Hey Zodiac Challengers! We’ve been meaning to put this post together a little sooner, but honestly... you gave us a lot to chew on. We received thousands of comments and feedback after Playtest 2 across Discord and our socials. So we took our time—reading, re-reading, digesting, and discussing as a team.

Now that the dust has settled a little, we’re back with a quick roundup of everything you helped shape.

Let’s kick things off with a look back! We put together a short highlight reel featuring some of our favorite moments from the community during Playtest 2, everything from epic plays to unexpected chaos.

We couldn’t fit every single clip (we tried… our dev-editor said NO😅), but we’re grateful for all of you who participated, streamed, shared, and supported us throughout the playtest.

After sorting through all the feedback, here are some of the biggest takeaways:

The visual improvements from Playtest 1 were a hit—most of you gave us an 8 to 10 out of 10! We’re especially glad to hear you liked the new water physics and added environmental details. We’ll continue leveling this up as we build out new areas.

While Act 2 introduced new moves and refinements, some of you missed the faster, more fluid pacing from Playtest 1. Good news: we’re already working to bring that energy back. Some of the slight slow down also came from bugs (like fox form transforming mid-dash), and those are on our radar too.

We're bringing this speed back!

The Monkey’s Challenges, cultivation tree upgrades, and expanded elemental options also received positive feedback (of course, with some plans for more balance tweaks!). Many of you enjoyed how these systems encouraged experimentation and noticed the more obvious elemental synergies between elements compared to the earlier versions. Expect more polish and impact in future versions.

With all the new content and visual upgrades in Playtest 2, performance did take a bit of a hit. We’re aware of the occasional stutters and high GPU usage especially on lower-end machines. Once content development stabilizes, we’ll be dedicating more attention to making things smooth again.

For example, we're optimizing models and textures to reduce drawcalls.
We're working on bringing the Anvils from Playtest 1 which many of you missed. The Cultivation Tree is also growing, with more branches and upgrades on the way. We’re tackling enemy readability, balance tweaks, collider clean-up, and more. It’s going to be a busy few months, but we’ll keep you updated.

We’re actively working on everything we just talked about: your feedback, bug fixes, performance improvements, and new content. Some of you might’ve spotted our early desert previews... yes, the sand’s still looking stiff, but give us time! We’re hoping to bring it up to the same level as our beloved water physics.

Yeah, it still looks ugly *for now*.

We’ve received some fantastic fanart over the past few months, and we’ve been quietly collecting each and every piece. It means a lot to see our characters brought to life in your own styles.

@Astélie | IG: @ast3li3[www.instagram.com]
--

@astralinfernal | Bluesky: @astralinferno.bsky.social[bsky.app]
And hey... a little trivia: Sylith’s getting a visual update SOON. 👀
Thanks again for being part of this journey!


Find us on Twitter[x.com] | Tiktok[www.tiktok.com] | Youtube | Discord[discord.gg]

Hey Zodiac Challengers!

Playtest 2 is now officially closed and and we just wanted to say, thank you. Seriously. Whether you were here from Day 1 or joined in the final weekend, your time, feedback, and energy meant the world to us.

We’ve seen this little community grow so much, and we’re already cooking up a surprise to celebrate that journey. We’ll save the rest of the mushy stuff for our next post.

In the meantime, keep an eye on our Discord [discord.gg]for sneak previews of what’s coming next. We’ll be sharing more about the road ahead soon including new updates, behind-the-scenes peeks, and maybe even some new content reveals.

For example... we finally got cloth physics to work so those fast-paced movements will look a lot more fluid in the future! :D

So yeah... stay close. Things are just getting started.


Find us on Twitter[x.com] | Tiktok[www.tiktok.com] | Youtube | Discord[discord.gg]

Crafted with love,
Mixed Realms

Hey Zodiac Challengers! First things first: HUGE THANKS for joining us in Playtest 2! We're stoked to welcome so many new challengers into the 13Z community and to see all your amazing feedback (some of you even writing entire essays into the official feedback form - we're loving every word! ^____^). Keep 'em coming!

