The Count Lucanor

Version: US Format: NoNpDRM

Step into a dark, fairy-tale nightmare inspired by classic retro classics and European folklore with The Count Lucanor on the PlayStation Vita. Assume the role of Hans, a young boy who lives in a poor village and sets off into a mysterious, enchanted forest on his quest for riches, adventure, and a proper name. When he stumbles upon a sinister castle ruled by a strange kobold, Hans is pulled in...

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🎮 Game Description

Game Overview

The Count Lucanor is an adventure-puzzle game developed by Baroque Decay and published by Merge Games (with physical distribution via Signature Edition Games) for the PlayStation Vita. The core gameplay heavily channels 16-bit retro aesthetics, combining top-down exploration with suspenseful stealth mechanics. Inside the castle, players must light candles to illuminate dark corridors, hide from patrolling creatures, collect items, and solve environmental riddles.

Drawing heavy inspiration from classics like The Legend of Zelda, Yume Nikki, and Silent Hill, the game's narrative revolves around temptation and morality. Depending on how Hans interacts with the castle's strange inhabitants and solves its trials, the story branches into several distinct endings accompanied by a haunting chiptune soundtrack.

Quick Specifications

Platform: PlayStation Vita (PS Vita)
Release Date: September 2018 (North America / Europe)
Genre: Adventure, Puzzle, Horror, Indie, Retro
Developer: Baroque Decay
Publisher: Merge Games / Eastasiasoft
Players: 1 Player (Single-Player)
Play Length: Approximately 4 to 6 hours
Region Format: Region Free (Digital via PlayStation Network / Physical Signature Edition)

Key Features

Dark Fairy-Tale Narrative: Unravel an unpredictable story of greed, temptation, and morality inspired by classic European folklore.
Suspenseful Stealth & Exploration: Navigate a shifting castle, avoid grotesque monsters, and use stealth tactics to survive when direct combat isn't an option.
Resource Management: Manage your dwindling supply of candles to light your way through pitch-black rooms, knowing that darkness hides deadly hazards.
Multiple Endings: Make critical moral choices throughout your journey that drastically alter the fate of Hans and lead to different game conclusions.
Portable Retro Atmosphere: Enjoy charming 16-bit pixel art aesthetics and a melancholic chiptune score optimized seamlessly for the PlayStation Vita.

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Q: Is The Count Lucanor a traditional combat-heavy action game?

A: No, the game focuses primarily on puzzle-solving, exploration, and stealth. Hans cannot fight monsters head-on; instead, players must sneak past enemies, lay traps, or use the environment to stay alive.

Q: How do candles work as a gameplay mechanic?

A: Candles act as your primary light source in dark areas of the castle. Because your inventory of candles is limited, you must strategically decide when to illuminate rooms and when to risk navigating in total darkness.

Q: Does the game feature multiple save points and branching paths?

A: Yes, players can save their progress using gold collected in the game, and the narrative features multiple branching outcomes based on your decisions and puzzle solutions.

Q: Was the game released physically on cartridge for the PS Vita?

A: Yes, alongside its digital release on the PlayStation Network, The Count Lucanor received a highly prized physical collector's release through partners like Merge Games and Signature Edition Games for physical enthusiasts.