Untold Tales of Citadale: The Shadow Maker is an indie RPG adventure developed for PC. Players take on the role of Gabriel Dorleac, a veteran hunter of the undead, as he enters Citadale Castle to confront the source of a new darkness known as the Shadow Maker. The game blends top-down 2D exploration with combat that draws from classic JRPG structures, all presented in retro pixel art that evokes the mid-1990s aesthetic.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on navigating interconnected areas within and around the castle. Exploration follows metroidvania principles, where progress often depends on acquiring new abilities or items that open previously inaccessible paths. Players encounter vampires, demons, and zombies throughout these pixel-art environments, each location rendered with detailed, atmospheric backdrops accompanied by eerie soundtracks.
Combat occurs in encounters that use timer-based turns. This system requires players to act within set time windows during battles, adding a layer of timing and decision-making to the JRPG-style fights. The protagonist handles most threats alone at first, though the narrative hints at situations where assistance becomes necessary. Controls support keyboard, any standard controller, or mouse-only input, though key bindings remain fixed.
Progression involves clearing undead threats while uncovering the castle's secrets. The limited system requirements mean the game runs on modest hardware, focusing attention on the deliberate pacing of movement and encounters rather than technical demands.
Game Modes
The experience consists of a single-player campaign structured around the main story. There are no separate multiplayer options or additional modes beyond the core adventure of exploration and combat. Players advance through the castle and surrounding lands at their own pace, managing resources and abilities gained during the journey.
The structure emphasizes sequential discovery, with combat encounters integrated into the exploration flow. This keeps the focus on the narrative of Gabriel confronting the Shadow Maker and the undead plague without branching into competitive or cooperative elements.
Story and Setting
The plot follows Gabriel Dorleac, who has spent years eliminating undead after returning from Citadale Island. A fresh shadow now threatens the castle, prompting his return despite the risks. The setting draws on classic horror tropes with vampires, demons, and zombies emerging from darkness, all rendered in a consistent retro visual style.
Environmental storytelling appears through the pixel-art locations and the progression of abilities that reshape how players traverse the map. The tone mixes straightforward action with moments of self-aware humor in the source material, such as Gabriel's initial overconfidence in handling threats alone.
Is It Worth Playing?
This title suits players who enjoy retro-inspired indie RPGs with metroidvania exploration and timed combat systems. The pixel art and soundtrack create a cohesive nostalgic atmosphere that appeals to fans of 1990s-style games. With only a single user review available on its primary distribution platform, reception data remains limited, indicating a very small player base since its October 2023 release.
Those seeking a short, focused single-player experience with fixed controls and modest hardware needs may find it worthwhile. The game offers no ongoing updates or seasonal content, presenting a complete, self-contained adventure at launch. Potential buyers should note the mature content description regarding limited demonic nudity that serves no central role in the experience.