Good news: we're extending Playtest 2 until April 21st! After the recent performance update, we've received messages from new players who were worried they'd miss their chance to finally jump in. Additionally, since co-op won't return for a while as we refocus our efforts on enhancing the single-player experience, we wanted to give everyone extra time to fully enjoy teaming up with friends.

Many of you asked if we're cooking up something special for our amazing playtesters and we mentioned that we needed to build a proper backend system for it. Well, surprise! Everyone who participated in Playtest 2 will receive an exclusive cosmetic item at the full game launch. We’ll share some previews on Discord[discord.gg] in due time so stay tuned!
As 13Z’s Playtest 2 wraps on April 21st, we want to celebrate with you. We’d love to put together a community highlight reel, and if you're a content creator who made a video, we’d love to feature a snippet. If you've made content for 13Z's Playtest 2, share your link on Discord, below in the comments, or DM us on Twitter. Include your handle so we can credit you. We'll feature around 15 clips, so bring your best / funniest / most memorable moments!
Quality content at its peak >:D.

Finally, how awesome is this fanart from Minzzway[bsky.app]?
Thanks for being an incredible community. Keep the creativity and feedback flowing!

Drop them in our official feedback form[forms.gle] or our Discord[discord.gg].

You can also find us on Twitter[x.com] | Tiktok[www.tiktok.com] | Youtube

Crafted with love,
Mixed Realms

Hey Zodiac Challengers, the wait is finally over... our mega playtest update has arrived!

As always, we'd like to start with a huge thank you to everyone who participated in the first playtest. Your feedback has been invaluable in helping us refine 13Z: The Zodiac Trials. We’ve been hard at work polishing mechanics, fixing bugs and adding new content.

This update brings co-op mode, a new playable character, more elemental powers, and even a glimpse of some of the Zodiac Guardians who will play a bigger role in the full game.

The 13Z Global Playtest 2 will be available to the public from March 04 to April 06, 2025.

Before we dive in, a quick reminder—this is still a playtest, NOT the final version. Our goal is to share our progress with the community and improve the game based on your feedback.

Expect bugs, the occasional frame drops, and some placeholder assets, but rest assured, we’ve put together a solid build for you to enjoy. We've also compiled a list of FAQs and Known Issues at the end of this post and are always happy to address any issues or answer your questions on our Discord[discord.gg]. :)



The much-awaited 2-4P co-op is finally live! Now, you don’t have to take on the Zodiac Trials alone—bring your friends and conquer the challenges together.

• Co-op becomes available after your first visit to the village following your initial solo trial run.
  
• Activate it via the pause menu—you can create or join a team.
  
• Since we’re still testing the servers, we recommend playing with friends from the same region for a smoother experience.

Synergize your abilities – Find your role in the chaos! Whether you focus on damage, control, or defense, your team composition can change the course of each run.
Make collective choices – As a team, you’ll vote on some of the rewards and challenges that affect the whole team, shaping your journey through the Trials.
The Zodiac Trials weren’t meant to be easy, but with allies by your side, you might just make it through in one piece!

A new challenger takes flight—Sylith the Raven is finally leaving his cozy perch on the Teahouse rooftop and diving headfirst into the Trials!

After completing a few runs with Lyra as your starting character, you’ll unlock this elusive ranged fighter, whose mastery of flying daggers and aerial maneuvers lets him strike from a distance while staying one step ahead of his enemies.

Now, let’s take a closer look at his key abilities.

Primary Attack – A rapid series of dagger throws.
Secondary Attack – Conjure a spectral raven that bounces between enemies for extra hits.
Special Move – Unleash a storm of daggers from above, covering the battlefield.
If you prefer keeping enemies at a distance, Sylith is your guy.

Lyra isn’t about to let Sylith steal the spotlight—she’s stepping up her game with a new weapon that unlocks an entirely different Martial Arts Style. Once unlocked, you can swap weapons at the Armory near the Trial Gates in Turtle Village.

