Roguelikes are totally dominating the indie game scene lately, but this new one from Mixed Realms looks like a worthy addition to the genre, to say the least. 13Z: The Zodiac Trials sees players teaming up to hack and slash their way through a celestial trial of power. With a roster of upcoming characters, this looks set to be a fun, replayable time, perfect for solo or co-op combat sessions.
Embark on a quest to become the 13th Zodiac in this frantic hack-and-slash roguelike action adventure. Take on a celestial trial of grit, speed and power, and rise stronger after each fall as you upgrade your skills. Your trial awaits!
During the latest Xbox Asia Developer Session, we got a sneak peek at the wider gameplay of 13Z: The Zodiac Trials, which looks like a challenging new, fast-paced roguelike. Players will be in the heat of the action thanks to a stylized hack-and-slash combat system that rewards speed. Players will also be able to experiment with builds, choosing styles that they either love or do the most damage.
Over time, Mixed Realms will also be adding new characters with their own signature combat styles and unique abilities. At present, the game has four challengers on its roster. Each features their own animal spirit, which allows them to transform during trials as well. That zodiac theme is just purely aesthetic but plays a larger role in the game’s design.
During the session we were able to submit questions for the team, which they generously answered. Ours included asking the following:
Q: Loving the style! What games inspired the design of 13Z? Do each of the characters differ much?
A: “Thanks so much! If you’ve seen some of our earlier games, they leaned into darker themes and even a bit of gore. With 13Z, we wanted to try something different. The art style uses lighter palettes with hand-painted details, while maintaining clear and crisp silhouettes and details even during fast-paced combat.
We took inspiration from the world-building of Legend of Zelda: BOTW/TOTK, where small environmental details hint at the world’s origins. We also looked at AFK Journey for its clean silhouettes and color choices, then toned everything down to give it a more painterly feel.
And yes, the characters are all pretty distinct in design, personality, and abilities. For example, the first two are basically north and south of each other. Lyra the Fox is free-spirited and playful, which shows in her modern-inspired outfit that contrasts with the ancient setting. Sylith, the Raven, has a more traditional look with darker tones and subtle motifs that reflect his brooding personality. We’ll be expanding on this even more as we introduce future characters like the Panda.“
Players will be able to take on the trials in single-player or 2-4-player online co-op, allowing you to invite your friends to take on the trials together. Teaming up with players running different builds could really add a new level to this roguelike’s design, which I’m looking forward to exploring further.
While we don’t yet have an exact release date, the devs are aiming to release the game in Q2 2026. There is, however, a playtest live on Steam right now, should you want to give it a go early. You can wishlist the game on Steam and follow 13Z: The Zodiac Trials’s development on Twitter and TikTok. This is looking like a great game to team up with some friends to play!
