QUEST FOR THE X
A downloadable game for Windows, macOS, and Linux
🏆 2023 Playdate Community Awards: Outstanding Visual Achievement in a Pulp Game Winner!
"I like the look of this game... this looks incredible!" - Hello Playdate Podcast
"Alot more involved than you would think for a game that costs $2!" - Destination Playdate
NOTE: This game is fully playable with or without a Playdate handheld. You can download the Playdate Desktop Simulator bundled with the SDK for free here.
If you like what you see, and are hungry for more, please support Quest For The X and leave a comment please! Comments are a major inspiration for doing further work.
GAME DESCRIPTION:
Set initially in 14th century France, Quest For The X places you in the role of Guy de Canet, a Knight Templar living during the final days of the order. Racing against time and the plot of King Philip to destroy the Templars, you soon come to realize there is more at stake than just the order itself. Control over powerful artifacts, knowledge of life's true origins, and the fate of mankind itself are revealed to you in the course of this epic and expansive retro adventure.
This, the first chapter of the game is being released for only $2!
BACKGROUND ON THE GAME:
Having a love for Indiana Jones, The X-Files, Oak Island, religious artifacts, cover-ups, conspiracies, and alien encounters, I began designing Quest For The X in late spring of 2023 after breaking my ankle mountain biking in New Zealand and finding myself with plenty of free time and zero excuses.
A retro-style story-driven adventure, the game pays homage to others which have gone before it, and many from my childhood including: Pitfall II: The Lost Caverns (Atari 2600), Conan (Apple IIe), The Return of Heracles (Atari 800), Bruce Lee and Zorro (C64), Out Of This World (SNES), and Space Quest 3, The Secret of Monkey Island, and Indiana Jones & The Fate Of Atlantis (PC).
Quest For The X is my second game for Playdate, written with Pulp, and my intention is now to move to Lua + the SDK to complete the full game. See below how you can help!
It also is the second game created in collaboration with BeepsNBoops, who produced the inspiring sounds and songs featured in the game. Working with him on the development of these worlds for Playdate has been a gift.
Purchase
In order to download this game you must purchase it at or above the minimum price of $2 USD. You will get access to the following files:
Development log
- V4.2 UploadedFeb 24, 2024
- V4.1 UploadedFeb 06, 2024
- V3.13 UploadedDec 14, 2023
- AI-Assisted Cover ArtSep 02, 2023
- V3 UploadedAug 21, 2023
- V2.1 UploadedAug 21, 2023
- Minor FixesAug 01, 2023
- Beta Testers NeededJul 08, 2023
Comments
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Just wanted to mention that I consider this game one of my favorite gaming experiences of all time. I'm very interested in the story and I love the setting of templar knights, so I'm super pumped to see where it ends up. Good luck!!
I am thrilled by your enjoyment of this small installment of a much larger epic! And truly, I'm fueled by this most of all when making games. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Between this chapter and chapter two, I've been working on another game named Pine, which should be completed soon. Chapter two of QFTX has been worked on in the background over the past year, but I'll look to put full focus on it soon.
Hope you like what's coming next!
I’ve bought the game long ago and I finally had time to play it. I just finished the first chapter and I want more! If you managed to get out of Pulp and started with Lua hopefully it will run even better.
Thanks for the positive comment! The second chapter (and the general scope of the entire plotline) have been planned, and it's one of three games currently in the works. I've struggled to find a suitable coding partner to work with, but this would get things accelerated with Lua.
Enjoying Quest for the X, looking forward to more!
Btw, I love that your Dang!Soft logo is an homage. Bet not many folks pick up on that!
Thank you and glad to hear! The second, larger chapter of QFTX has been scripted out and I looking to go into development later this year. I'm currently working through coding the second half of an unrelated thriller-adventure named Pine, which is currently in beta testing. Excited for upcoming releases to show you!
You are actually the first to mention the nod to a now defunct video game company from the 80s in the logo... very nice! The second half of the name is also an homage to a certain individual from Preston High School in Idaho...
