38.88.107.62 at 06:33, 3 September 2021

2021-09-03T06:33:02Z

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{{short description|Indie video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Raji: An Ancient Epic
| image = Raji game logo.webp
| alt =
| caption =
| developer = Nodding Heads Games
| publisher = Super.com
| engine = [[Unreal Engine 4]]
| platforms = {{plainlist|
*[[Microsoft Windows]]
*[[PlayStation 4]]
*[[Xbox One]]
*[[Nintendo Switch]]}}
| released = '''Nintendo Switch'''{{vgrelease|WW|18 August 2020}}'''Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One'''{{vgrelease|WW|15 October 2020}}
| genre = [[Action-adventure game|Action-adventure]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
| designer = Avichal Singh<ref name = "Press Kit"/>
| programmer = {{plainlist|
*Paras Chaudhary
*Dipam Bora<ref name = "Press Kit"/>}}
| artist = {{plainlist|
*Shruti Ghosh
*Ian Maude
*Shreyas Pai<ref>{{Cite web|title=Team|url=https://www.noddingheadsgames.com/media|access-date=2020-10-30|website=noddingheadsgames|language=en}}</ref><ref name = "Press Kit"/>}}
| writer =
| composer = Linus Tzelos<ref name = "Press Kit">{{cite web |title=Press Kit |url=https://www.rajithegame.com/presskit |website=Raji The Game |access-date=9 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
}}
'''''Raji: An Ancient Epic''''' is an [[India]]n [[Action-adventure game|action-adventure]] [[video game]] developed by Nodding Heads Games based in [[Pune]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]. It was first released as a [[timed exclusive]] for [[Nintendo Switch]] on 18 August 2020, and released on 15 October 2020 for [[Microsoft Windows]] via the [[Steam (service)|Steam]] client and the [[Epic Games Store]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Raji: An Ancient Epic on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/730390/Raji_An_Ancient_Epic/ |website=Steam |access-date=9 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref> [[PlayStation 4]], and [[Xbox One]].<ref>{{cite web |title=5 Upcoming Xbox One Games To Keep On Your Radar |url=https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/5-upcoming-xbox-one-games-to-keep-on-your-radar/2900-2688/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=9 August 2020}}</ref>

The game incorporates [[Hindu mythology]] and takes inspiration from history texts such as the ''[[Mahabharata]]'' and ''[[Ramayana]]''. Graphically, the game is designed in the style of [[Pahari painting]]s, and the in-game architecture is modeled after that of medieval [[Rajasthan]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/UP5729-CUSA20607_00-RAJIANANCIENTEPI|title = Raji: An Ancient Epic}}</ref>

== Plot ==
The story revolves around Raji, an orphaned circus performer. Her only family is her younger brother, Golu, a story teller. On the day of Raksha Bandhan, demons attack the carnival where the siblings work. As the demon army lays waste to the land, three of them abduct Golu. This forces Raji to go on a journey to get her brother back. Meanwhile, watching her are the deities, Goddess [[Durga]] and Lord [[Vishnu]]. Durga supports her young devotee while Vishnu has some doubts about her. Raji races through the Ruins, and upon reaching a temple of Durga, gets a divine trishul (trident) from her, which she uses to battle and kill the demons and save their captives while also unlocking traditional stories and her childhood memories.

The mastermind behind Golu's abduction and the demon invasion is revealed to be the demon lord Mahabalasura. He was once one of the Mystics, knowledgeble people with great spiritual power but was outcasted for his arrogance. So, he did penance to please Lord [[Brahma]], who granted him the boon of immortality and a powerful trishul. Using these gifts, he reunited his new people, the demons, and started spreading chaos and destruction on Earth. When Bhoomi Devi (Mother Earth) urged him to stop this, he killed her. This angered Lord [[Shiva]], who imprisoned him. After years of captivity, Mahabalasura has returned.

