In TSIOQUE players take up the role of the titular princess, who is captured and imprisoned in the castle of her ancestors by an Evil Wizard, who casts a powerful spell over it. This, though, is one fiercely independent young lady, who has no intention of waiting for someone to rescue her. She elects to get her hands dirty, improvising with a gutsy — and altogether risky — escape plan. Her will to escape this accursed place makes for a less than traditional fairytale. There are unexpected twists, the apparently straightforward story of ‘girl escapes spellbound castle’ begins to unravel, revealing hidden layers and unexplored themes that take the player well beyond its fantasy story-book setting.
Gameplay is subtly-inspired by magical hits from the past: Dragon’s Lair, Indiana Jones and The Fate of Atlantis, Day of the Tentacle or Heart of Darkness. Progress is based squarely on the player’s interactions with the environment, with numerous possibilities hidden throughout stunning locations, all illustrated with an impressive amount of unique animations. This attention to detail contributes to a production of great depth. One that finds plenty of time for humour, yet frequently visits darkness and offers all comers an array of exciting challenges. The decisions made need to be thought about, carefully, as the wrong moves can have dire — and often hilarious — consequences.
TSIOQUE is available now via Steam. For further information on the game and its creators, please visit Ohnoo Studios