Her default sword, Ruby Shadow, still delivers the crisp, fluid strikes you know and love.
But if you’re looking to expand her arsenal, unlocking her Ethereal Sting sword at the Armory grants access to Phantom Dancer, a new Martial Arts Style that introduces spectral-infused attacks with a focus on speed and precision.
Some of her new abilities include:
Spinning Thrust – A spiraling charge attack that cuts through enemies in her path.
Spectral Piercing Strikes – A flurry of ghostly sword thrusts, delivering rapid, precise damage.
With Phantom Dancer, Lyra can shift between physical and spectral techniques, adding a whole new layer of versatility to her combat style.

Elemental Upgrades were a hit in the first playtest, and now we’re expanding the system with two new elements, more upgrades and synergies that combine their effects in creative ways.

• Heaven – Increases Critical Damage & Bonuses.
  
• Mountain – Boosts Armor & Stuns enemies.
  
• Fire – Deals Burn & Damage Over Time.
  
• Water – Slows enemies or Freezes them.
  
• Lightning – Chains damage between enemies.

When two elements combine, they create a powerful passive effect.
Here’s an example: Mountain + Fire = Meteor Crash: A fiery meteor descends upon enemies affected by Stun and Burn, dealing massive damage.
There are more synergies to discover, so experiment and find your ultimate elemental combo!

The world of 13Z is coming to life with more graphical improvements:
✔ More detailed levels with enhanced textures.
✔ Better water physics— water features now react to movement.
✔ Lighting and atmospheric tweaks to improve immersion.
While we’re still polishing things up, these upgrades bring more depth and atmosphere to the Zodiac Trials.

While the Zodiac Guardians have mostly watched from the sidelines, this playtest lets you interact with more of them.
One key figure you’ll meet is the Monkey Zodiac Guardian, the Keeper of Skill Manuals—his blessings unlock skill upgrades that will define your combat style.
Future Hint: While some Guardians offer guidance, others might not be so friendly in future updates. Better get to know them before you end up facing them in battle…

There’s plenty more to experience in this update, but the best way to discover all the changes is to jump in and play!

Don’t forget to tell your friends about 13Z—the more feedback we get, the better we can shape the game. Your support means the world to us as an indie studio, and we truly appreciate every wishlist, share, and message of encouragement.

💬 Join the Discussion & Share Your Feedback!
Drop them in our official feedback form[forms.gle] or our Discord[discord.gg].

You can also find us on Twitter[x.com] | Tiktok[www.tiktok.com] | Youtube

Crafted with Love,
Mixed Realms

🙋Am I allowed to stream or share my gameplay of this playtest?
Absolutely! Sharing your gameplay video not only helps us review feedback by watching your gameplay but also spreads the word about 13Z, which is a huge help to our team. Feel free to stream and post clips. :)

🙋Until when is the playtest available?
The playtest will be open to the public from March 4 to April 6, 2025.

🙋I played Playtest 1. Will my save file carry over to Playtest 2?
Playtest 2 brings significant changes, including new mechanics and structural updates, so progress from Playtest 1 will not carry over. In general, since we're still in the playtest phase and continuously refining the game based on feedback, save data resets are necessary to ensure a smooth experience with each iteration.

🙋Which platforms and controllers are supported? Does the game run on Steam Deck?
13Z supports keyboard + mouse, Xbox One, Xbox 360, DualShock, and DualSense controllers. Most generic controllers also work natively or via Steam Input.
As for Steam Deck, while the game runs, we haven’t done extensive testing yet so official support is still pending.

🙋I encountered a bug! Where can I report it?
The best place to report bugs is through our Discordserver, where our team can quickly respond and categorize reports based on different issues. We also added a list of known issues below with their corresponding fixes.

🙋I have suggestions and feedback! Where should I share them?
We’d love to hear your thoughts! You can submit feedback through our official feedback form[forms.gle] (which includes a free-text entry for detailed comments) or share your ideas in the suggestions section on our Discord.

🙋When is 13Z launching?
We plan to go into Early Access first, but we don’t have a firm date yet. Hopefully this year! Be sure to wishlist and follow the game to stay updated on the latest news.

🙋Are you planning to add more languages?
Right now, we support English, Chinese, and Japanese. We’re focused on finalizing content during the playtest period, so we don’t have immediate plans to add more languages just yet.

