Fair Dinkum, This Roguelike RPG Wants You to Find Your Own Brain! Blanksword Demo & Kickstarter Out Now
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Jeff's excited about *Blanksword*, a brain-bending roguelike RPG where you play as an angel solving your own murder and recovering lost memories, praising its unique genre blend, quirky premise, and strong indie pedigree with a demo out now.
Right, so picture this, mate: you’re an angel, right? Floating about, doing your angelic thing, probably contemplating the ethereal nature of existence or whether you left the oven on in heaven. Then, BAM! Someone stabs you in the head. Brain obliterated. Memories? Gone, like a spell that fizzled a bit too hard. And somehow, you *survive*. Now, you're tasked with solving your own bloody murder and piecing your grey matter back together, all while navigating islands run by none other than "Literally God." If that doesn't sound like a Tuesday after I've been experimenting with reality-warping incantations again, I don't know what does.
This delightful slice of digital chaos is called *Blanksword*, and I've been tinkering with the news all morning, and fair dinkum, it’s wilder than it first appeared. It’s a roguelike RPG – a combination that, let’s be honest, usually makes my eyebrow twitch a bit. Roguelikes thrive on repetition, dying, and starting fresh, while RPGs often lean into narrative permanence and character progression. They’re like trying to mix oil and… well, something else that’s not oil. But the fine folks behind *Blanksword* seem to be brewing up something truly interesting, blending these two seemingly contradictory genres in a way that just might work a treat.
What *really* grabbed my attention, beyond the sheer audacity of the premise, is the narrative hook. Playing as Blank, an amnesiac angel hunting down his own killer (and his missing brain parts, because why not go for a full set of existential crises?), feels less like a typical RPG quest and more like an elaborate, divine jigsaw puzzle. Every run isn't just about gaining new abilities or better gear; it's about potentially uncovering another fragment of *who you are*. That, my friends, is the kind of storytelling loop that makes me lean in a bit closer. It’s the human (or angelic, in this case) story behind the corporate announcements – even if it’s an indie announcement.
Now, about that genre mashup. The original article from Rock Paper Shotgun, which gave me the initial heads-up on this gem, mentions that the reviewer initially missed the roguelike element but found it blended nicely. And that, I reckon, is the secret sauce. Many games claim to combine genres, only to end up with a lukewarm stew of half-baked ideas. But for *Blanksword* to pull off a roguelike *and* an RPG – especially with such a strong narrative backbone – suggests some seriously clever design at play. It’s not just about what happens, it’s about *why* it matters that it's happening this way.
Visually, *Blanksword* has that unmistakable "one of those" indie RPG vibes. You know the ones – a bit abstract, a touch unsettling, with an art style that sticks with you long after you’ve stopped playing. Think along the lines of cult classics like *Hylics*, *Felvidek*, or the granddaddy of them all, *OFF*. And speaking of *OFF*, that connection is more than just thematic. One of *Blanksword's* directors, Quinn K., was the original translator for *OFF*. Not only that, but *OFF* creator Mortis Ghost himself is responsible for *Blanksword's* absolutely lovely key art. And if the Kickstarter really blows past its goals, Mortis Ghost might even design an entire area of the game. Now that, mate, is a pedigree that gets my wizard robes rustling with anticipation. It shows a deep understanding of the aesthetic and narrative niches that resonate with players who seek out the truly unique.
Mechanically, the combat is turn-based, which feels right at home in an RPG, but the roguelike twist comes from the dynamic acquisition of moves. Apparently, there are "hundreds" of moves, equipment, and items that vary from run to run. This means each attempt at solving your heavenly whodunit will feel fresh, pushing you to adapt your playstyle – a core tenet of any good roguelike. But the real brain-tickler (pun absolutely intended) is the "Angelic Brain Parts." See, since Blank doesn't have a fully functional brain, you collect these parts, each restoring a specific ability. One might let you intimidate enemies, another gives you a keen sense of smell (useful for sniffing out foul play, eh?), or perhaps the ability to haggle like a seasoned market wizard. You keep these brain parts forever, providing a brilliant sense of meta-progression, but you can only equip a few at a time for balance. It’s a smart way to intertwine narrative progression with mechanical choices, giving weight to your discoveries beyond just bigger numbers.
So, what's the deal right now? Well, the good news for the curious gamer (like yours truly) is that there's a demo out on Steam *today*. No need to just take my word for it or wait for a full release. You can dive in, piece together a fragment of Blank's past, and see for yourself if this unique genre brew is to your taste. Plus, there’s a Kickstarter campaign live, which, if successful, will bring this wonderfully bizarre vision to full fruition. As ever with crowdfunding, a touch of gentle skepticism is always wise, but given the talent involved and the intriguing concept, I’m leaning heavily into the optimistic side of chaotic enthusiasm here.
The team has conservatively estimated a 2027 release window, which feels a lifetime away but also gives them ample time to ensure this brain-bending adventure is polished to a celestial sheen. *Blanksword's* distinct indie RPG vibe certainly positions it for a future fanatical following – a thing that's often both a blessing and a curse for a development team. But for now, let's focus on the blessing. A unique premise, an innovative genre blend, and a demo to play right now? Sounds like a bloody good reason to get excited, if you ask me.
You can wishlist *Blanksword* and try out the demo on Steam. This analysis was inspired by reporting from Rock Paper Shotgun.
Tags: Indie Games, Roguelike, RPG, Kickstarter, Game Demo
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun