Riders Of The Nine Planes is a single-player strategy, indie, RPG, and adventure title built around a mounted cavalier experience across multiple planes of existence. The core loop centers on controlling a rider and steed that moves through roguelike environments, with charging serving as the central mechanic for both movement and spell selection.
Gameplay
Movement relies on riding the steed in straight lines to build energy charge. Once enough charge accumulates, the player selects from numbers one through six to direct the steed into a full-speed charge toward a chosen target. This action can strike enemies or even walls, triggering the discharge of a selected spell. Stationary positioning leaves the rider exposed, so constant forward momentum and careful path planning become essential to survival.
The experience begins with roguelike runs focused on short, high-risk sessions where death resets progress. As the player advances, the structure expands into deeper RPG systems that track character growth, equipment, and persistent choices across runs. Later stages introduce strategy layers where control over lands and entire planes of existence comes into play. These layers remain partially developed at present, with the developer noting that full implementation is still in progress.
Additional systems include a journey save feature that lets players resume from the title screen. The interface relies primarily on keyboard input, though work continues on smoother mouse support. The design intentionally allows players to treat the game like a simple arcade-style session or engage with its more elaborate long-term consequences, such as building power toward the title of Emperor of the Known Multiverse.
Game Modes
The game does not feature distinct named modes in the traditional sense. Instead, it follows a progressive structure that shifts emphasis over time. Early play emphasizes roguelike exploration and survival through repeated short runs. Mid-game focus moves toward RPG elements such as character development and resource management. Late-game play incorporates strategy components tied to territorial control, though these elements are not yet fully realized.
Real-time simulation occurs during attract mode on the title screen and splash sequences. Extended idle time in these screens can trigger events that either advance or undermine a player's holdings, depending on the current state of controlled areas. This passive system ties directly into the broader progression without requiring active input.
Progression and Goals
Players begin each world-history with the ultimate prize of Emperor of the Known Multiverse vacant and available for claim. Reaching this status requires careful navigation of the charge-based combat, avoidance of stationary vulnerability, and gradual expansion of influence across planes. The roguelike foundation supports repeated attempts, while the growing RPG and strategy layers reward persistence with deeper systems and larger-scale decisions.
Portals discovered during runs can open access to additional planes, expanding the scope of exploration and control. These transitions occur unpredictably, adding variety to individual sessions without altering the fundamental charge-and-discharge loop.
Is It Worth Playing?
Riders Of The Nine Planes targets players who enjoy roguelike runs that evolve into longer-term RPG and strategy experiences. The charge mechanic provides a distinctive loop that rewards momentum and precise timing, while the option to ignore complex systems lets newcomers focus on basic riding and spell discharge. Because the title remains unreleased with no user reviews available, expectations should center on the documented single-player systems and the developer's stated philosophy of flexible depth. Those drawn to indie titles that blend roguelike simplicity with multiverse-spanning progression may find the current build worth monitoring ahead of its planned December 7, 2026 release on PC.
