Kids of Karendow:

Welcome to the Kingdom of Karendow. Uncover the mysteries and confront the powers of a divided nation. An epic journey of rebellion, hidden identities, and the clash of two heroes with vastly different loyalties awaits you. Step into the dual roles of Elmo - a fierce resistance leader striving to free Karendow from tyranny, and Krewl - the headstrong kommander of the Karendow Anti-Terrorism Unit. Navigate the sprawling lands of Karendow, cross into the enigmatic Borderlands of Athalar, and uncover a hidden empire—a realm once believed destroyed in a devastating 500-year war. 

Switch perspectives between Elmo and Krewl, unraveling a story layered with dark twists, surprising humor, and characters whose fates are anything but simple. Will you fight for freedom or preserve the kingdom’s fragile peace? The fate of the Kids of Karendow is in your hands.

Features:

• Pixel Art, Top-Down JRPG Style: Immerse yourself in beautifully crafted pixel art, bringing the Kingdom of Karendow and its mysteries to life in a classic, top-down JRPG experience. 
• Dual-Protagonist Gameplay: Play as both Elmo, the resistance leader, and Krewl, the Anti-Terrorism Unit kommander, experiencing the conflict from both sides of the rebellion. 
• Fast-Paced Combat: Engage in thrilling combat with partial real-time mechanics, with the option to adjust or even disable combat to enjoy the rich story without interruptions.
• Epic Storyline with a Unique Tone: Explore a narrative that balances dark twists with lighthearted humor, keeping you on your toes through every encounter.
• Mini-Games & Side Quests Galore: Dive into mini-games and numerous side quests that expand the world and provide hours of exploration beyond the main storyline. 
• Configurable Difficulty & Gameplay Options: Customize your experience with a range of difficulty settings and gameplay adjustments to tailor the journey to your preferences.
• 30+ Hours of Adventure: Lose yourself in a vast, story-driven experience with over 30 hours of gameplay, where every choice deepens the world and shapes your path. 

Are you ready to enter the Kingdom of Karendow, face its past, and decide its future? Join the resistance or protect the kingdom—your adventure awaits!

Meet the Cast:

Rakna Resistance Members:

Elmo Valore

 

Elmo Valore, son of the Rakna resistance's founder, was raised by his Aunt Aney after his parents were killed fighting against the Karendow government. Initially uninvolved in the rebellion, Elmo embraces his inherited legacy as he confronts betrayal and embarks on a journey of self-discovery.

Telly Traylynn

Telly Traylynn, Elmo's adopted brother, is a resilient survivor and tech-savvy ally. After facing abuse for his bisexuality and entering foster care, he was raised by Aunt Aney alongside Elmo. Street-smart and scrappy, Telly uses his gadget skills to aid their journey.

Amin Cylarian

Amin Cylarian is the fiercely independent leader of the Rakna Resistance. She is the daughter of Lord Mykos Cylarian. Seven years after the Ideological Riots, she has tirelessly rebuilt the movement. With her strategic brilliance and unwavering resolve, she inspires others to fight in the fight against the Karendow government.

Mishya Yarth

Misha Yarth is a descendant of a long-lost nation, was secretly trained by her father in martial arts and magic. On a covert mission, she uses the Rakna Resistance to achieve her goals. She is loyal to Amin but withholding secrets. Misha is aligned with the resistance in that the Karendow government must fall.

Mawl Yu'Treght

Mawl Yu'Treght is a member of the marginalized Jey'Traht people and joined the Rakna Resistance after being recruited on the dark web. He is driven to change the government and uplift his community. He will do whatever it takes to bring about a better future.

Karendow Anti-Terrorism Unit Members:

Kommander Krewl

Kommander Krewl is the mysterious head of the Karendow Anti-Terrorism Unit. She is known for her ruthless tactics and unknown past. Required to abandon her identity upon joining the elite forces, she shows little humanity outside her inner circle, leading many to question if she's even human.

Lord Cela Dryus-Kreevus

Lord Cela Dryus-Kreevus, adopted son of Vice-King Kelvius Kreevus, lost his mother and half-sister in an incident blamed on the Rakna Resistance. With a strained relationship with his adoptive father, Cela becomes a mercenary for hire. Even though he is distrustful of authority, he often spends time with Kommander Krewl.

Gyro Fixsit and Steam Puff (6267-D)

Gyro Fixsit is a brilliant but reclusive engineer at Cylarian Industries, specializing in robotics and cybernetics that integrate machinery into human bodies. He reprogrammed an old military robot, 6267-D—nicknamed Steam Puff—as his assistant. Gyro spends most of his time in his lab, playing controversial video games in his free time.

Karendow Government:

King Draelfius Karendow 

King Draelfius Karendow is the 15th monarch of his dynasty, is a controversial ruler. He introduced progressive policies like freedom of religion and marriage equality, allowing same-sex and cross-species unions - The former also removed Promistian religious influence from the government. However, he's also known for harsh actions during the Ideological Riots and seizing property for government use, leaving many homeless. He invested heavily in AI, creating a robotic military and police force. A widower with a hidden daughter, he's seen by some as benevolent and by others as oppressive.

Vice-King Kelvius Kreevus

Vice-King Kelvius Kreevus, King Karendow's right hand, stands ready to govern if the royal line ends. Grieving the loss of his wife and daughter—killed by the Rakna Resistance—he is estranged from his adopted son, Cela. As Karendow's most powerful magic user, Kelvius hides his pain while being ruthlessly decisive when necessary.

Lord Mykos Cylarian

Lord Mykos Cylarian is the CEO of Cylarian Industries and King Karendow's oldest friend. He secretly supports the Rakna Resistance with his daughter Amin. He is a widower with two daughters, and he keeps them out of his affairs when possible. If his deception is discovered, it could cost him his friendship and his life.

Other Characters:

Caspur NungXieup

Caspur NungXieup is the only Obidwaa not affected by The Great Cataclysm which occurred 499 years ago. As such they retain their immortality and ability to communicate with humans. However their differences have made them an outcast among their people. Living on the outskirts of the Blue Obidwaa settlement, they hide their unique nature. Caspur hopes to unite the Obidwaa clans to oppose King Karendow's enslavement of their people.

Magistrate Jor O'Nor

Magistrate Jor O'Nor leads a mysterious lost country after the emperor's disappearance 499 years ago. Harboring deep hatred for Karendow, he has spent centuries developing weapons to destroy it. Consumed by bitterness, he has forgotten love and compassion.

General Lon Oblore

General Lon Oblore leads the lost nation's military. He is loyal to the nation above all else and he supports Magistrate Jor O'Nor after the emperor's disappearance following the war because of it. Humble and dedicated, Lon believes in service and upholds the empire's values with unwavering integrity.

Demo:

This is the game's pre-alpha demo.  It is far from complete but with your help we will see this game come to life.  If you enjoy the demo, please consider becoming a patron and donate to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kidsofkarendow

Join our Discord community and take part in the conversation:  https://discord.gg/VEhFNvX