Passageway of the Ancients

About Passageway of the Ancients

Inspired by classic CRPGs from the ‘90s and a few from the early 2000s, Passageway of the Ancients will transport you to the world of Aieryon – the galaxy’s sole remaining magical planet – where you’ll explore the city of Ithgar to solve an unspeakable crime. Beset with grief, you’ll be tasked with surviving deadly creatures lurking behind every door while gathering clues, managing your party, and leveling up your character. You also must pick locks and solve Runic puzzles to gather the best loot.

Story & Gameplay

Combat is tough, complex, and always surprising. Taking inspiration from historical weapons and tactics, Passageway of the Ancients employs a sophisticated combat system. Begin each encounter paused, plan your strategy, then fight in real-time, pausing again at any point (RTwP – Real Time with Pause). How you battle is up to you! Furthermore, you’ll have dual personas to deal with – a hidden “Dragonkindt,” and a public-facing race of your choosing (Dwarf, Elf, Human) – which must be leveled up at the same time.

Here’s the official description of Dragonkindt – taken from Jon Grierson’s unpublished novel,
The Children of Xi-Shei:

“Dragonkindt are part angelic being, part shapeshifter, and part Dragon. These creatures were thought to be merely the phantasms of some eastern poetic genius, inspired prophet, or demented scholar.”

Key Features

RTwP – Real Time with Pause:

Use both turn-based and real-time elements – drawing on real medieval weapons and tactics.

Unleash Your Dragonkindt Nature:

Develop your character’s two personas simultaneously – a hidden “Dragonkindt,” and a public-facing race of your choosing.

Sharpen Your Wits & Make Strategic Choices:

Manage battle spoils, solve puzzles, adjust the frequency of special activities, choose interactions, and gather clues.

Wield Powerful Magical Items:

Carefully equip items affecting intelligence, will, and other character attributes.

Customize Your Character:

Choose your character’s alternate persona, appearance, and gender as Dwarf, Elf or Human.

About Passageway Games

Passageway Games is a four-person studio in Abilene, Texas that was founded in 2014 by septuagenarians Jon Grierson and John Hendrick – who first worked together 30 years ago on a medical device project. During that project, Hendrick was impressed with Grierson’s work ethic, creativity, and technical skills. Leveraging his 50-year history with RPGs, Grierson approached Hendrick with the idea of working together again – this time, on an indie game!