Classic platforming meets dismemberment combat in Balkadia, a "classicvania" that recreates the 8-directional whip from Super Castlevania IV as your sole weapon. This whip slices foes, blocks attacks, fires projectiles, and hurls objects while you battle giant bosses with shifting forms across 15 varied levels. No bottomless pits or instant deaths challenge your retro skills in a world of Slavic symbols and mythical beasts like Leshy and Baba Yaga.
Stop the evil wizard Mirev from sacrificing your son to summon the child-eating monster Yaga and avert doom. Optional upgrades ease difficulty and boost replay value, with speedruns clocking in around 90 minutes and first runs lasting 3-5 hours based on skill. Graphics scale from 4K assets for sharp play on PC, including ultrawide up to 32:9-perfect for fans mastering that whip mechanic.
Balkadia features classic platforming, dismemberment combat and giant bosses with multiple forms. This is not a metroidvania, it is a "classicvania" inspired by Super Castlevania IV.
The 8-directional whip has been faithfully recreated and is your only weapon in the game. It cuts through enemies, acts as a shield, shoots projectiles, and can throw objects.
Balkadia does not have bottomless pits or one-hit deaths, but will still test your retro skills.
The evil wizard Mirev is hell-bent on resurrecting Yaga, the Slavic monster that eats children. He kidnapped your son and intends to sacrifice him for the summoning ritual. His success would mean the end of the world.
In Balkadia you will stumble across many Slavic symbols and face off against famous monsters from Slavic mythology, including Leshy and Baba Yaga.
You can speedrun the game in about 90 minutes, but your first playthrough will take 3-5 hours, or more, depending on your skill. Balkadia features 15 levels, all quite different from each other. It also includes optional upgrades to make the game easier and add replay value.
Every graphical asset in Balkadia is made with 4K in mind, then scaled down when playing in lower resolutions. The game also supports ultrawide monitors up to 32:9.
Balkadia is mainly inspired by “Super Castlevania IV”, the only Castlevania with 8-directional whipping. If you are a fan of this mechanic, then Balkadia is for you.
Players unfamiliar with SCV4 may have a hard time with the 8-directional whip, but unless you master it, Balkadia will seem very hard to you.
Hopefully this helps you make an informed decision.