Raji follows the demons who took Golu and many other children to the Fortress of Jaidhar. She is also gifted a divine bow by Lord Vishnu, who starts finding her capable. Upon reaching the fort, the demon Chieftain sends Golu to Mahabalasura via a magic portal before Raji can save him. As Raji kills the Chieftain, Golu reaches Mahabalsura's realm where the demon lord puts him under his control.

Raji is then sent to Hiranya Nagari, a heavenly and technologically advanced city of Lord Vishnu, which has been taken over by [[Rangda]], a powerful demon queen, who has put the city's guards under her spell and poisoned it's waters. Raji races through the city, killing Rangda's minions and repairing the damage she did. She is also gifted a divine sword and shield by the two deities watching her, while being haunted by horrifying visions of Golu. Raji finally vanquishes Rangda and then is taken on Mayura, a giant beautiful white peacock by a Mystic, to his land to stop Mahabalasura.

As she reaches the Land of the Mystics, Raji finds that many of them have been either killed or turned to stone by Mahabalasura. After fighting through the demon hordes and calming the Naga, the giant serpent demigod and guardian of the land, she finally confronts Mahabalasura. He forces the Mystic chief to give him an ancient scroll and escapes after attacking Raji and being wounded by her. Raji, near death, is revived by the Mystics and reunites with her brother. However, it is revealed that Mahabalasura wants to get revenge on the Gods for imprisoning him. His plan is to open the gates of heaven, allowing him to invade the realm of the Gods and destroy them. The scroll he took from the Mystic chief contained the incantation to open the gates. Raji has been chosen as the warrior who will destroy him and restore the cosmic balance. So, she continues her journey, leaving Golu with the Mystics.

Raji reaches the Thar Desert, where Mahabalasura has gone to set his plans in motion. She also receives the Sudarshan Chakra, Lord Vishnu's most powerful weapon. Racing through the desert and killing demons, Raji finally faces Mahabalasura using the Chakra. Almost defeated, he tricks Raji by distracting her with several clones of himself. While Raji fights the clones, the demon lord is joined by Golu who, still under his control, recites the chant and opens the gate. (It can be implied that the reason why Golu was abducted was because the chant required a person of pure heart to work, as the two deities once stated.) Now, with his plans successful, Mahabalasura proceeds to assault the Gods' realm, leaving Golu to be once again reunited with Raji, as the fate of both the Gods and humanity is left ambiguous.

==Development==
''Raji: An Ancient Epic'' is the first game developed by Nodding Heads Games based in [[Pune]], [[Maharashtra]], India. The game was developed by a team of thirteen people.<ref name="Substance">{{cite web |title=Raji: An Ancient Epic – Enter the Realm of Indian Mythology |url=https://magazine.substance3d.com/raji-an-ancient-epic-enter-the-realm-of-indian-mythology/ |website=Substance 3D - Magazine |access-date=9 August 2020 |date=2 July 2020}}</ref> A six-man team at Nodding Heads Games began development on ''Raji: An Ancient Epic'' in January 2017.<ref>{{cite web |title='Raji: An Ancient Epic' by Nodding Heads Games is set to usher in fresh Indian flavours |url=https://www.animationxpress.com/latest-news/raji-an-ancient-epic-by-nodding-heads-games-is-set-to-usher-in-fresh-indian-flavours/ |website=AnimationXpress |access-date=9 August 2020 |date=2 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Suckley |first1=Matt |title=Indie developers in India are channeling their history into exciting new games |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/indie-developers-in-india-are-channeling-their-history-into-exciting-new-games/ |website=PC Gamer |access-date=9 August 2020 |date=17 November 2017}}</ref> The developers cited ''[[Bastion (video game)|Bastion]]'' and ''[[Journey (2012 video game)|Journey]]'' as being major influences on the game, and ''[[God of War (franchise)|God of War]]'', ''[[Ico]]'', ''[[Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons]]'', and ''[[Dark Souls]]'' as other influences.<ref>{{cite web |title=Raji: An Ancient Epic channels Hindu mythology for a change |url=https://www.destructoid.com/raji-an-ancient-epic-channels-hindu-mythology-for-a-change-477037.phtml |website=Destructoid |access-date=9 August 2020 |language=english}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Nellore |first1=Sujayendra Krishna |title=An Interview With The Makers Of Raji: An Ancient Epic |url=https://www.stumagz.com/an-interview-with-the-makers-of-raji-an-ancient-epic/ |website=www.stumagz.com |access-date=9 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Nodding Heads Games attempted to secure funding for the game through [[Kickstarter]] with a funding goal of [[Pound sterling|£]]120,000 in 2017. The campaign raised over £66,000 but fell short of its funding goal.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Evans-Thirlwell |first1=Edwin |title=Raji and the rise of Indian gamedev |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-11-27-raji-and-the-rise-of-indian-gamedev |website=Eurogamer |access-date=9 August 2020 |language=en |date=29 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Raji: An Ancient Epic - Action Adventure in Ancient India (Canceled) |url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1343822689/raji-an-ancient-epic?ref=7yk9bn |website=Kickstarter |access-date=9 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref> A twenty-minute demo of the game was made available as a free download on 8 November 2017 alongside the Kickstarter, and was also playable at the Indian Games Expo 2017 and the 2017 [[NASSCOM|Nasscom]] Game Developer Conference.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wood |first1=Austin |title=Try the demo for mythological action RPG Raji: An Ancient Epic |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/try-the-demo-for-mythological-action-rpg-raji-an-ancient-epic/ |website=PC Gamer |access-date=9 August 2020 |date=30 November 2017}}</ref>

