Lost Relics

Lost Relics is a fantasy action RPG set in the mystical world of Talmuth, where players embark on quests to uncover ancient artifacts, battle dangerous creatures, and protect the townsfolk from various threats. Powered by Unity and integrated with blockchain technology, the game features ERC-1155 Ethereum-based relics tied to Enjin wallets, allowing players to permanently own, buy, trade, and sell unique items in a 2D scrolling adventure with direct control mechanics.

Lost Relics: Review

Introduction

In the shadowy underbelly of Talmuth, where ancient relics whisper secrets from a forgotten cosmic war, players don their armor and venture into procedurally generated realms teeming with peril and promise. Lost Relics, released in 2019 by the indie studio Codebit Labs, isn’t just another action RPG—it’s a bold experiment in digital ownership, blending the addictive loot-chasing of classics like Diablo with the revolutionary permanence of blockchain technology. As a game historian, I’ve seen countless titles flirt with innovation, but few have woven player agency into the fabric of the economy and progression as deeply as this one. My thesis: Lost Relics stands as a pioneering artifact in the play-to-earn era, rewarding risk with tangible value while grappling with the grind that defines its roguelike soul, ultimately carving a niche legacy in blockchain gaming despite its solitary development hurdles.

Development History & Context

Lost Relics emerged from the mind of Cliff Cawley, a veteran programmer with over two decades in the industry, including stints crafting games for platforms like Xbox, PlayStation, Wii, Android, and iOS. In 2019, Cawley founded Codebit Labs as a one-man operation in Australia, channeling his full-stack expertise—and a passion for art and design—into this ambitious ARPG. Built on the Unity engine, the game launched in early access on May 23, 2019, for Windows and Macintosh, targeting a free-to-play model augmented by optional memberships via “Power Pendants.” This solo endeavor was born amid the nascent blockchain gaming boom, as cryptocurrencies like Ethereum gained traction and platforms like Enjin promised to tokenize in-game assets as NFTs.

The era’s technological constraints were twofold: Unity’s robust 2D tools enabled smooth diagonal-down scrolling and random generation, but integrating ERC-1155 Ethereum standards for blockchain items required bridging volatile crypto networks with stable gameplay. Gas fees for transactions (using ETH) and transfer costs (ENJ) added real-world friction, a deliberate design choice to mirror economic realism but one that could alienate newcomers. The gaming landscape in 2019 was dominated by loot-driven ARPGs like Path of Exile and battle royales like Fortnite, yet blockchain was fringe—think CryptoKitties clogging Ethereum. Cawley envisioned Lost Relics as a gateway: a familiar fantasy hack-and-slash infused with true ownership, where relics from “The Deception War” could be traded on external markets like Enjinx. Development has been iterative, with monthly updates addressing community feedback, from skill overhauls to events like Halloween 2020’s spooky coin hunts. The roadmap teases co-op and full release by late 2025, but as a solo project, progress has been steady yet unforgiving, reflecting the indie spirit against Big Tech’s polish.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

At its core, Lost Relics eschews linear storytelling for an emergent epic rooted in lore-soaked world-building. The plot unfolds in the northern realms of Talmuth (later expanded to Lunaria in updates), a land scarred by the “first eon”—an age of clan prosperity disrupted by the eruption of Mount Olkepth and the ensuing “long winter.” Players embody nameless adventurers, thrust into a tavern hub where quests beckon: scour dungeons for artifacts, slay beasts terrorizing townsfolk, and unravel the remnants of “The Deception War,” a interstellar cataclysm between two ascended alien races that scattered powerful relics across the universe.

This narrative is delivered piecemeal through item descriptions, environmental storytelling, and quest logs, creating a tapestry of themes: impermanence versus permanence, greed’s double edge, and the allure of forgotten knowledge. Relics aren’t mere loot; each bears a lore snippet— a Transcendent sword might recount its forging in cosmic deceit, its buffs symbolizing warped intellect. Characters are archetypal yet evocative: grizzled quest-givers in Talmuth embody resilient folk wisdom, while monsters like the shadowy Skulks or ethereal Nereids represent corrupted elemental forces from the war’s fallout. Dialogue is sparse but punchy, delivered via direct control interactions—think terse warnings from a fisherman about “Chompur-infested waters” that tie into scavenging quests.

Thematically, the game probes ownership in a digital age. Blockchain relics (Uncommon to Transcendent rarities) embody permanence amid roguelike loss: die in a dungeon, and virtual gear vanishes, but your NFT stinger or ingot endures, tradable for Shadowstones (convertible to ENJ crypto). This mirrors the Deception War’s loss—knowledge scattered, yet recoverable by the bold. Subtle critiques emerge: events like Christmas 2020’s bounty hunts satirize consumerism, while the player-driven economy underscores community as the true “clan.” It’s not Shakespearean depth, but the lore’s modular delivery fosters replayability, inviting players to piece together histories like archaeologists unearthing Talmuth’s ruins. Flaws persist—quests can feel tutorial-esque early on, and the absence of voiced dialogue limits immersion—but the themes resonate, especially in a post-NFT crash world questioning virtual value.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Lost Relics thrives on a punishing yet exhilarating core loop: prepare in Talmuth’s hub, select an adventure (randomly generated from billions of variations across zones like Ash Woods or Olkepth Caverns), scavenge resources, battle foes, and extract to bank loot—or perish and lose it all. This roguelike ARPG hybrid demands strategic inventory management; adventures restrict item rarity tiers, preventing overpowered runs and forcing trade-offs between potions, tools, and weapons. Combat is fast-paced and direct-controlled, supporting gamepad (PS5 preferred by some) or keyboard/mouse, with diagonal-down 2D scrolling evoking Zelda meets Diablo. Melee swings, ranged shots, and special attacks (upcoming upgrades teased) require dodging patterns—target weak points on a hulking Ogum or kite Slithers in swamps—while bosses like Netherdemons introduce deadly mechanics, from AoE blasts to minion swarms.

