When Tallowmere 2: Curse of the Kittens launched on Xbox just a few weeks ago, we probably weren’t alone in assuming that was the beginning of the series on console. As it turns out, Ocean Media had other ideas, because now the original Tallowmere has made its own debut on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
It’s an unusual release order, but no matter which game you start with, there’s still plenty to enjoy in this fast-paced roguelike platformer, where every trip into Lady Tallowmere’s dungeon is different from the last.
At A Glance
- Game: Tallowmere
- Developer: Chris McFarland
- Publisher: Ocean Media
- Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
- Price: £5.79
One More Run… And Then Another
Tallowmere doesn’t overcomplicate things. Lady Tallowmere invites you into her dungeon, hands you a shield and a weapon, and leaves the rest up to you.
Every room is procedurally generated, so you’ll never quite know what’s waiting beyond the next door. One minute you’re dispatching a handful of enemies, the next you’re trying to survive a room packed with traps, elite monsters and enough projectiles to make you question whether opening that last treasure chest was really worth it.
Although it looks like a straightforward 2D action game, success comes from learning when to attack and when to defend. Holding your shield at the right moment can completely block incoming attacks, while lowering it at the wrong time usually ends badly. Add in traps, increasingly dangerous enemies and an endless dungeon that grows tougher the further you progress, and Tallowmere quickly becomes a game of patience as much as reflexes.
As you defeat enemies, you’ll also collect souls that can be used to improve your character’s permanent abilities, making each failed run feel like progress rather than a complete restart.
And if tackling an infinite dungeon alone sounds daunting, Tallowmere also includes local co-op for up to four players.
Better Late Than Never
It’s certainly a little odd seeing the original Tallowmere arrive after its sequel, but there’s no bad time to discover a roguelike that’s built around tight combat, rewarding progression and endless replayability.
If you enjoyed Tallowmere 2: Curse of the Kittens when it recently landed on Xbox, or simply fancy seeing where the series began, the first adventure is now waiting.
Tallowmere is available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S for £5.79, all via the Xbox Store.
