March of Tulpas:Xanadu

March of Tulpas: Xanadu is an experimental turn-based RPG developed and published by Rosenkreutz (ローゼンクロイツ / 蔷薇十字 / 薔薇十字), blending surreal storytelling with a looping time structure that reshapes how progression unfolds. At first glance, it presents itself with a deceptively simple and even cute visual style, but beneath that surface lies a philosophical narrative built around repetition, identity, and the fragility of constructed realities. The game invites players into a world that resets every three in-game days, creating a cyclical structure that defines both its mechanics and its themes.
You begin as a mysterious boy known as the King of Paradise, awakening on a throne with little understanding of how or why you arrived there. Shortly after stepping into the world, you encounter an enigmatic guide who frames your mission: gather allies, explore the repeating lands, and uncover the truth behind the world’s collapse. The central mechanic revolves around this three-day loop. Every action—movement, combat, exploration—advances time, and when the third day ends, the world resets. However, your character’s growth persists. Abilities learned, equipment acquired, and progress achieved remain intact, allowing each loop to build upon the last rather than erase it.
Combat follows a traditional turn-based format but introduces mechanics that add nuance to otherwise straightforward encounters. Standard attacks are supplemented by debuffs and specialized actions, including a mechanic that allows the player to drain enemy vitality once certain conditions are met. Healing is intentionally limited, forcing players to think carefully about resource management. Recruiting companions, known as Tulpas, adds strategic depth. Each Tulpa possesses unique characteristics that influence battle dynamics, encouraging experimentation with team composition and skill synergy. Because time is limited within each loop, players must decide how much risk to take before the inevitable reset.
The loop system shapes exploration in meaningful ways. Areas that initially feel confusing or inaccessible gradually become manageable as knowledge accumulates. Environmental details take on new significance with each repetition, and subtle changes in understanding rather than geography drive forward momentum. This structure fosters a sense of gradual mastery. Instead of linear progression through increasingly difficult regions, the player grows stronger within a repeating framework, slowly peeling back layers of the world’s mystery. The repetition becomes thematic rather than mechanical filler, reinforcing the story’s introspective tone.
Visually, March of Tulpas: Xanadu adopts a soft, stylized aesthetic that contrasts with its heavier themes. Character designs and environments carry a whimsical charm, yet the narrative leans into existential ideas about perception and constructed realities. The juxtaposition between art style and subject matter creates a distinctive atmosphere. Rather than relying on graphical realism, the game uses color, composition, and symbolic imagery to convey mood. The soundtrack complements this approach with subtle and atmospheric tracks that enhance the dreamlike quality of the world.
Narratively, the game avoids straightforward exposition. Instead, it gradually reveals context through repeated interactions and layered dialogue. The Tulpa concept—imagined companions manifesting in tangible form—serves as both a gameplay mechanic and a metaphorical device. Questions about imagination, belief, and selfhood quietly underpin the story. While the overall plot may feel abstract at times, players who engage with its symbolism are rewarded with a deeper understanding of the world’s cyclical nature and the protagonist’s role within it.
March of Tulpas: Xanadu is not designed for those seeking fast-paced action or sprawling open-world exploration. Its pacing is deliberate, sometimes contemplative, and the loop mechanic may feel repetitive to players who prefer constant forward motion. However, for those who appreciate experimental RPG structures and thematic cohesion between mechanics and story, it offers a thoughtful and distinctive experience. Its strengths lie in its integration of gameplay and narrative concepts, strategic combat elements, and its ability to transform repetition into meaningful progression.
Ultimately, the game stands out as a niche yet compelling indie RPG that uses its looping framework to explore ideas beyond traditional fantasy storytelling. It prioritizes atmosphere, symbolic depth, and mechanical experimentation over scale or spectacle. For players willing to embrace its cyclical structure and unconventional narrative approach, March of Tulpas: Xanadu provides a memorable journey that gradually reveals its emotional and philosophical layers through repetition and discovery.
Rating: 7/10

I've become quite the connoisseur of these oddball RPGMaker games. This one is middling. It's a nice effort and very playable but not especially striking in most regards and I feel my memory of it will fade over time. The translation is poor and the overall story as I understand it is not much better, the aesthetic is confused about the line between surreal and degenerate, the combat system has some good ideas that don't really climb to great heights, and the music is weirdly very good. OFF is the game that it reminds me the most of. It's a light RPG with a little bit of challenge and not much time or mental investment. I like these kinds of games when I don't feel my best and don't want to play something heavy.

A pretty fun JRPG with a bit of roguelikeness.
I wish it was more serious, because aside from the main story itself, characters and dialogues are mostly silly. The turn-based combat system, on the other hand, is very solid. The game's unique artstyle is very nice, the OST incredibly good.
Objectively: 8/10