Hylics
A surreal claymation JRPG about defeating Gibby, King of the Moon.
Hylics is a 2015 role-playing video game developed and published by Mason Lindroth. Released for Windows on August 4, 2015 via Itch.io and on October 2, 2015 via Steam, the game is noted for its claymation graphics and surreal setting. It plays like a traditional JRPG but replaces hit points with 'flesh' and magic points with 'will', and features first-person battles where the character's hands perform attacks.
- Developer
- Mason Lindroth
- Release Date
- August 4, 2015 (Itch.io); October 2, 2015 (Steam)
- Platform
- Windows
- Genre
- Role-playing video game
- Engine
- RPG Maker VX Ace
- Sequel
- Hylics 2 (2020)
Lore & Background
Hylics takes place on an archipelago in a world implied to be posthuman, divided into three acts. The primary goal is to defeat Gibby, King of the Moon. NPCs often speak using random text generation, and it is implied that Gibby is responsible for the incoherent dialogue. The player character, Wayne, begins in his house and must gather party members including Dedusmuln, Somsnosa, and Pongorma, while navigating bizarre items like frozen burritos and learning special attacks called Gestures from TVs.
Reader's Guide
Hylics has received positive reviews for its unique aesthetic and gameplay. Critics have described it as 'like a scene from Bosch by way of Videodrome' (Emily Gera, Rock Paper Shotgun) and 'the trippiest RPG [they'd] ever seen' (Jordan Devore, Destructoid). The game's significance lies in its distinctive claymation art style and surreal narrative, which influenced a sequel, Hylics 2 (2020), and a third game currently in development. A rock opera album, Absent Moon, a Hylics Song Cycle, was released in 2023. The game's legacy includes its cult following and its role in showcasing the creative potential of the RPG Maker engine.
Did You Know?
- Hit points are replaced with 'flesh' and magic points with 'will'.
- Wayne loses all his flesh when defeated but warps to an 'afterlife' instead of dying.
- Special attacks called Gestures are learned from TVs found throughout the game.
- The game was developed using the RPG Maker VX Ace engine and took a year to develop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hylics?
Hylics is a 2015 surrealist role-playing game featuring stop-motion-style claymation visuals and a dreamlike, bizarre world. It was created by solo developer Mason Lindroth using the RPG Maker VX Ace engine and plays much like a classic JRPG.
How does combat work in Hylics?
Rather than standard health and mana bars, the game tracks two resources called 'flesh' and 'will.' Battles are rendered from a first-person viewpoint in which you watch your character's hands physically carry out each strike or spell.
What is the main plot of Hylics?
The story centers on a protagonist undertaking a surreal quest to defeat Gibby, the King of the Moon. The narrative unfolds across a strange, non-sequitur world that deliberately subverts typical JRPG tropes.
When and where was Hylics released?
The title first launched on Itch.io for Windows on August 4, 2015, with a Steam release following on October 2, 2015. Both versions were developed and published independently by Mason Lindroth.
Is there a sequel to Hylics?
Yes, Hylics 2 arrived in 2020 and continues the claymation JRPG experience. It retains the same distinctive art direction and the flesh-and-will resource system established in the original.
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