Progression layers on skills (Fishing, Mining, Woodcutting, Alchemy, Engineering, Cooking) inspired by RuneScape, leveling via repetitive but rewarding tasks: mine for ingots in caverns or fish for Bron Trout to craft healing meals. Blockchain integration elevates this—drops like a Scorpion Stinger (one of 5,000 NFTs) carry real value, tradable in the Royal Emporium for Gold Coins or Shadowstones. The UI is intuitive yet dense: a clean inventory grid, real-time market listings, and Enjin wallet linking for transfers, though gas fees add tension (ETH for transactions, ENJ for developer support). Innovative systems shine in permadeath stakes—death penalties include losing equipped gear, amplifying risk-reward (e.g., pushing for faster clears to maximize hourly loot). Flaws abound: early grinding feels tedious post-initial highs, skill shakes-ups have sparked complaints (e.g., nerfed free maps making leveling “impossible”), and the MMO lobby enables co-op teases but lacks full multiplayer yet. Pets assist in combat, outfits/wearables customize aesthetics without paywalls, and events (e.g., Siege of Stormwall) inject variety with limited rewards. Overall, it’s addictively strategic, blending time management with lottery-like drops, though the grind tests patience.

World-Building, Art & Sound

The world of Lost Relics—spanning Talmuth’s misty plains, Trayl Woods’ tangled thickets, and Odenspire Sands’ scorching dunes—feels alive through procedural mastery, with each adventure a unique blend of biomes, ruins, and hazards. Rooted in fantasy with sci-fi undertones (relics as alien war debris), it evokes a post-apocalyptic mythos: crumbling clan halls nod to the long winter, while Mount Olkepth looms as a volcanic scar. Atmosphere builds immersion via dynamic events—spirit worlds during Halloween, guardian beasts in Primeforge trials—making exploration a hunt for secrets amid 4 billion map variants.

Visually, the 2D scrolling art is gorgeous yet minimalist, leveraging Unity for vibrant pixel-inspired sprites: lush greens in Shallow Swamps contrast shadowy Olkepth Caverns, with relics glowing ethereally. Character customization via outfits (no gameplay edge) and wearables adds flair, while monster designs—from cute-yet-deadly Mallows to imposing Wardens—populate the Monsterpedia with tactical depth. UI elements like the Emporium’s market board integrate seamlessly, though dense tooltips can clutter mobile-like screens.

Sound design amplifies the tension: a orchestral-fantasy score swells during boss fights, punctuated by visceral slashes and monstrous roars (e.g., a Grod’s guttural bellows). Ambient noises—rustling leaves in Ash Woods, dripping caverns—enhance solitude, but combat audio lacks variety, with repetitive hits risking fatigue. Pets chirp or growl for companionship, and events layer festive jingles (Christmas carols amid slaying). Collectively, these elements forge a moody, rewarding experience: the world’s procedural vastness encourages discovery, art/sound underscoring themes of loss and reclamation, though polish could elevate it from solid indie to standout.

Reception & Legacy

Upon 2019 launch, Lost Relics flew under mainstream radar—no MobyGames critic score, sparse Steam presence (a 2023 trademark dispute highlights its obscurity)—but garnered cult praise in blockchain circles. Player blogs on Hive lauded its addictive loop: one streamer amassed $7 in NFT value in days, calling it a “rush” of risk-reward; another praised the living economy over NPC vendors. Commercial success is modest—free-to-play with membership upsells (Power Pendants for exclusive content)—yet the Enjin integration pioneered play-to-earn, predating Axie Infinity‘s hype. Updates like 2020’s Halloween event (spooky drops via Medium announcements) sustained engagement, though complaints about nerfs (e.g., scarce resources in free maps) tempered enthusiasm.

Over time, reputation evolved from niche curiosity to blockchain beacon. By 2023, amid crypto winters, it’s hailed for sustainability: collapsing item supplies (destroyed NFTs rarity-boost survivors) and real conversions (Shadowstones to ENJ) influenced titles like The Sandbox. Industry impact is profound—normalizing NFTs in ARPGs, inspiring Enjin Multiverse rewards in events like Epochrome 2025. Yet legacy tempers with caveats: solo dev constraints delayed features (co-op pending), and volatility (ENJ fluctuations) scared casuals. As a 2019 artifact, it endures as a testament to indie innovation, influencing Web3 gaming’s shift toward meaningful ownership over speculative bubbles.

Conclusion

Lost Relics masterfully fuses ARPG familiarity with blockchain boldness, delivering procedurally rich adventures, a vibrant player economy, and lore that elevates loot to legend. Cliff Cawley’s solo vision shines in its risk-laden loops and thematic depth, though grinding pitfalls and integration hurdles prevent perfection. In video game history, it claims a pivotal spot: a trailblazer in play-to-earn, proving digital relics can hold real weight. For blockchain enthusiasts and loot hounds, it’s essential—8/10, a timeless gem amid ephemeral trends. Download it, link your wallet, and claim your piece of the Deception War; just don’t die trying.