Chalice of Highland - Download

The good stuff

The visuals are a perfect mix of nostalgic and fresh. The way the screen flickers slightly during dream sequences, or how the color filters actually make it feel like you’re playing on a real Gameboy? That’s not just cosmetic - it deepens the mood. I remember standing at the edge of a cliff in the third dungeon, the sky fading to that soft greenish tint, and suddenly I was ten years old again, hunched over my brother’s old GBA. The controls are tight too - jump, slash, and glide feel responsive without being over-the-top. And the boss fights? Each one has a distinct rhythm, like the first one where you dodge circular energy waves while trying to land a hit. It’s tense, fair, and satisfying when you finally beat it.

The not-so-good

It’s still a demo, so obviously there’s no full story or ending yet. You can’t play past the fourth dungeon, and some of the enemy patterns get repetitive after a few tries. Also, the game doesn’t save your progress between sessions unless you’re logged in - which might bug people who don’t want to create an account. And yeah, it’s not available on Steam yet, so if you’re used to that ecosystem, you’ll have to go through the developer’s site. Not a dealbreaker, but a small hassle.

Bottom line

If you’re into retro-style platformers with soul, Chalice of Highland - Download for Windows is absolutely worth adding to your radar. The demo’s solid, the aesthetic is top-tier, and it feels like a genuine love letter to classic Gameboy games. It’s free to try, and even though it’s not fully released, the vibe is strong. So if you’ve got a soft spot for pixel art and slow-burn adventure, keep an eye on it. Don’t sleep on this one.