Here we go with Kraino Origins. Add this to your Halloween Indie Game countdowns, because it’s got enough spook for the whole community. This game feels like it was made from the plucking of my own seasonal heartstring, with its borderline creep-fest color scheme and environment. Slash your way through constant monsters, zombies, and ghouls in this 2D platformer that spans 8 bosses–now out on Steam!
Kraino Origins – What Is This Magic?
So, the idea here is: “what would happen if you took the classic indie game Shovel Knight and filtered it through grim undertones and replaced the knight and shovel with a psychopomp and scythe?” I honestly didn’t even realize that this is what Kraino Origins is until I did some research online. Why is this significant?
Well, I think it is because I’ve never really played any other games that really executed this effectively–to my knowledge? Once immersed in the game though, I found myself bouncing on zombies’ heads galore because the whole game is built around this. In fact, I insist you know this because this comparison is crucial!
But just in general, this is a very good game, and not too creepy.
I didn’t really think a lowly gamer like myself would come out of this one with honor, but, once again, my experiments paid off. I highly encourage watching the video real quick if you’re on the fence or stuck.
Guide/Tips for Kraino Origins
There are a few things to know about Kraino Origins. Let me break them down.
BOSS (Slurmp):
I struggled hard for the first boss. I’m not an expert platformer, but what I eventually discovered is that if you use the analog stick to orient and then bounce on the boss’s head (with some slight timing) you can take him down fairly easily.
This is not obvious at first though, and it’s really just enough to get you through the first part of the game only. Since there are about 8 final bosses, you’ll need to figure out how this timing works as you go along.
If this fails, it’s possible that this technique has been patched, as the dev has informed me that I’m the first to have played it this way! As for now though, it works, so take from it what you will. It’s possible to beat Slurmp without this technique too, just use good timing.
ITEMS & WEAPONS:
Collect coins, shards (they kind of look like broken tokens or moons), and abilities/weapons–purchased from a hidden in-map vendor. These will all help you get through the level and help you take down the boss a lot faster.
Note: There are also checkpoints on every level, including before–at least–right before the first boss. These are very helpful because there are surprises around every corner which you might not survive! (At first.)
MOBS:
There are a few different types and functions of mobs in Kraino Origins.
One is your standard mob, executed by a fell swoop of your scythe one or two times. There are also the ones who a head bounce progresses the precision aspect of the platformer better. Then there is the kind of mobs that are, to be honest, kind of annoying and depend on your ability to time attacks and be in the right place.
That’s it
Anyway, that’s about it for Kraino Origins. It just so happened that my pals over at Indie Game Collective are showcasing it, so it absolutely had to go up on my Halloween list (which you can get to by going to my front page. until October 31st, 2022) It really is a very polished spooky platformer, and if you’re throwing a party or doing a Twitch stream, I highly recommend it! It’s currently only $9.99 on Steam. Here is a link to the game on Steam below:
