itch.io

Playtest update · 2026-10-12

A new Lightward buildcraft playtest is ready to try: https://truemeat001.itch.io/ngame

It has 20 stages with three encounters per stage, core build choices, an explicit entry to enemy information, and revised camp choices. This prototype uses a separate save; progress from the earlier campaign does not transfer into it.

I'd like feedback on the decisions between and during fights:

- Can you find enemy traits and understand targeting without reading this thread?

- Is it clear when you can recruit or merge, and whether combat is still running while you decide?

- Can you tell what triggered a core effect and who it affected?

- At camp, are the cost, selection, and next step clear?

The opening stages are enough. Please tell me where you stopped and why, plus your browser/OS and whether it was a fresh run or returning prototype save. Loading problems are useful to report too.

Desktop/laptop + mouse; English and Simplified Chinese. This is still a work-in-progress prototype, with AI assistance in development and asset creation. Prototype saves stay in your browser.

谢谢你认真试玩，也谢谢加载时间和 Chrome 的信息！

第四关抽到弓箭手后明显好打，这个反馈很有帮助。不过合成要看别人的回帖才发现，说明游戏内提示还不够清楚；敌人特性也应该让玩家更容易看懂，而不是靠猜。

枪兵不如守卫＋弓箭手顺手，我会结合不同关卡和阵容继续测试，看看是角色定位没表现出来，还是实际强度、适用场景不足。更多招募选择和上场角色的建议也记下了。

新一轮网页测试版正在收尾，上线后会在这个帖里更新。如果你继续玩，欢迎告诉我从哪一关开始觉得重复，或者哪种阵容让你觉得特别有意思。这些对调整后续内容很有用！

Thanks for giving B29 a try, wburd, and for the detailed feedback! It's helpful to know that it started in about 20 seconds on desktop Chrome without loading failures.

A short merge hint sounds useful, especially since the other actions already have prompts.

The Stage 4 healer fight is the main concern in your report. With the party you described, being stuck attacking the front slimes without a clear way to deal with the healer sounds frustrating. The exact party composition is useful for checking the encounter balance and how targeting is explained.

Do you remember whether your two Mages were in the front or back slots when you got stuck? That would help reproduce the situation.

Thanks again—I'm glad you'd be interested in playing more! You're welcome to share the link to your playtest too.

Keep the lantern lit. Build your party as the battle unfolds.

When enemies push toward your line, do you recruit another hero, merge two into a stronger unit, or move your defender? In Lightward: The Lantern Road, those choices happen while the battle keeps moving.

▶ PLAY FREE IN YOUR BROWSER — truemeat001.itch.io/ngame
Desktop/laptop + mouse · English / 简体中文

Cover illustration.

Follow a chain of lanterns north, from a frontier waystation to the copper city and the capital. Choose from five hero classes, recruit from three offers, and combine matching heroes up to three stars. Reinforce the front, protect your healer, or save a matching hero for the next merge.

Gameplay capture from the native development build: Copper City.

Want to help shape the opening? I'm looking for 5–10 volunteer players to try it for 15–30 minutes. Strategy/merge fans and complete newcomers are both welcome. You don't need to finish the campaign; the first three stages are enough.

Play Lightward free → https://truemeat001.itch.io/ngame

Try the first five minutes without a walkthrough, then play freely. A short reply here or a comment on the game page is all I need:

• How long did loading take? Which browser/OS did you use?
• Where did you first feel unsure what to do?
• Did recruiting and merging make sense?
• What felt fun, boring, or frustrating in the first three stages?
• Would you keep playing? If you stopped, what made you stop?

This is a playable work in progress. The uploaded package is about 110 MB, so the first load may take a while. Saves stay in your current browser. Gameplay reporting is optional; you can play either way. The game uses AI assistance in development and asset creation.

Honest first impressions are welcome, in English or Chinese. Thanks for giving the lantern road a try!