Guardian Realms
A downloadable game
A world once defined by strategy and cards is now reimagined as a full-fledged adventure!
Guardian Realms is an open-world, choice-driven pixel RPG set to be the main line game series of it's own namesake, Guardian Realms. Originally created as a trading card game, for the first time, players will experience this universe from a completely new perspective. Not as a duelist at the table, but as a character within the world itself.
A Fresh Perspective on a Deeply Rooted World
In the TCG, players controlled powerful Guardians, waging battle across a three-lane battlefield. In the RPG, the stakes are more personal. You step into the shoes of Artha, a young Captain of the Rythguard Empire, swept up in the growing conflict with the Carrowlands Rebellion. As you explore the world, your choices will uncover hidden truths, and determine Artha’s place in the war.
This isn't just a retelling of Guardian Realms lore. It's a deeper dive into its people, struggles, and untold stories. Players will engage in turn-based combat, interact with faction leaders, and uncover long-forgotten secrets of the world that were only hinted at in the original TCG.
An Absolute First-Time Game Development Journey
This project is more than just a game. It’s my first attempt at game development, period. Before this, my only experience with Guardian Realms was designing its TCG, and I had never used RPG Maker MZ or any game engine before. Every map, NPC, and battle system has been built from scratch as I learn along the way.
Expect an evolving experience with hand-crafted mechanics, evolving storylines, and continuous refinement as I navigate the complexities of RPG development for the very first time.
What to Expect
Story-Driven Adventure! I'm hoping for this game to offer branching storylines shaped by your choices. Really customize the journey of Captain Artha.
Turn-Based Combat! Inspired by classic JRPGs, with mechanics influenced by the TCG. You'll rely on your party members to empower you with buffs, deal damage, and use various items native to Guardian Realms to keep you alive!
Faction Warfare! This game focuses on the conflict of the Rythguard Empire vs. the Carrowlands Rebellion. One of many within this Realm... Choose your path!
Exploration & Quests! A handcrafted world filled with side quests, hidden lore, and dynamic NPCs. I hope to make the world feel as if it's ever-evolving as I learn RPG Maker!
RPG Maker MZ First-Timer! Expect ongoing development, updates, and growing features as I refine the game.
This is a personal passion project that started back in 2023, from a love of world-building in Guardian Realms and has now recently transformed into an interactive RPG. If you love deep lore, player choice, and the adventure of discovering an indie game in real-time as it’s being built, this is for you.
Join me in shaping the world of Guardian Realms from a brand-new perspective!
Download
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Development log
- Demo v0.013 days ago
Comments
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Played the Demo Version of the game. Has the makings of a great game, the game really puts you directly into the story, letting you explore an open world, but, with limited interactability due to it being a demo. WARNING: This review does have spoilers in it. So dont read it if you want an authentic experience.
The game starts out with Artha, the Knight of the Free Kingdom, waking up in a tent and heading out to free the Broken Bridge joined by his companions Jessika and Stefan. The Group encounters various enemies from the Carrowlands, like Archers, Swordsmen, Elites and eventually leads you to find Tomas in a tent who joins your party. You then face off against theC Carrowlands Leader of the Broken Bridge Zack Briar who you beat and kill to finally liberate the Broken Bridge.
This lets you get some time off provided by the Governor himself, which then transitions into Chapter 2 where u return to the home of Artha where you get to interact with his Ma and Da and get to perform a number of quests in and around the town. There's also an easter egg for Billie Eilish called Billie Island where you get to behead and bring back the head of a rogue Gang Leader who is corrupting the lands around your town.
The chapter ends with the Carrowlands invading Artha's town and the cool thing about the game is it allows you to save the people you like. or just let them die at the hands of the carrowlands soldiers. This demo version is cool because you get to decide the ending of the game, you can either get a big F A T GAME OVER screen OR you can decide to join the Carrowlands Army and Gareth 'The Hill' and go on a free roam of the entire world map.
Overall a fun experience that takes you about 1.5hours to finish if just reading it in your mind, or about 3-4hours if youre goofing off and Voice Acting with friends in call.