⭕ Freezing at launch – We're loading a lot of things upfront to improve overall performance once the game is running—but that also means a longer startup time. To avoid crashes, please don’t click the window while the game is loading or if it looks frozen. We'll continue optimizing the game with each update.

⭕ Multiplayer Lag – Co-op may sometimes experience latency. To minimize this, we recommend playing with teammates from the same region. While server regions are usually selected automatically based on ping, manually choosing your region can improve stability.

⭕ Getting Stuck – We've swept through all colliders as thoroughly as possible. But if you find yourself stuck in a particularly tight spot (e.g. under terrain), pause the game and select "Unstuck" from the pause menu. This will return you to the map's original spawn point. If this happens, please share a screenshot in our Discord to help us investigate!

⭕Controller Issues - If your are running into issues with controller/keyboard/mouse especially during the onboarding tutorial, head to the main/pause menu->options->controls->restore default->save.

⭕ Occasional Frame Drops – Some water-heavy areas or very flashy VFX may still cause occasional frame drops, but improvements are in progress.

⭕ Missing SFX/VFX/Assets – Certain effects and assets are placeholders and will be finalized in future updates.

⭕ Snake's Dreamland has leftover enemies – There is a 20% chance you might encounter the Snake's Dreamland challenge. A known bug sometimes leaves enemies behind, making them invulnerable to attacks. They also do not react, so you can simply collect your reward and leave. We're looking into this.

Hey Zodiac Challengers,
Thank you for supporting us during our first playtest! It’s been super encouraging for the team, and seeing how the game’s shaping up with your feedback has been incredible.


P.S. We’ve just launched a NEW YouTube channel! Subscribe if you’d like to see more 13Z videos in the future.😉

It’s official—13Z’s Playtest 2 is landing on 4 March 2025 and it’s bringing a ton of exciting new content to the game. Beyond just teaming up with your friends, here’s a sneak peek of what’s in store:

• The Raven Joins the Fight: He won’t be stuck on the roof anymore. ;)
  
• Co-op: Play with up to 3 other friends to challenge the trials.
  
• More Skills & Abilities: More ways to create powerful builds and outsmart your foes.
  
• Improved Graphics & Mechanics: The arenas and enemies are getting a glow-up!
  
• ...and more! Soon, you’ll meet new Zodiac Guardians and experience some of the QoL improvements we’ve added to the game.

We've also updated our Steam page to reflect how 13Z has evolved since the first playtest. What do you think about our new key art?

In preparation for the new update, we’ll be taking down the current playtest build on 14 February 2025. That means you have 7 more days left from now to experience the current version as it stands, so don’t miss out!

With Co-op around the corner, we’re looking forward to seeing more Challengers team up and take on the Trials together. If you haven’t already, don’t forget to wishlist 13Z and share it with friends who’d enjoy the chaos.

… and btw, to those celebrating, Happy and Prosperous Year of the Snake! May it bring luck, success, and plenty of victorious Trials ahead.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. See you in the next phase of the Zodiac Trials!

Chat with us on: Discord[discord.gg] | Twitter[x.com] | Tiktok[www.tiktok.com] | Youtube

Crafted with love,
Mixed Realms Team

Hey Challengers! We’ve been hard at work since the playtest launched, digging through all your feedback and ideas to make 13Z even better. Today, we’re rolling out a fresh update with some key improvements—including a highly requested feature that’s sure to make battles more fluid.


One of the most requested features—camera lock—has been added to the single-player playtest. Aiming and targeting should now feel much more intuitive. Try it out and let us know what you think!
We’ve updated Lyra’s model, adding more expressions to bring out her personality and charm. This is just one of the many visual improvements we’ll continue refining as we move forward.
Combat visuals have been refreshed with improved VFX, enhancing the game’s overall feedback during battles. Additionally, lighting has been given a boost, with more defined shadows. This is all part of our ongoing work to elevate the game’s visuals, and there’s more to come!
We’re gearing up for the next big milestone: the co-op playtest with new content! This update will not only let you team up with friends but will also introduce new mechanics and systems, including:

Inspired by the Trigrams (bagua), upgrades will feature interconnected elements like Heaven, Lake, Fire, Lightning, Wind, Water, Mountain, and Earth. These elements will synergize in unique ways to create deeper strategies depending on how they’re unlocked in the trigram wheel. They will also linked to the Guardians serving as the main bosses in the game.

