DEVILS : THE BORUTA REVENGE is an action indie RPG adventure game for PC that recreates the look and feel of classic Commodore 64 titles through its strict 16-color palette and straightforward mechanics. The game blends arcade logic puzzles with light role-playing progression across a campaign of 44 levels, where players guide devilish characters through increasingly complex environments while managing resources and character growth.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on navigating levels by stepping on floor tiles to transform them into impassable voids, forcing groups of devils toward designated portals in the first 35 stages. Each step alters the terrain permanently, requiring careful path planning to avoid trapping the devils or creating dead ends. New obstacles appear as levels advance, offset by power-ups that grant temporary advantages such as extra mobility or defensive options. In the final nine levels set in Hell, the focus shifts to direct combat against demons, with opportunities to eliminate all enemies, upgrade stats through collected items, and craft equipment to prepare for the boss encounter. RPG elements include a basic story progression, demon battles, item collection, crafting systems, character stat development, and skill acquisition that influence combat effectiveness and survival. The retro visual style limits the palette to the exact 16 colors of the original C64 hardware, while high-score tracking records both fastest completion times at the end of a run and maximum scores at the conclusion of each level, supporting speedrunning attempts.
Game Modes
Players engage with the full single-player campaign structured around the 44 levels, progressing sequentially from the initial portal-guidance phases to the Hell-based combat sections. Score competition occurs through two persistent categories: Fastest Time, recorded upon completing the entire game, and Max Score, updated after every individual level. This setup encourages repeated playthroughs to optimize routes and combat efficiency without introducing separate multiplayer or alternative modes. The design remains speedrunner friendly, allowing precise timing and route experimentation within the fixed level layout.
Story and Setting
The narrative unfolds at LucicCastle, where the banished devil Boruta launches a revenge plot by dispatching hordes of minions to seize the stronghold. Players arrive to repel the invasion, clear the invaders from the castle grounds, and ultimately confront Boruta after strengthening their character in the depths of Hell. The story integrates directly with gameplay through the shift in objectives across the two main level blocks, providing context for the portal challenges and the later extermination missions without relying on complex branching or dialogue trees.
Technical and Accessibility Details
Built as a debut project by a solo developer, the title emphasizes authenticity to 1980s hardware constraints while adding modern conveniences such as English and Polish language support. The limited color scheme and simple animations preserve the intended retro atmosphere, with plans noted for future pixel art improvements in transition sequences. No additional platforms beyond PC are confirmed, and the experience stays contained within the single campaign structure.
Is It Worth Playing?
Fans of retro-inspired indie titles that combine puzzle logic with light RPG progression will find a focused experience in the level-by-level advancement and stat-building systems. The two high-score categories provide ongoing motivation for optimization, particularly for those interested in speedrunning or perfecting runs. Availability on PC allows easy access for players seeking short, replayable sessions centered on strategic movement and combat preparation. The game suits individuals who appreciate straightforward mechanics drawn from older hardware limitations rather than expansive open worlds or frequent content updates.
