13Z News

Hey Zodiac Challengers, welcome to the very first Global Playtest for 13Z!

We just cracked open the doors to the Zodiac Trials, giving you an early sneak peek at our hack-and-slash action roguelike game inspired by the legend of the 12 Eastern Zodiacs. Step into the challenge and help us shape the adventure with your feedback and suggestions.

[h3]Watch the Global Playtest Trailer here:[/h3]
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

While co-op isn’t available in this build yet, please share 13Z with your friends—the more feedback we receive, the better we can fine-tune the game. If you're excited about what you see, be sure to wishlist 13Z too! :)

Now, let’s dive into what you can expect in this playtest build!

[h2]What Awaits You in the Global Playtest[/h2]
Take on the first act of the Zodiac Trials as one of the challengers gunning for the 13th Zodiac spot: Lyra the Fox also known as the Peerless Sword.



Unleash your unique abilities, boosted with upgrades and elemental powers collected along the way, as you tackle hordes of enemies. Face off against two formidable mini-bosses and gear up for the ultimate battle against the Goat Zodiac in the Act’s thrilling final showdown! If you stumble, don’t worry—there’s a welcoming village to nurse your spirits, so you can return to the trials stronger than ever!

[h3]Meet Your Adversaries[/h3]
The trials are not just about endurance and strength—they’re about strategy and skill. Practice your ‘perfect dodge’ against the heavy-hitting Gronks or show off your aerial combat prowess against the flying Cursed Lanterns.


Each enemy is designed to test a different aspect of your combat skills. But beyond these common foes, be prepared for more daunting battles ahead.

Goldcroak the Guardian of Day and Treasures, lurking within the waterfalls.

The Moth Queen, the Night Guardian, casting whirlwinds with her relentless wings.

The formidable Goat Zodiac, commanding his flurry of sheeps and barraging you with flying spears in the Act’s final battle.

[h3]Upgrades and Power-Ups[/h3]
Your journey through the Zodiac Trials isn’t just fraught with peril but opportunities for growth and power. Some upgrades appear upon clearing a level while pretty nifty perks are unlocked as permanent rewards for your past efforts in trying to beat the trials.

Elemental Scrolls: These are tied to elements that enhance your skills. While there will be more elemental choices in the future, the current playtest features the first three—Fire, Water, and Lightning—each with its own unique effect. Imagine leaving a trail of lightning with every dash, or summoning a fire spirit after executing your Special move. It’s your call!

Anvils: Customize your skills's attributes to better suit your play style. One of this dev’s favorite anvil upgrades is Falling Willows combined with the Secondary attack! ;)

Blessings: As you prove your worth, the 12 Zodiac Guardians may bestow blessings upon you… for a price.

Whether you aim for brute strength, agility, or strategic control, dive in and discover what works best for you!

[h3]Turtle Village: Your Sanctuary Between Trials[/h3]
If the trials knock you down, Turtle Village is where you stand back up to chill until you’re ready to jump back into the fray.

You’ll discover intriguing side quests, bump into future challengers like the Raven and Panda who aren’t quite ready to join the trials just yet and unlock permanent upgrades at the Cultivation Tree using Jade earned from your past attempts.


You’ll be greeted by Fu Xi, the volunteer custodian of the makeshift village. He’s cleverly created variants of his likeness to maintain order as we await the arrival of all the Guardians. Don’t be fooled by his youthful looks and demeanor—rumor has it he’s at least 500 years old!


Why is the village named Turtle Village? While we can’t spill all the secrets just yet, venturing beyond its bounds might give you some intriguing clues… ;)

[h2]Looking Ahead: The Road to Full Release[/h2]
This playtest is just the beginning. You're getting a firsthand look at our work in progress, complete with some placeholders and the occasional bugs. Apart from overall polish, here's what's on the horizon for the full game:

• A deeper roguelike experience with more impactful builds and meaningful choices;
  
• More playable characters;
  
• Co-op mode;
  
• Three more Acts, each set in unique landscapes guarded by their own Zodiac Guardians;
  
• A bustling village, full of new NPCs and quests to discover between Trials;
  
• More elements, skills, and abilities to experiment with!
  
• Game balancing and combat mechanics will be prioritized to enhance the overall player experience.
  

[h2]Share your Feedback[/h2]
We truly value your insights and suggestions at this stage, so please don't hesitate to share them with us. Along with the in-game survey, our detailed feedback form below offers more questions and space for you to freely express your thoughts and comments.

:excited_gq:FEEDBACK FORM: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScZRxXF2KrOoFn-zVi6TgMg2SY3jnVDzD6RdL_gQ6aW8fBPjw/viewform


[h2]Spread the Word and Stay Connected[/h2]
Sharing 13Z with friends and adding it to your wishlist are great ways to support our team. Every bit counts as we continue to build this game with the community. Chat with us on: Discord | Twitter | Tiktok

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2348250/13Z/

Thank you for joining us, and we hope you’ll enjoy your first dive into the world of 13Z.
Now, let the Zodiac Trials begin!

