A brand-new Game Boy Color game called Essencelord has been officially revealed by solo developer Tyler Lombard and his team of freelance collaborators. The retro-style action RPG is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign, while a playable demo is already available through itch.io.

Essencelord is designed as a loot-focused adventure inspired by classic action RPGs. Players take on the role of either a Warrior or a Wizard and explore dangerous regions filled with enemies, puzzles, secrets, and valuable equipment.

The game’s limited inventory is central to its design. Players cannot carry a large collection of items and may hold only five pieces of gear at a time. This means every discovery requires a decision about whether to equip new equipment, replace something already owned, or leave the item behind. The Warrior and Wizard offer different ways to approach combat. The Warrior specializes in close-range attacks, defense, and absorbing damage, while the Wizard relies on long-range abilities and magical attacks. Lombard hopes the contrast between the two classes will encourage players to replay the adventure using a different style.

Essencelord is planned to include three regions and more than seven explorable zones. Players will solve puzzles, uncover secret areas, collect items with different rarity levels, complete side quests, and battle a variety of hostile creatures. Boss encounters and additional endgame content are also planned for players who want to continue after finishing the main campaign. Other announced features include skill customization, gear enhancement, a reputation system, and multiple side activities. The combination of class choices, limited equipment, and different upgrades is intended to give the game more replay value than its compact Game Boy Color format might suggest.

A release date has not yet been announced. If the Kickstarter campaign reaches its $4,500 funding goal, supporters are expected to receive access to a limited-edition physical Game Boy Color cartridge, alongside additional rewards. The free demo can be played directly in a web browser without downloading anything. According to Lombard, it contains nearly 70 percent of the content planned for the game’s first region, giving potential players a substantial early look at Essencelord before deciding whether to support the project.