Timo’s Castle (2024)
a COMMERCIAL game by ‘Pixelbrei Games’ for Commodore 64
Written for BrewOtaku #003 by Usman A. Khan
This is a game that went through a few naming changes due to copyright issues before settling on its current title. ‘Timo’s Castle’, produced by ‘Pixelbrei Games’, is a heartfelt homage to the 1984 classic ‘Henry’s House’ by ‘Chris Murray’. Capturing the spirit of the original, it feels like a true modern-day sequel.
HEY AMBER, ARE YOU OK!?
The game draws heavy nostalgic inspiration from ‘Henry’s House’, blending modern game principles with a bright and vibrant graphical style. With only eight levels, each distinct in look, the game captivates players with its engaging graphics and personal touches. Music interludes and graphical effects are triggered when collecting specific items, beautifying the game further. We can tell a lot of passion has gone into making this game. A nice touch is the inter-level cutscene showing Timo walking from one room to the next. However, the absence of a graphical introduction is a slight drawback. The story follows Timo, an honourable prince who inherits a cursed castle where his girlfriend Amber disappears. To progress, Timo must collect all items in each level to reveal a key that unlocks the exit.
Gameplay is fun, with spot-on control mechanics, though figuring out which parts of the game world are safe to walk on requires guessing. Few levels also feature light trigger-based puzzles. The inclusion of endless continues allows most players to actually finish the game, but those who finish it in one go are rewarded with a cool end screen.
Lastly, two difficulty modes — normal and easy — give players the option to switch things up as per their liking.
Conclusion
With its charming gameplay, Timo’s Castle is a must-play for every C64 gamer, celebrating the legacy of Henry’s House. There’s a wide variety of stellar sound effects and the different challenges make this game absolutely unmissable and a top 2024 Commodore 64 game.