Craft with Love,
Mixed Realms

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Is this build representative of the final game?
There’s going to be a lot more content and improvements! Scroll up a little and read under Looking Ahead: The Road to Full Release.

Does the game support keyboard or controller?
We support both!

What controller models do you support?
We’ve fully tested the game using the following controllers: Xbox One, Xbox 360, DualShock and DualSense controllers. Most generic controllers are also supported natively or via Steam Input.

Does the game run on Steam Deck?
We’ve not done extensive tests yet but based on what we experienced, the game can run decently on Steam Deck from start to finish with the occasional frame drops.

I encountered a bug! Where can I report it?
The best place to report a bug would be through: Discord server as this allows our team to respond immediately while being able to categorize the reports under different tags.

I have some suggestions and feedback! Where’s the best place to share them?
You can respond to our online feedback form (there’s free text entry at the end) or drop us a message under the suggestions section on our Discord.

Are you planning to add more languages?
We currently support English, Chinese and Japanese. Currently, we don’t have plans to add more languages during the playtest period as we are still finalizing the content.

Until when is the playtest going to be available to the public?
We haven’t decided yet but we will make an announcement once we’re ready to close it… that would most likely be in preparation for the updated version with new content / co-op!

Heads up, Challengers! We're just two weeks away from our first Global Playtest for 13Z! Soon, you'll step into the Zodiac Trials and get an early glimpse of what our team has passionately crafted over the past year.

We’ll keep this post short and sweet so you can jump into the experience fresh. But don’t miss our last devlog featuring Lyra the Fox—she’ll play a crucial role in this playtest. 😉

[h3]We’re in the final stretch: squashing bugs, fine-tuning gameplay, and adding the finishing touches over the next couple of weeks.[/h3]

Controls are smooth - check!

Enemies are wreaking havoc - check!

Lyra is kicking ass - check!

We even got the playtest build to run on Steam Deck!
So far, so good.

Our Chief Happiness Officer and their new assistant are hopping on to give the game their paw of approval (hopefully, soon!).


[h3]Be Part of our Journey[/h3]
Your support means the world to us, and every wishlist, share, and comment makes a huge difference. If you haven’t already, please wishlist 13Z, spread the word to your friends, and gear up for an exhilarating experience when the update drops!

For more sneak peeks and updates, don’t forget to join us on our social channels below.
Discord Twitter Tiktok

See you in the Zodiac Trials in two weeks!

Crafted with Love,
Mixed Realms

Hey Zodiac Challengers!

Welcome to Devlog #02 for 13Z. If you recall, in our last post, we shared what 13Z stands for - the 13th Zodiac. We talked about the inspirations behind the game.

We also introduced the 13Z's premise: incumbent eastern Zodiac guardians searching for a new animal to join their ranks.

Today, we're thrilled to introduce the first animal challenger vying for the coveted 13th zodiac spot: Lyra the Fox. Join us as we delve into Lyra's backstory, explore her design evolution, and showcase her incredible abilities.

[h2]Watch our full devlog:[/h2]

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
Hailing from a prestigious clan of swordswomen, Lyra has always been a free spirit. Rather than conforming to her family's expectations of becoming an ordinary martial artist, she's chosen to forge her own path by entering the Zodiac Trials.



Lyra's rebellious nature and distinct traits inspired our initial sketches, leading to various designs that aimed to capture her essence. We grappled with questions like: Should we give her her big ears, bushy tail, or both?


Early on, we conducted polls on social media to gather your opinions. Using this feedback, we refined Lyra's look through multiple iterations, balancing her character traits with our fantasy art style.

To enhance player customization, we've created different color themes for Lyra, allowing you to personalize her outfit and truly make her your own.



[h2]Lyra's Combat Prowess & Abilities[/h2]

In battle, Lyra is a formidable opponent. Her primary attacks unleash a flurry of rapid slashes and a wide tail swing, perfect for cutting through waves of enemies with agility and precision.



Her secondary attack, a powerful upward slash, sends foes airborne, turning aerial combat into an art form. The combo ends with a swift and devastating spiral slash, delivering a forceful, twirling finale.



When the heat of battle intensifies, unleash Lyra's special ability: a dazzling barrage of phantom blade attacks that will leave hordes of opponents reeling.



True to her vulpine nature, Lyra can transform into a fox, allowing her to evade enemy attacks in the blink of an eye or scale high places in the maps. Advanced players can even use this transformation offensively, diving into enemies to deal damage.



As you progress, you'll unlock more abilities and builds, allowing you to tailor Lyra's growth to your preferred playstyle, ensuring each run feels fresh and exciting.

