While the world of gaming continues to explore graphical limitations, virtual realities, and the question-laden streaming of games through a Chrome browser, many players are enjoying whatever system they happen to own whether it be a modern unit or one of the past. There is a whole subset of players that enjoy older consoles and with that comes a group of developers creating games for those systems. This is why I have enjoyed retro gaming so much. Each day, I discover or hear about a hidden gem worth finding, an unreleased game’s rom being uploaded online, or homebrews and rom hacks that take classic designs further. There is innovation to be found in limitation and Candelabra: Estoscerro, an NES dungeon crawler, has innovation in spades.
Being shown off at PAX East, Estoscerro is a part of a larger fantasy project by Sly Dog Studios, a group that has been putting out NES homebrew games for many years. Each of the games in the Candelabra series explores various points in an overarching sword and sorcery narrative and each game explores a different style of game. According to their website, the idea stems from the developer messing around with the PS1 version of RPG Maker.
Pouring through the manual, which can be found in the game or on their website, it is immediately apparent that there has been a lot of care put into the story and the mechanics at work. The game seems complex in its setup, as there are a lot of options in combat, but the control scheme actually lends itself to the design. The aforementioned unique control scheme actually involves using two NES controllers, one in each hand held vertically. The thumbs rest on the D-Pads with most actions being done on the arrows or with the Start and Select buttons. The A and B buttons are left for seldom used actions.
Candelabra: Estoscerro can also be played with a modified Virtual Boy controller, which the developers seem to enjoy quite a lot. On an emulator, of course, buttons can be mapped to whatever controllers are available, but controllers with more symmetrical designs fit the game in my opinion.
Combat is less about picking actions on a menu and more about utilizing timing and blocking incoming attacks. There are multiple areas on the screen designated for particular information and I recommend at least scanning over the manual before braving the dungeons. There is a bit of patience needed for Estoscerro, as it’s not the type of pick-up-and-immediately-understand game that made the NES an instant icon. Stick with this one for maximum enjoyment.
Overall, it’s amazing to see that the NES is still being used to explore game design. Truly Sly Dog Studios are pushing the system and interpreting its capabilities with a mastery that can only be achieved through passion and determination. It is an exciting time in which NES homebrew can stand beside the latest PS4 games with each of them having value for players and the artistic medium of video games.
We also asked a few questions of game’s publisher, K3VBOT’s Homebrew Highlights.
What value do you think games created for older systems has for players and video games as an artistic medium?
“Homebrew NES gaming is a labor of love and passion. The value comes in multiple forms, the biggest for me being emotion. We all grew up. We all had games and toys that we will never forget. Homebrew gaming allows us to relive our childhood, a time when things were easier, again. It gives us an opportunity to bring back those memories, and create brand new memories all in one shot. Memories that maybe we can even pass on to the next generation.”
What has been the most exciting aspect of creating this particular game?
“The most exciting aspect of the Candelabra: Estoscerro journey has been the response. Homebrew games have been made for the NES for just about the past 15 years and the evolution of homemade material has grown off the charts. Today we bring Candelabra: Estoscerro to the table, a game like no other. We have showcased it at game expos, and events. Every single time we have a great response, and it pushes us to keep moving forward. Seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they hold an NES controller again, sometimes for the first time in 20-years, makes it worth it.”
Why do you think Retro Gaming remains so popular?
“I think retro gaming remains so popular because of the emotional attachments. Everyone recognizes the popular characters from their favorite series. Games in those franchise are continuing to grow like we are, but it’s fun to go back and explore our roots. The nostalgia factor is unreal. There is also the collecting factor to consider and the mentality that makes us want to explore even more.”
The game’s Kickstarter has just launched and it will be on the show floor for PAX East next to Full Quiet, another NES game that’s also coming to PC from Retrotainment Games.
For more information check out the simple, but effective website for Sly Dog Studios which has a downloadable archive of their previous work and demos.
