Nox Archaist (2021)

Developer: 6502 Workshop
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Genres: RPG
Rating: 4.2 of 5, 60 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 5.1 hours
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A deliberate, nostalgic journey through a pixelated realm where you methodically explore dungeons and towns, manage a party, and engage in turn-based combat with classic 8-bit charm.

old schoolturn-basedretroatmosphericexplorationstory richmoderate difficultypixel graphics

What players say

Players who grew up on 80s Ultima games praise Nox Archaist as the only worthy successor, but many find the tiny, blurry Apple II font unreadable even with options. There is heavy debate over the severe input delay some report, with fans saying it is part of the authentic experience while others call it game-breaking.

Screenshots

More games like this

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.