Have you ever dreamed of escaping to a peaceful life in the middle of nowhere? The charming old-school RPG Call of Elyndra offers you that opportunity—but true peace must be earned still.
The debut project of the Quorum Games will guide you to the cozy village Elyndra, where locals are suspicious of newcomers, yet are revealed to be nice and kind-hearted people nonetheless. Taking control over one of three protagonists, you will have to earn the trust of the villagers and secure a plot of land to call home. However, the tranquility won’t last for too long as tensions with the hostile Empire rise, pulling you into a brewing conflict.
The developers describe Call of Elyndra as a blend of classic SNES-era RPGs like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and the Ys series, combined with the relaxing vibes of games like Stardew Valley and Harvest Moon. In Call of Elyndra the players will have the freedom in the gameplay style. Answer the call and become a legendary adventurer, or ignore it to embrace a quiet life as a humble farmer with a thriving vegetable patch and a favorite cow—the choice is entirely yours.
While the demo version gives only a small sneak peek at what the full version of the game is going to be, it already looks very promising. The handmade pixel art is beautiful and reminiscent of the charming classic GBA games. The locations are vibrant and inviting, brimming with interactive elements. From trees and rocks to flowers, nearly everything can be used—whether to enhance your own land or to trade with the locals.
Preparing the field for gardening and planting the vegetable indeed reminds of the classic Stardew Valley farming. However, each action here earns experience in a specific field, allowing players to improve their character’s gardening and gathering abilities. Water and fertilizers are essential for healthy crops, just as love and attention are; thus, players will have to keep an eye on their plants every now and again. According to the developers, the cattle will demand even more investment, but the adorable pixelated animals should make every moment and coin spent on their well-being feel worthwhile.
For those who prefer the company of people, there are plenty of NPCs to interact with. While players control only one of the three protagonist adventurers, the other two become companions who are always by their side and play a significant role in quests. From the very first few moments, it’s clear how distinct they are—not just in appearance, but also in their worldviews and behavior. And this attention to detail goes beyond the main characters. Villagers have unique looks and behavior too, and it will be possible to build a friendship with them through the revealed relationship system.
Through the contents of the demo, the combat system appears quite dynamic, offering players the choice between melee and long-range attacks, with the ability to dodge and utilize special items. A skill progression system and equipment management—staples of the RPG genre—are also present. However, while the battles are engaging in their current form, they still feel a bit clunky and could benefit from further refinement. Despite this, the combat remains entertaining and shows great potential for improvement.
The first dungeon available isn’t just a chain of dark rooms, but a place filled with its own secrets. To successfully pass through it and save a village girl, you will have to solve a few puzzles and even use bombs to break through walls. Along the way, traps and monsters will put your skills to the test. However, the journey is rewarding, as you’ll leave with valuable treasures in addition to your hard-earned victory.
Besides the gameplay features and side activities like fishing, the game promises to have a deep lore, inspired by the different cultures and ancient religions. Moreover, the main storyline is said to have more than 30 hours of gameplay. It sounds like a great promise, but the quality of the story and text in the demo gives hope that those are not empty words.
The release date for the full game is yet to be announced, but the demo should be arriving soon in the public access. Prepare to experience the first hour of gameplay, plant your first potato, explore the first dungeon, and even encounter the game’s main antagonist.
