Welcome to Ankalibar
About Mythfarer
Mythfarer is an 8-bit retro RPG for your PC that is so authentically old-school that it also runs on a computer from the 1980s.
Despite the retro feel, Mythfarer attempts to provide an easier user interface than was typical of its retro roots. There is a map system, fast-travel mechanic, quest markers, context-sensitive help and a simplified control scheme. Mythfarer attempts to keep the busy-work to a minimum, so you shouldn't have to remember arcane commands, or make paper maps (unless you want to!), or write down things your character learns in-game.
The focus is on story, exploration and interaction, but Mythfarer does not ignore the RPG foundations of tactical combat, spell systems, and puzzles.
If that sounds like fun, please read on.
Story
"Ankalibar" is the name given to the large and diverse continent on which Mythfarer's story takes place.
It is a word from Old High Talan that means "the peril of opportunity," chosen by the first settlers as a wry curse.
You awaken on The Islands, a calm but backwater corner of Ankalibar, with hazy memories of something having happened to you while at sea.
Soon after you recover, you begin to understand that whatever happened is somehow linked to the appearance of new creatures across the length and breadth of Ankalibar. You learn of sages far across the continent who might know something of these events, and set out to find them.
Of course, your journeys will not be easy...
Updates
We are hard at work on the first alpha build of Mythfarer, which will be a "vertical slice" through the game, showcasing most of its features in a limited geographical area. We hope to release this first version as a closed alpha in summer 2025
At this time we are not distributing this alpha build to the general public. Expect a public beta build much closer to release, perhaps in 2026.
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2025.04.07: We are now Mythfarer. The previous name was already taken!
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2025.03.31: Mythfarer was featured on The CoCo Nation Show. Youtube link.
Tandy Color Computer 3
Mythfarer is a native PC application, but it also runs identically on the Tandy Color Computer 3 from the 1980s.
Included in the digital package is a zip file containing disk image files that can be copied to 5.25" floppy disks and used directly on the coco.
If you intend to run Mythfarer on the coco, please be aware that 512k and at least one floppy drive is required, with up to four floppy drives supported.
Technology
Mythfarer is built with a custom virtual machine architecture.
There are VM implementations for PC and the Color Computer 3.
Most of the game-play and story code is written in a custom high-level language that compiles to the VM instructions, and thus runs identically on PC and Coco.
We call this system ROAVM, for Really Old Architecture Virtual Machine, but ROAVM is also a nod to the amazing retro RPG Realms of Antiquity. If you're looking for something to do while you wait for Mythfarer, be sure to check out RoA. It's a truly great retro RPG.