Anuchard is a single-player action RPG developed for PC that blends dungeon crawling, puzzle solving, and light village management. Players take on the role of the Bellwielder, armed with the magical Audros Bell, in a story of restoring a fallen sky kingdom through exploration of a dangerous underground realm known as the Dungeon.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on venturing into the Dungeon from the surviving village of Orchard. Combat relies on the Audros Bell's knock-back effect to strike enemies, reposition foes into hazards, or clear paths. The same tool serves as a puzzle solver, allowing players to launch objects, shift blocks, and interact with environmental elements in creative ways to progress through winding passages filled with wild magic and monsters.
Progression involves rescuing lost villager souls scattered throughout the Dungeon. These souls return to Orchard via a revival ritual, where each new resident adds practical benefits such as farming produce, preparing meals, or providing herbal support. Players gather ingredients from the village to cook meals that aid deeper expeditions. The five Guardians await confrontation at key points, each encounter revealing more about the kingdom's past while testing mastery of bell mechanics against increasingly complex layouts.
Game Modes
Anuchard offers a single continuous campaign focused on story-driven dungeon exploration. There are no separate multiplayer options or alternate modes. The experience unfolds as a linear sequence of Dungeon runs that grow in depth, with village upgrades from revived residents providing incremental advantages for repeated ventures. Puzzles and combat encounters scale alongside the need to confront each of the five Guardians in turn.
Story and Setting
The narrative follows the collapse of Anuchard, once a floating paradise protected by five Guardians. After their betrayal, the kingdom crashed to earth, leaving only the Orchard island intact while the rest formed the hazardous Dungeon. Generations later, the Bellwielder emerges as the chosen figure tasked with awakening the Guardians and lifting the kingdom back into the skies. Side activities in Orchard emphasize community rebuilding, turning rescued souls into contributors who support ongoing Dungeon expeditions through resource production and preparation.
Is It Worth Playing?
Anuchard suits players who enjoy compact indie action RPGs with integrated puzzle and exploration elements. Steam user reviews stand at Very Positive, with 87 percent approval from 93 total reviews. The title released in April 2022 and remains available as a complete experience without ongoing seasonal content. Those drawn to bell-based combat innovation, gradual village expansion, and uncovering the Guardians' backstory will find a focused adventure that rewards careful use of the central tool across its dungeon layers. The short campaign length makes it accessible for completion in a few sessions while still offering replay value through achievement hunting and optimized runs.
