Basileus

The year is 717. The Arab siege has been broken, and young soldier Theodore carries news of victory to the Emperor in Constantinople. Ahead of him lies the long road of the Via Egnatia — swarming with raiders, armored footmen and ballistae, and the treacherous waters of the Bosphorus. At the end of the road shines the Golden Gate.

BASILEUS is a retro 2D platformer inspired by the classics of the genre, set in the Byzantine Empire. All graphics, music and sound are procedurally generated — a pixel-art dusk over Constantinople, and a musical theme built on the ison, the drone note of Byzantine chant.

⚔️ What awaits you:

• Collect golden solidi — every 50 coins grants an extra life
• Smash amphora blocks to uncover power-ups: the skutatos shield (survive one hit) and Greek fire (hurl bouncing fireballs!)
• Chain-stomp raiders for ever-higher scores — but beware: jumping can't harm the armored footman
• Launch yourself over chasms with a catapult, cross the Bosphorus on moving platforms, dodge ballista bolts
• Light the oil lamps (checkpoints) and reach the Golden Gate as fast as you can — a speed bonus awaits!

🎮 Controls:

• Desktop: Arrow keys / A-D — move · SPACE — jump (hold for higher) · X — Greek fire
• Mobile: on-screen touch controls (rotate your phone to landscape)

Made in Unity. This is a demo of the first chapter — the journey through the Empire continues!