Infernax

Infernax is built in the visual register of 8-bit action-platformers — Castlevania II, Faxanadu, the harsher 1980s NES action games — and stretched into a full open-world adventure with morality choices that shape the campaign. Duke Alcedor returns home from a long absence to find his lands plagued by unholy magic, ruthless creatures, and the kind of side-scrolling problems that don't resolve themselves.

The choice system runs through every encounter. Slay or help someone? Spend earned experience on more life, mana, or damage? Buy this side quest's reward or save the money? Each decision ripples — characters remember what you did to that other guy. Multi-ending support reflects the cumulative weight of these choices, with significantly different campaign paths available depending on whether you lean toward salvation or condemnation.

The Deus or Die update added co-op support and a hot-swap mode where one player controls both Alcedor and his squire Cervul, switching between them on the fly. Castle dungeons hold challenging boss battles. Buy new items and unlock skills at the blacksmith. Explore the open world for hidden areas and secrets. The whole package is a love letter to NES action games stretched into a longer, choice-driven adventure that's openly bloody and gory in ways the original era couldn't quite manage.