Despite securing funding through the Unreal Dev Grants program, a $5 million fund supporting developers working with [[Unreal Engine|Unreal Engine 4]], developer Shruti Ghosh had to sell her apartment to sustain the team until they found a publisher.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-14|title=Raji: An Ancient Epic – The story behind the 'Made in India' game everyone is waiting for|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/gaming/raji-an-ancient-epic-interview-made-in-india-game-6584498/|access-date=2020-10-30|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>

''Raji'' was included in the [[Square Enix Collective]] in October 2017.<ref>{{cite web |title=Raji: An Ancient Epic is an Action-Adventure Game Set in Ancient India and That Has a New Gameplay Trailer |url=https://www.dualshockers.com/raji-ancient-epic-action-adventure-game-set-ancient-india-new-gameplay-trailer/ |website=DualShockers |access-date=9 August 2020 |language=en |date=9 October 2017}}</ref> The game was developed for Microsoft Windows. Nodding Heads Games co-founder and lead designer Avichal Singh stated in November 2017 that they also planned to release the game on consoles. He stated that they had begun "the [[Game development kit|dev kit]] conversation" with [[Microsoft]] but had not yet approached [[Sony]] or [[Nintendo]]. He added, "It's a matter of constraints we follow to make sure the game is running on these platforms because they have technical constraints. As long as they can keep to that we will be good. [[Unreal Engine|Unreal Engine 4]] makes life a bit easier. You have direct [[porting]] options as well."<ref>{{cite web |title=How God of War Influenced India's Raji: An Ancient Epic |url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/games/features/raji-ancient-epic-kickstarter-god-of-war-nodding-heads-interview-1781399 |website=NDTV Gadgets 360 |access-date=9 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

Nodding Heads Games announced a partnership with game publisher Super.com in March 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last=Garst |first=Aron |title='Raji: An Ancient Epic' Mixes Tight Combat, Gorgeous Visuals and Indian Culture |url=https://variety.com/2019/gaming/features/raji-an-ancient-epic-mixes-tight-combat-gorgeous-visuals-and-indian-culture-1203171186/ |website=Variety |access-date=9 August 2020 |language=en |date=25 March 2019}}</ref> The game was demoed at the annual India Game Developer Conference in [[Hyderabad]], [[Telangana]], in October 2019.<ref name="Substance"/> A new demo of the game was made available through Steam on 23 March 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Raji: An Ancient Epic - Play our new demo with the Steam Game Festival! |url=https://store.steampowered.com/newshub/app/730390/view/1805320783852541272 |website=Steam News |access-date=9 August 2020 |language=en |date=18 March 2020}}</ref> An Xbox One demo of the game was released in July 2020 as part of the Xbox Summer Game Fest.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ancient India Based Action-Adventure Game RAJI: AN ANCIENT EPIC Releases Demo On Xbox One |url=http://gametyrant.com/news/ancient-india-based-action-adventure-game-raji-an-ancient-epic-releases-demo-on-xbox-one |website=GameTyrant |access-date=9 August 2020}}</ref>