Just wanted to let you know that I completed making a guide for your game! If there are any sections in which you want to change or edit you can easily do so on the Playdate Wiki here.
Hey cool! Nice work.
thank you for making some corrections on the guide ♥️
Just finished the first chapter and I'm eager for more. This was a fun retro-type adventure. When do you think the next installment will be available?
Thanks for playing and posting! I have the second chapter scripted and designed and am trying to find a coding partner to work with so that is can be implemented in Lua instead of in Pulp, which the first chapter utilised. It's actually pretty hard to find a reliable partner IMHO, even if I've tried to do so using freelancers.
In the meantime, I have been working to complete a separate game in Pulp that should be done in the next month or two.
Always just kind of skirted around the edges of itch, keeping to myself and not being active with comments or anything really. But I had to get on here to say I need more of this, like, yesterday. Not saying I expected it to be bad, but I was surprised by this bite sized offering of what looks to be the beginning of a potentially sweeping epic and I am here for it. And, being a history freak who really hasn't much interest in this particular order of monks, I've found myself caring about the Templars and their plight more than I ever expected I would. So now, for strictly selfish reasons, I have to say: "Keep up the good work!"
And thanks, of course.
You're very welcome and thank you so much for your well-wrought and generous post. I always hope that my games and stories are creating memorable experiences for others, and it is support like yours that fuels me to continue creating. I hope you continue on with Guy de Canet in his journey as that epic unfolds.
Help please, I can't figure out the drowning part and sharp object...
Hi there. You'll need to find some more air while swimming the final half of the underwater chamber. You'll need a sharp object to find that air, but you won't be able to use your sword as it's too heavy to swim with. Try to use your sword to create a sharp object in the underground meeting room instead.
Little help here? All I can seem to do is stick a strap on a bucket with a scrap of vellum in it and throw it in a well for no reason. Other than that, I'm completely stymied.
I have put the next action on pastebin to avoid a spoiler here:
https://pastebin.com/HXXgQEfH
Looks like you worked it out! Happy questing and feel free to message me here if you get stuck again.
Thanks, but I'm still stuck: having exactly the same problem as st-fisch, below.
Did you use the PD crank?
Ah. Yes. I seem to have forgotten about one of the Playdate's main features. Thanks.
Happy questing!
I bought this game from the Playdate catalog today. I love the style!
Are there any hints online? I'm haven't found the Templar meeting yet.
I worked out the next part. This is really good fun.
Thanks for your support and feedback! There are no hints online but feel free to send me a message if you get stuck. Happy questing!
I completed chapter one today. There's so much packaged up in this game! I really enjoyed it. Thanks for making it.
I am so glad to hear you enjoyed it-- your comments inspire me to continue creating.
I tied the strap to the bucket, put it in the well, put the vellum in it, returned to inside the chapel, and closed the doors, but still nothing is happening. What am I missing
If the bucket it still sitting at the top of the well, attached to rod and handle, you'll need to do something else with it for it to serve its purpose of communicating to someone at the bottom...
So this game will find itself on the playdate catalog? If so, I will wait to buy. I want to be able to make sure my money goes to panic and you at the same time. 😁
Thanks for your support!
FYI... it's up on the PD Catalog as of this past week.
I actually bought it within 30 Minutes of it's release 😀 I was scrolling catalog when they updated it. So I bought this and 6 other games.
So far, I absolutely love it! Fantastic game!
Thanks so much! I really do appreciate the support as it's what inspires me to make more games. I hope you enjoy questing!
A very detailed and suspenseful first part, I look forward to playing more! Classic adventure gameplay with impressive presentation.
Thanks so much for purchasing, playing, and offering feedback! I'd love to get started working on the next chapter soon.
Great looking environments!
Thanks so much! I hope they immerse you in the world.
I heard about your game on the Hello Playdate Podcast btw - they were very complimentary! =]
Thanks for mentioning! https://sites.libsyn.com/412607/fun-in-the-sun-core-fault