Tylz (prototype)

A unique maze game from Mylstar, Tylz challenges players to manipulate an unusual playing field in this 1982 prototype. Controlling a jester character, you navigate an isometric landscape where tiles shift between black and purple based on your actions – whether by walking across them or firing projectiles. Holes in the ground can be filled with solid tiles by stepping over them, adding another layer of strategic interaction to the gameplay. The objective involves traversing levels while contending with a variety of enemies including soldiers, knights, birds, and even royalty like princes and queens. Certain obstacles require specific tactics; for instance, one type of block can only be destroyed by shooting at its side rather than directly facing it. Occasionally, a crown appears – collecting it instantly advances the player several levels ahead. Tylz is an exceptionally rare find, with only a handful of printed circuit boards ever created, making this single-player experience a fascinating glimpse into game development history. The screen displays 256 x 240 pixels and utilizes sixteen colors in a horizontal orientation; players use an eight-way joystick for movement and a single button to fire.