==Release==
The game was released for [[Nintendo Switch]] as a timed exclusive on 18 August 2020.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=August 2020|first=Austin Wood 18|title=All the Switch games that got a surprise release today|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/all-the-switch-games-that-got-a-surprise-release-today/|access-date=2020-08-26|website=gamesradar|language=en}}</ref> It was released on 15 October 2020 for [[Microsoft Windows]] via the [[Steam (service)|Steam]] client and the [[Epic Games Store]], [[PlayStation 4]], and [[Xbox One]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=https://twitter.com/rajithegame/status/1316786214586941440|url=https://twitter.com/rajithegame/status/1316786214586941440|access-date=2020-10-16|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref> A [[Digital rights management|DRM]]-free version of the game was released on [[GOG.com]] on 22 March 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Release: Raji: An Ancient Epic |url=https://www.gog.com/news/release_raji_an_ancient_epic |website=GOG.com |access-date=27 March 2021}}</ref> ''Raji'' was added to [[Xbox Game Pass]] on 22 July 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=This Is the First Made-in-India Game on Xbox Game Pass |url=https://in.ign.com/raji-an-ancient-epic/162908/news/raji-an-ancient-epic-xbox-games-pass-release-date |website=IGN India |access-date=3 September 2021 |language=en-in |date=20 July 2021}}</ref> The game was [[Video game localization|localized]] for the Japanese market by [[Teyon|Teyon Japan]] and released for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch on 5 August 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ravi: An Ancient Epic Coming to Japan, Localization by Teyon Japan - TheFamicast.com: Japan-based Nintendo Podcasts, Videos & Reviews! |url=https://www.thefamicast.com/2021/07/ravi-ancient-epic-coming-to-japan.html |website=The Famicast |access-date=3 September 2021}}</ref>

In March 2021, Nodding Head Games announced plans for updates to the game including [[Hindi]] [[voice-over]]s, [[Ray tracing (graphics)|RTX]] support, [[Wallpaper Engine]], and enhancements to gameplay.<ref>{{cite web |title=Raji: An Ancient Epic Hindi Voiceovers Announced, GOG Version Released |url=https://in.ign.com/raji-an-ancient-epic/156653/news/raji-an-ancient-epic-hindi-release-date-gog-pc |website=IGN India |access-date=27 March 2021 |language=en-in |date=25 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Raji: An Ancient Epic PC RTX Support On the Way, Nodding Heads' Next Game to Focus on Indian Mythology and Culture |url=https://in.ign.com/raji-an-ancient-epic/155757/news/raji-an-ancient-epic-pc-rtx-release-date-indian-mythology-nodding-heads-next-game |website=IGN India |access-date=27 March 2021 |language=en-in |date=3 March 2021}}</ref>

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = NS: 69/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/raji-an-ancient-epic |title=Raji: An Ancient Epic for Switch Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=10 September 2020}}</ref><br />XONE: 70/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/raji-an-ancient-epic |title=Raji: An Ancient Epic for Xbox One Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=18 November 2020}}</ref><br />PC: 70/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/raji-an-ancient-epic |title=Raji: An Ancient Epic for PC Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=17 December 2020}}</ref>}}
On the review aggregator [[Metacritic]], the Nintendo Switch version of ''Raji: An Ancient Epic'' received a score of 69 out of 100 based on 21 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref name="MC" />

Players appreciated the game for its original soundtrack which blends well with the game's theme and setting. The game was also praised for its unique way of telling the history and mythology of the Indian subcontinent. However, criticism was directed towards its dated combat mechanics and its abrupt and unsatisfying ending.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

