If you’re anything like me, you’re tired of the endless string of “retro-inspired” RPGs that do little more than slap some pixel art onto a stock engine. You want the nostalgia hit of games like the original Dragon Quest but with something genuinely new.
This week, solo indie dev Richard Murtland of DotMake Studios has officially delivered that with the v1.0 launch of Splintered on Steam.
For seven months, this experimental title has been living in Early Access, gathering player feedback and rolling out weekly updates. But the full release isn’t just about finishing the story—it’s about unleashing the game’s central, chaotic twist: the randomizer.
The genius of Splintered’s randomized world
At its heart, Splintered starts off deceptively traditional. It’s got that classic, single-hero, 8-bit aesthetic and a turn-based, one-on-one combat system that feels immediately familiar to anyone who’s spent time with early JRPGs. You’re the descendant of a legendary knight, out for revenge. Standard stuff.
But the moment you beat the villain, the world is Splintered. The game’s unique randomizer—which has been refined throughout development—shuffles everything: the overworld map, the location of towns and crucial items, and, most importantly, the abilities and traits of your enemies. Every victory resets the board, forcing you to adapt, scavenge, and re-learn the game’s mechanics in an entirely new context.
It’s the ultimate replayability mechanic, ensuring that your ten-hour-plus power-levelled save file is useless in the next run. This makes it less a linear RPG and more of a strategy puzzle that forces genuine improvisation.
Oh, and it’s Steam Deck verified, too!
Final chapters and the trial of the rogue
The v1.0 launch finally wraps up the core narrative by adding the final two chapters, bringing the total to six. This is huge, as it concludes the overarching mystery that ties the repeated randomized runs together.
However, the real meat for veterans and those seeking a permanent challenge lies in the new “Trial of the Rogue” challenge mode. This is where Splintered fully embraces its roguelike leanings:
- Permadeath: One life, no take-backs.
- “Choose 1 of 3” Rewards: When you gain stats, spells, or abilities, you get three randomised options, adding a critical layer of build-defining decision-making to every run.
This effectively spins the game off into a separate, hardcore experience that veterans of true roguelikes or randomizer mods—think Pokémon or Zelda randomizers—will immediately appreciate.
An easy decision for retro fans
Splintered is a passion project developed entirely by Richard Murtland, and his seven-month commitment to consistent updates shows he’s serious about this concept. If you’ve been on the fence during the Early Access period, now is the time to jump in.
The v1.0 release is available on Steam today and, to celebrate, Splintered is 30% off until November 6th. For a game that blends classic JRPG sensibilities with endless, procedural chaos, that’s an absolute bargain. Go grab it—your tactical patience will be tested.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
