Codex of Divine Beasts is a single-player indie RPG that combines turn-based combat with beast collection and roguelite progression in a xianxia setting drawn from the Classic of Mountains and Seas.
Gameplay
Players assemble teams of spirit beasts for 3v3 battles that unfold in turns. Success depends on matching elemental affinities, chaining skills into combos, applying status effects, and activating blessings at the right moments. Each beast carries distinct abilities and follows its own growth trajectory through training and evolution, allowing squads to adapt across different encounters. The Five Elements system governs interactions: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth interact through generation and overcoming cycles, rewarding teams that maintain balance rather than relying on a single type. Exploration occurs through roguelite expeditions where maps branch, random events appear, and serendipities or blessings alter the run. These elements combine into a loop of collection, preparation, and repeated attempts at challenging fights within a hand-drawn 2D pixel world that spans locations such as the Fumu Plains and the Guixu Abyss.
Game Modes
The core experience centers on roguelite expeditions that reset with each attempt while preserving collected beasts and their progress. Battles remain strictly 3v3 turn-based affairs against AI opponents, with no separate competitive or cooperative modes listed. Runs emphasize variety through branching paths, event choices, and the need to refine team composition on the fly. Single-player focus means all progression and decision-making stays with one player across multiple expeditions.
Beast Collection and Progression
Collection draws directly from mythical creatures in the Classic of Mountains and Seas. Each beast offers unique skills and multiple growth paths that players shape through training. Evolution expands capabilities, while the Five Elements framework encourages experimentation with different combinations to counter specific threats. Status effects and blessings add layers to team building, turning individual beast strengths into synergistic squad strategies over successive runs.
World and Presentation
The setting draws from traditional Chinese xianxia themes rendered in hand-drawn 2D pixel art. Environments range from open plains to deep abysses, providing visual variety that supports the exploration loop. Pixel style keeps the focus on readable combat information and beast designs rather than high-fidelity detail.
Is It Worth Playing?
The game targets players who enjoy turn-based strategy, creature collection, and roguelite repetition. Its systems reward careful team composition around the Five Elements and adaptation during runs. As an upcoming title with no released version yet, it carries the typical risks of early development, but the described mechanics align with established preferences in the indie RPG space for those seeking deliberate combat and repeated expedition play. Availability will be on PC once released.