It was nominated for best debut game at [[The Game Awards 2020]] but lost to ''[[Phasmophobia (video game)|Phasmophobia]]''. This was the first time that an Indian game had been nominated for an award at the show.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.news18.com/news/tech/indias-first-game-awards-nominee-raji-an-ancient-epic-can-mature-our-gaming-industry-3168029.html |title=India's First Game Awards Nominee, Raji: An Ancient Epic, Can Mature Our Gaming Industry |publisher=[[News18]] |date=2020-12-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.firstpost.com/tech/gaming/the-game-awards-2020-indian-game-raji-nominated-for-best-debut-game-9030661.html |title=The Game Awards 2020: Indian game 'Raji' nominated for best debut game |publisher=[[Firstpost]] |date=2020-11-20}}</ref>

===Awards===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" width="auto"
|-
! scope="col"| Award
! scope="col"| Date of ceremony
! scope="col"| Category
! scope="col"| Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
!scope="row" rowspan=1|[[The Game Awards 2020]]
|rowspan=1|December 10, 2020
|Best Debut Game
|{{nominated}}
|rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web|title=The Game Awards: Ghost of Tsushima, Animal Crossing, TLOU 2 and More Nominated for GOTY|url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/the-game-awards-ghost-of-tsushima-animal-crossing-tlou-2-and-more-nominated-for-goty-esports-news/|website=Essentially Sports|date=November 19, 2020|last=Parthsarthy|first=Shwetang|access-date=November 19, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119135108/https://www.essentiallysports.com/the-game-awards-ghost-of-tsushima-animal-crossing-tlou-2-and-more-nominated-for-goty-esports-news/|archive-date=November 19, 2020}}</ref>
|-
!Pegases 2021
|March 17, 2021
||Best International Indie Game
|{{nominated}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pegases 2021|title=académie des arts et techniques du jeu vidéo|url=https://soumission-pegases.academiejeuvideo.org/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-08|website=soumission-pegases.academiejeuvideo.org|language=fr}}</ref>
|-
!Taipei Game Awards 2021
|January 28, 2021
|Grand Prix
|{{Won}}
|<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Show|first=台北國際電玩展 Taipei Game|title=Indie Game Award Winners {{!}} Taipei Game Show|url=http://tgs.tca.org.tw/indie_award_winners.php?b=2b_e|access-date=2021-04-08|website=台北國際電玩展 Taipei Game Show}}</ref>
|-
!Taipei Game Awards 2021
|January 28, 2021
|Winners Circle|Winners Circle Awards
|{{Won}}
|<ref name=":1" />
|-
![[SXSW Gaming Awards|SXSW]] 2021
|March 20, 2021
|Indie Game of the Year|Indie Game of the Year
|{{nominated}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gaming Awards {{!}} SXSW Conference & Festivals|url=https://www.sxsw.com/awards/gaming-awards/|access-date=2021-04-08|website=SXSW|language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
!MIX Live 2020
|December 24, 2020
|Best of MIX Live|Best of MIX Live
|{{Won}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=The MIX LIVE Showcase|url=https://www.mediaindieexchange.com/event/the-mix-live-virtual-showcase/|access-date=2021-04-08|website=The MIX|language=en-US}}</ref>
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official|https://www.rajithegame.com/}}
* {{Youtube|kVTKwaCaiLA|Teaser}}
* {{Youtube|tbAlRzvfBRw|Trailer 2017}}
* {{Youtube|CKYU_bcf_VA|GDC Gameplay Trailer 2019}}
* [https://www.noddingheadsgames.com/ Nodding Heads Games website]

[[Category:2020 video games]]
[[Category:Action-adventure games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Xbox One games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 4 games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Switch games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Video games about demons]]
[[Category:Video games set in antiquity]]
[[Category:Video games based on Hindu mythology]]
[[Category:Video games developed in India]]
[[Category:Ancient India in popular culture]]
[[Category:Video games set in India]]

Raji: An Ancient Epic - Revision history

38.88.107.62 at 06:33, 3 September 2021