[h2]Exciting News: Upcoming Global Playtest![/h2]

We're thrilled to announce that we will be hosting a global playtest soon, and Lyra the Fox will be a playable character! You'll also face off against one of the twelve Zodiac guardians in an epic boss fight, giving you a taste of 13Z's fluid combat system and stunning visual style.

To be among the first to know when the playtest drops, join our Discord community. Stay connected through our social channels below for all the latest updates.

We can't wait to hear your thoughts on Lyra and 13Z. Your feedback is invaluable as we continue to refine and perfect the game.

Twitter | Discord | Tiktok

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2348250/13Z/

Don’t forget to add 13Z to your wishlist, spread the word to your friends, and help us bring this game to life!

Thank you for joining us on this journey. Stay tuned for more updates, and keep those swords sharp, Challengers!

Hey Zodiac Challengers!

Welcome to our first devlog for 13Z where we take you behind the scenes to explore the quirky origins, inspirations and some future plans for our game.

[h2]It All Started With.. Cats[/h2]
Believe it or not, we originally wanted to create a cat-themed action game because we've got a few cat lovers and pawrents in the team!

During one of our brainstorming sessions, a fascinating tidbit came up: the cat was famously left out of the Eastern Zodiac circle due to mythic rivalries and celestial twists of fate.


For those unfamiliar with the Eastern Zodiac, it comprises twelve animals—Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig—each governing a year in a 12-year cycle. These animals significantly influence the personalities and destinies of individuals born in their respective years. Unlike the Western Zodiac, which is based on monthly divisions and celestial constellations, the Eastern Zodiac assigns a year-long period to each sign, integrating both cosmic and earthly elements.


Intrigued by the legend, we thought: what if there was a 13th Zodiac? And what if it was a cat? What if this was a game about the incumbent Zodiac guardians looking for a new animal to join their ranks?


This idea quickly grew legs - or rather, paws. As we deliberated, our Chief Happiness Officer, a lovable cavapoodle, looked up at us with big, soulful eyes. In that moment of cuteness overload, we thought, "Why stop at cats? Why not include other animals too?" One thing led to another, and our Zodiac game expanded to encompass a whole array of animal spirits.

But you might ask - why is our first character not a cat but a fox? Well, that's a tail… we mean tale… for another time. ;)

[h2]Our Vision for 13Z[/h2]

13Z is a bold blend of oriental mythology and whimsical fantasy that places our studio's love for fast-paced, stylish and fluid action at its core.



Beyond grounded combat, we're also focusing on choreographing moves that make use of the level verticality and aerial combos. Yes, we're huge fans of DMC.



Our character designs and concepts are another area that we're thrilled about. Each Challenger has unique skills, with some able to transform into their spirit animal forms as part of their combat abilities.



We believe a great game is best enjoyed with friends, so co-op will be a key feature of 13Z. Players can find synergistic builds with their teams to tackle challenges together.



Though not shown in our early gameplay video, we're also working on a village that players can upgrade to enhance their abilities in future runs, while interacting with NPCs and fulfilling some side quests. We’ll share more details about this once the mechanics are finalized, but it's an area we're very excited about.


Finally, as with any great roguelike experience, variety and choices matter. We're working on synergistic upgrade systems within and outside of the Trials to design satisfying progression paths for different characters and builds.

Permanent upgrades can also be unlocked using persistent currencies earned from the Trials. From new skills and characters to Village upgrades and run modifiers, these persistent improvements will enhance your strategies and keep each attempt fresh and exciting.



That's right, Challengers! We're currently crafting a demo of 13Z as we'd love for the community to have a meaningful part to play in building a game that we would all want to play together. Expect to see it in a few months—we can't wait to share our progress and hear your thoughts.

If you'd like to be one of the first to know or to be part of our closed demo, please join us on Discord.

Stay connected and share your feedback through our social channels.

Twitter | Discord | Tiktok

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2348250/13Z/

Don’t forget to add 13Z to your wishlist, tell your friends and help us bring 13Z to life!

Thank you for joining us on our journey!

Crafted with Love,
Mixed Realms

Hey Zodiac Challengers!


​
We're thrilled to announce that 13Z will be showcased in the first ever Steam Anthro Festival, happening from Jun 6 - 10! It's an opportunity for us to showcase our brave animal spirit challengers to a broader audience.

We’re still in the early stages, but there's a lot of exciting updates brewing! We can't wait to share more behind-the-scenes with you as we continue to build 13Z. Be sure to join us in Discord too, this is your chance to get an inside look at how 13Z comes to life!

ICYMI - we also released a poll to select our Key Art style in our last post. Cast your votes if you haven't yet ;)



As usual, we always want to hear from you! If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to reach out to us through our social channels below. We love engaging with our community.

Twitter | Discord | Tiktok

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2348250/13Z/

And last but not least, if you haven't already, please consider adding 13Z to your wishlist on Steam and share it with your friends :) It would really mean a lot to us.

Thank you for joining us on our journey!

Crafted with Love,
Mixed Realms