If you are looking for a nostalgic trip back to the golden age of 8-bit gaming, Cladun: This is an RPG offers a delightful blend of retro aesthetics and modern mechanical depth. Developed by Nippon Ichi Software, this title serves as a love letter to classic dungeon crawlers, featuring charmingly blocky sprites and a self-aware sense of humor that pokes fun at the very genre it inhabably occupies.

A Quirky Adventure in Arcanus Cella

The setting for Cladun is the colorful, whimsical world of Arcanus Cella—a realm created by a shut-in sorceress named Despina. The story is light-hearted and driven largely by comedic relief, following a cast of eccentric characters who stumble into this world with their own peculiar troubles. From Pudding, a treasure-obsessed teen with a terminal illness triggered by laughter, to Bob, an afro-wielding wizard obsessed with hair styling, the narrative provides a quirky backdrop to the primary gameplay loop.

Players operate from a vibrant hub world filled with talking pumpkins and meddling magic cats. This central location serves as your base of operations where you can prepare your party, purchase essential equipment, and manage your characters. While the story may be trivial, it provides a fun, much-needed atmosphere for the intense dungeon delving that lies ahead.

Gameplay Mechanics: Action Meets Strategy

Despite its name, Cladun: This is an RPG is not a traditional turn-based RPG like Dragon Quest; rather, it is an action-oriented dungeon crawler. The gameplay focuses on navigating top-down dungeons to slay monsters, collect loot, and level up your heroes.

While the game features elements reminiscent of the Rogue-like genre—such as traps, environmental hazards, and randomized loot—it remains incredibly forgiving for players. Unlike true Roguelikes, there is no permanent death; if you perish, you keep half of the gold and experience earned on that floor and are simply sent back to the hub world. This creates a perfect balance between high-stakes dungeon exploration and steady character progression.

Key Features of Cladun

  • Custom Character Creation: Use a graphics editor to build your own main character from scratch, allowing for a personalized adventuring experience.
  • The Magic Circle System: Beyond simple combat, players must engage with the complex and intriguing Magic Circle system to succeed.
  • Strategic Level Design: Each floor functions as an individual level requiring specific tactics, such as using enemies to break blocks or managing elemental affinities.
  • Ad-Hoc Multiplayer: Utilize the PSP's ad-hoc feature to explore dangerous dungeons alongside your friends.
  • Three Weapon Types: Master different combat styles to overcome a variety of monsters and obstacles.

Who is this game for?

Cladun is an ideal pick for fans of retro-style aesthetics and players who enjoy the "grind" of leveling up and gathering loot. If you appreciate the quirky, self-referential humor typical of Nippon Ichi Software and want a dungeon crawler that offers challenging combat without the punishing frustration of permanent death, this PSP classic is well worth your time. It appeals to both veterans of 8-bit era classics and modern players looking for a bite-sized, highly replayable adventure.