The impact of Nintendo’sLegend of Zeldaseries is hard to overstate. From iconic mechanics and sound design to imaginative dungeons, the series' influence is palpable and references are frequent. The indie scene has thrived withZelda-likes, from early examples likeThe Binding of Isaacfeaturing dungeon layouts akin to the NES original toAndrew Shouldice’s recent successTunic. Games likeA Link to the Past,Link’s Awakening, andMajora’s Maskare cornerstones that Pocket Llama’sToasty: Ashes of Duskpays homage to.
This action-adventure RPG is seeking funding throughKickstarter- though it hit the initial $25,000 USD goal under three hours after its campaign launched on March 29.Zeldagames are notToasty’s only inspiration; its crowdfunding page also namesPokemonandFinal Fantasy, among others. Yet director Justin “Dooper” East said the idea originated from its team wanting to “scratch that itch” withZelda-like RPGs. Game Rant spoke to East aboutToasty’s blend of influences contributing to a title fitting its team’s personalities.
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How Toasty: Ashes of Dusk Stands Apart
Toasty: Ashes of Duskis Pocket Llama’s debut venture, starting with just two developers and fluctuating before landing on its current team of six: East, narrative director and concept artist Ivy Jade Weaver, art director Brian Farrar, composer Maya Oliveira, programmer Faulty Functions, and community manager Tanya “Tannyerz” Courtney. East said the group consists of friends, like him and Farrar who work on East’s “low-poly LlamaVTuber” night gig; or friends-of-friends, like Oliveira being brought in on a recommendation; but this is the first time they’ve done a bigger project. Pocket Llama’s connection with publisher Top Hat Studios also came from mutual connections with East, who feels “they’re a good bunch of dorks.”
In establishing the concept forToasty, East said the team had a ton of ideas but wanted to avoid feature creep. Creating aZelda-like RPG with a marshmallow knight (spawned from East’s inability to draw a head) became its core, but to stand out from similar indie ventures Pocket Llama is focusing on mechanics “that are often overlooked.” For example, he points to themonkey trading quest inLink’s Awakeningthat may not be key to the plot, but “makes the game that much more fun.”
“What we want to do withToastyis take what made those classic games memorable to us and create something unique.”
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Toasty is a Sum of Many Parts
Despite trying to avoid feature creep,Toasty: Ashes of Duskleverages its variety of inspirations to create something of a genre mashup. For example, there will be some puzzle-platforming elements via Marshmallow Abilities inspired byMario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, with protagonist Marshall able to squish down and fit through tight spaces, or roll like a wheel. These abilities can also be utilized in its real-time combat.
Another selling point for the game is how it will shift into “different genre moments” fitting its “weird” vibe, many tied to boss battles. AFinal Fantasy-style turn-based battle against The Judge will reward players with The Trash Masher item, which is a gavel that becomes a hammer in Marshall’s much smaller grip - a play on theball and chain fromTwilight Princess, according to East. Even more content is promised through achieved stretch goals on Kickstarter, such as a “Toasty Dating Sim.”
The game’s mix of styles is built around a “classic” formula, in which players learn about their new abilities or items from encounters like bosses, then are encouraged to backtrack and explore areas they clocked earlier.Toasty’s progression is linear, according to East, “but you never know.” There may also be plans to hire more help for programming after the Kickstarter ends, that way the team can keep its “over-the-top” ambitions. Still, the director is most excited for people to see the story Pocket Llamas is telling, one that’sinspired by games likeEarthboundbut has “become a part of us,” conveying the humor of the “bunch of jokesters” pouring themselves into it.
“Game development is hard. But it’s not impossible! I made the original build ofToastylearning from YouTube and online courses. If you want to make a game, go out there and make that game. We all have a story to tell, and life is about finding what medium we will use to tell it.”
Toasty: Ashes of Duskis in development for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Its Kickstarter lasts until July 11, 2025.
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