Inquisitor's Heartbeat 0.5

The game Inquisitor’s Heartbeat immerses players in the tumultuous period of the 1300s, during the height of the brutal Inquisition. The narrative centers on Nicholas Eymerich, who is falsely accused of heresy after being found in possession of a forbidden book. Imprisoned within a castle dungeon, players are tasked with guiding Eymerich through a perilous escape to recover his stolen tome before it is transported to a remote monastery and inevitably destroyed.

With over six hours of gameplay, players navigate through 35 intricate levels spread across seven distinct environments. Progression requires stealth and careful listening, as guards and ferocious creatures patrol the labyrinthine corridors. Success depends heavily on audio cues, requiring players to remain alert and attentive to sounds such as footsteps, echoes, and environmental noises that indicate danger or direction. The game also features an ‘endless’ mode, which generates continuously new mazes, each with unique layouts to challenge even seasoned players.

Developed for PC and Mac platforms, and scheduled for release on iOS devices, Inquisitor’s Heartbeat is a collaborative effort between Rising Pixel and Ornitocopter. The game’s atmospheric soundtrack is composed by Luca Rungi, with TiconBlu serving as the publisher.

Game controls for iOS devices involve intuitive touch inputs: moving the character by tapping the four edges of the screen to change direction, while central taps perform actions such as pulling levers or gathering objects. The character advances at a consistent pace, akin to moving on a chessboard, emphasizing strategic step management. Accurate navigation relies on attentive listening; players must interpret ground noises, echoes, and sound variations to determine their position and avoid obstacles—hitting walls or misjudging distances can lead to setbacks or detection by enemies.