored
A Timeless Audiovisual Experience: Composed by Gidon Wolff, XEL offers a timeless soundtrack complemented by vibrant visuals, handcrafted by a passionate indie team.
XEL launches on Windows PC via Steam and GOG, as well as Nintendo Switch, in summer 2022. The verdant adventure also launches on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Playstation 4/5 later this year.
While you wait to get your hands on XEL, check out our publisher Steam page to pick up some amazing games for an excellent price — with select titles up to 90% off. — during our annual Publisher Sale.
New XEL Dev Diary: Go Behind the Scenes of our Sci-fi Puzzle-Adventure XEL!
Heading to PC and Nintendo Switch in Summer 2022 (and later 2022 to Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4 and Playstation 5), XEL is a vibrant and colorful action-adventure title inspired by iconic franchises like The Legend of Zelda — with a sci-fi fantasy spin and an incredibly sassy-yet-spirited main character named Reid. XEL will test your wit and reflexes whilst sending you on an emotional and deeply thoughtful journey through the mysterious world of XEL.
In today’s developer diary, Game Director Maurice Hagelstein and Game Designer Tom Erenstein take us behind the scenes with a look at the character creation process the studio went through before landing on the style we see today, as well as discussing their gameplay design philosophy and giving us a brief but tantalizing glimpse of what players can expect when the game drops next year.
Watch the brand-new, full-length XEL Dev Diary:
[previewyoutube="G5vT1lmeZdE;full"]
You have missed the previous two XEL Devlogs?
No worries, we got you covered. Find below the recently released two XEL Devlogs: XEL Devlog #1: Reid Character Design https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE3ZKQ2nnVU
XEL Devlog #2: 6 Pillars of Gameplay https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBH96in5Lis
About XEL
XEL follows an amnesiac protagonist named Reid, who finds herself shipwrecked on an enigmatic planet with no memory of her previous life. Players will join Reid as she sets out to get to the bottom of the mystery behind this bizarre land filled with secrets, puzzles, and a not-so-stable sense of time. Explore a beautiful overworld dotted with challenging dungeons in a classic, top-down, 3D action-adventure format steeped in a rich, vivid palette. During her quest, Reid will meet charming, enduring characters, engage in thrilling combat, and of course, find and upgrade a whole bevy of nifty items, gadgets, and moves — some of which may help her jump through space and time.
Developed by Tiny Roar and published by Assemble Entertainment, XEL will launch on Steam and Nintendo Switch in Summer 2022; the Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 will follow later 2022.
For the latest news and updates for XEL, wishlist XEL here on Steam:
XEL-enthusiasts! Thanks to developer Tiny Roar, we are able to share another great Developer Blog with you. This time, Tiny Roar is giving you an overview of the main pillars of our game XEL!
To give you a quick breakdown what to expect from the video, the main pillars of XEL are:
Exploration The main pillar that connects all other pillars!
Puzzles Hint: Unique Puzzles on two dimensions, rather than commonly on one.
Combat Parrying? Yep, right from the start. But there is so much more!
Story Play in your preferred pace, learn more while exploring and from talking to NPCs.
Dungeons A monumental experience, big dungeons should challenge the player to use all the learnings while playing on the overworld.
Crafting Upgrade weapons, potions recipes and more to help the player, getting another edge for the tougher opponents in the game.
But now, enjoy the full Developer Blog on YouTube:
