Players can immediately get a taste of the quest to become the 13th Zodiac Guardian, as Singaporean studio Mixed Realms releases a demo and brand-new trailer for its upcoming action rogue-lite.
Independent developer Mixed Realms (Sairento VR, Gordian Quest, Hellsweepr VR), has today released a demo for its upcoming action rogue-lite, 13Z: The Zodiac Trials, announcing it alongside a brand-new gameplay trailer that premiered during the Future Games Show at gamescom.
Now available on Steam, the demo gives players a peek into 13Z: The Zodiac Trials’ epic mythological storyline, allowing them to experience two of the game’s four playable characters battling to become the 13th Zodiac Guardian: Lyra the Fox and Sylith the Raven.
Each of the heroes playable in the demo has their own set of special skills as they fight through the trials, with Lyra excelling in close-range swordsmanship and fast melee combos, and Sylith – a ranged assassin – capable of unleashing area of effect damage and ranged combat.
Players can access eight swappable combat styles as they progress, each with dedicated branching updates and martial arts-inspired movesets. Further strategic depth is unlocked through a six-element seal system that allows players to craft and hone custom builds, blending physical technique with mystical power.
Between runs, players can unlock permanent upgrades, explore the game’s lore, and customize their chosen warrior in the Village Hub, while additional gameplay variety – and expansions of the mythos surrounding the existing 12 Zodiac Guardians – are unveiled through themed event rooms and randomized challenge nodes.
The new trailer offers the most in-depth look yet at 13Z: The Zodiac Trials, as Lyra and Sylith battle deadly foes across an eyecatching, previously unseen level, which showcases the game’s signature blend of martial arts action, Eastern spiritual iconography, and anime-inspired visuals.
13Z: The Zodiac Trials Key Features:
- Massive Replayability – Master diverse characters with unique abilities, unlock powerful modifiers and upgrades, discover deep rogue-lite systems with high replayability
- Dynamic Martial Combat – Full vertical and horizontal movement with a free camera and reactive controls
- Stylized Anime Visuals – A bold, vibrant aesthetic blending spiritual and cultural influences
- Mythology-Driven World – Lore-rich design rooted in the twelve Eastern Zodiacs
13Z: The Zodiac Trials fuses high-energy action with deeply rooted cultural lore, inviting players into a mystical world of spirits, trials, and transformation. The game is designed for solo or 2-4 cooperative multiplayer, with Early Access planned for 2026, and available to wishlist now.