For example: Lightning upgrades spread damage by default, but pair it with Fire upgrades, and you can chain debuffs like burn for extra devastation.

With help from the Monkey Zodiac, you’ll soon be able to swap abilities and customize your builds. This system will work alongside the Trigram mechanics to make every run feel fresh and rewarding.


We’re so grateful for your support and feedback—it’s been incredible to build this game with you. If you haven’t already, wishlist 13Z on Steam and hop into the latest update to share your thoughts!

Join the discussion on Discord[discord.gg], where you can chat with other Challengers and share your ideas or creations. Fanart, questions, suggestions —bring it on! We’re always excited to see what the community comes up with.

Chat with us on: Discord[discord.gg] | Twitter[x.com] | Tiktok[www.tiktok.com] | Youtube

Thank you for being part of this adventure with us.

Crafted with love,
Mixed Realms Team

Hey Zodiac Challengers!

We've got some fun updates and news for everyone, plus a bit of what’s brewing behind the scenes since the release of the playtest.

We’re super grateful (and honestly, a bit relieved! 😌) for the positive reception since the playtest launched. It’s been amazing to see so many of you enjoying the fluidity and verticality of the combat! We’re eager to build upon what you love about the game, and we’d love for you to continue being a part of this journey with us.

With all the insights you shared, we’ve zeroed in on some key areas to improve—and, luckily, they match up perfectly with our plans. Here are a few things we’re focusing on:

We’re restructuring some rooms and making overall improvements to the size, layout and verticality.

Coins will be rewarded upon the completion of the room rather than being distributed in random vases and pots all over the rooms. These breakable items will still have a chance to contain health drops, though.

We’re working on something new and big, and will reveal the details soon… this deserves its own dedicated devlog. ;) But here's a preview of one of those exciting changes:

Getting hit from behind? We’re enhancing telegraphing animations and effects to provide clearer cues in the heat of battle.

Along with adding more details to the environment, we’re experimenting with shaders to give 13Z a more unique look that matches its theme. It’s still a work in progress but we’d love to hear what you think.

We're also experimenting with water physics to make the environments more immersive. This will compliment Act 1’s various water features like the waterfalls and Gold Croak's level.

Features like camera lock and smoother targeting are on the way.

We've also heard you asking about more info on the 12 Zodiacs—and we’re on it! We’re working on new key art that gives them a bigger spotlight. It’s super early, and some of the headshots are more playful than serious (our artist was having fun, lol), but we wanted to give the community a better sneak peek into 13Z's universe.

We’re fully diving into co-op mode development, along with some new mechanics. We’re targeting Q1 2025 for the big Co-op Playtest.

But you don’t need to wait that long to play an updated version of the current single-player playtest. We’ll be releasing another patch soon. However, some of the bigger changes mentioned above won’t make it into this upcoming patch just yet, as the co-op and single-player builds are on different tracks, and transferring all new mechanics would break the game.

We don’t have a specific date for this update yet, but we’re targeting to release it before the end of the year. Here’s what you can expect:

• Camera/Target Lock – Yep, it’s finally on the way!
  
• Enhanced VFX – A little extra flash never hurts.
  
• New Visuals for Lyra – We’ve made some tweaks to bring out her character more; we’ll showcase more sneak-peeks on our Discord.

On Discord, we’ve added some fresh stickers and emojis for you to play with, and we’re cooking up a few more!
Also, here’s the very first fanart of Lyra courtesy of the talented Booey! If you've made fanart of 13Z, we’d love to see it—share it on our Discord[discord.com], and don't forget to tag us on X (@13Z_game[x.com]) so we don’t miss it. ;)
Thanks for being with us and sharing your feedback! We’re excited to be building 13Z together with you!

Chat with us on: Discord[discord.gg] | Twitter[x.com] | Tiktok[www.tiktok.com]

Crafted with Love,
Mixed Realms Team