Dino Tactics and Canadian Talent: My Pixel Power Play Experience with Dark Age Dinos
This year's Pixel Power Play was a fantastic showcase of Canadian game development talent. I had the chance to chat with several passionate teams, bringing fresh ideas to the industry. Among the standout demos I experienced was Dark Age Dinos by Toronto-based indie studio Woolly Walrus Games—a tactical roguelike that's as quirky as it is strategic.
Dark Age Dinos immerses you in a medieval world where dinosaurs don armor and wield swords. Whether you're a lone adventurer or part of a team, the game offers bite-sized adventures where teamwork and strategic thinking are key. As a fan of roguelikes like For The King, I was immediately captivated by the game's unique blend of tactical depth and lighthearted charm.
Playing the Dark Age Dinos demo was an absolute blast, especially when experiencing it with a friend. There's a certain magic in strategizing together, laughing at the unexpected moments, and exploring new mechanics as a team. This demo instantly earned a spot on my wishlist—a gem bound to become a staple in my gaming routine. I can already envision myself and my friends losing track of countless hours playing this game once the full game is released.
While playing the demo with friend of the network, SilkyC, I chatted with Arthur Daurio, one-half of the Woolly Walrus Games founding duo. According to the developer website, Arthur and Braydon Campbell met over a decade ago at George Brown College's Game Development Program, and their shared passion for unique, well-crafted games is evident in every detail of Dark Age Dinos. When I asked Arthur what inspired the project, he shared, "We wanted something fun but chill enough to play with friends while hanging on Discord." That ethos really comes through in the game's design—easy to pick up but with enough depth to keep you coming back. I can see myself doing just that with this game, Discord and all.
The demo already features a variety of character classes, unique enemies, and a whole array of cards and loot to discover, with tons more planned for the full game launch. The game supports up to four-player online co-op, but solo adventurers will feel right at home, too. The game draws inspiration from genre favorites like Slay the Spire but brings its own sense of humor and style to the table... Plus, who doesn't love dinosaurs?
Dark Age Dinos is set to launch sometime next year, and based on my experience with the demo, it's a game that's definitely worth keeping an eye on. If you're a fan of tactical roguelikes with a unique twist, this is a game you won't want to miss.
You can wishlist Dark Age Dinos on Steam now.
Pixel Power Play was a reminder of how much creativity is bubbling up in the Canadian indie scene. I'm looking forward to discovering everything Dark Age Dinos offers at launch—keep a lookout for a full review then! Here's to more sword-wielding dinos and the teams who dare to dream them up.
Check out all the demos that were on display at Pixel Power Play on Steam:
