Varminal - a Mario & Luigi-like Indie RPG!
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animalrpgdev.bsky.social
Varminal - a Mario & Luigi-like Indie RPG!
@animalrpgdev.bsky.social
690 followers 4 following 88 posts
Varminal is an indie rpg game inspired by the Mario & Luigi series, developed by Sleep Deprived Games. Follow us for updates on the game's development!
https://discord.gg/EBkqrbrruS

Support us on Ko-Fi for extra content!
https://ko-fi.com/animalrpgdev
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animalrpgdev.bsky.social
Varminal - a Mario & Luigi-like Indie RPG! @animalrpgdev.bsky.social · Jan 5
New Varminal devlog is live! 🎮✨
We show off our new 3D level editor, overworld AI improvements, enemy behaviors, battle transitions, and new moves! We’ve officially caught up to - and passed - our old engine progress!
#gamedev #JRPG #marioandluigi

youtu.be/kZb0AlkqyfU
Varminal Progress Update # 3 - Overworld moves, level design & more!
YouTube video by Varminal
youtu.be
Reposted by Varminal - a Mario & Luigi-like Indie RPG!
alcalico.com
WE ARE LIVE ON KICKSTARTER!!

Donate today and help us make Spacewing War 2 come true!!

⬇️Click here⬇️
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/alcalico/spacewing-war-2

#GameMaker #indiegame #retro #kickstarter #gamedev #16bits #shmup #shootemup #videogames #indie #pixelart
February 10, 2026 at 11:05 AM
animalrpgdev.bsky.social
The last bio for our main characters is here!
Here's some info about Vera, a masked Minal that certainly seems to stand out among the rest of the cast...
Character Bio detailing information about Vera, a character from the upcoming Indie Game Varminal. - The most mysterious of the main cast, Vera comes to Tara and Vyn’s aid early in the story, saving them from a perilous situation. - She feels very out of place within the walls of Bearoo City, the world as Tara and Vyn know it seems to be very unfamiliar to her. -After a chance encounter, something drives the two to search out for her to seek answers on why she intervened, and where she comes from. -Before she is ready to answer any of their questions, she tasks the two with an ominous quest, seemingly of great importance. - What end goal could she possibly have for our heroes...?
February 4, 2026 at 6:41 PM
animalrpgdev.bsky.social
...somehow, no one noticed the typo in Tara's bio 😭 HEROISM, IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE HEROISM
animalrpgdev.bsky.social Varminal - a Mario & Luigi-like Indie RPG! @animalrpgdev.bsky.social · Jan 8
With development moving smoother than ever, it’s time for us to finally introduce the main cast of Varminal!

Keep in mind the story is still being developed so some information may be subject to change, nevertheless... here is some info about our main heroes, Tara and Vyn!
Character Bio describing some background information about Tara, one of the two main characters of the indie game Varminal. TARA: - The one the story starts with!! - A feisty girl, a tomboy that wants to do things her own way, forge her own path in life. - Headstrong to a fault, she follows her unwavering need to be a hero, exploring the world with starry eyes and pure optimism! - She often causes friction by being brash, social cues tend to fly over her head, as she keeps it focused on the goal she has set for herself. - Very sheltered; has mostly spent her childhood days in her family home reading fairytales, and tales of heroim up in her room. - Raised in a cozy house in an otherwise harsh winter environment, a lifetime of chores to keep the house as warm as it is has left her with raw amounts of vigor to be tamed into strength. - Has read many things about the Starlight Guild and one day, she decided to leave her home and apply to show the world and those back home what she can REALLY be! Character Bio describing some background information about Vyn, one of the two main characters of the indie game Varminal. VYN: - A somewhat mysterious boy, who formed a duo with Tara in the most unlikely of circumstances. - Moody, insular and with a biting sarcasm to every comment he makes, Vyn naturally sets himself up to be a foil for his partner. - In the same way her bold personality can trample through his concerns, his cold, dry humor can reel her back down to earth. It often causes some friction between the two, though he really doesn't mean it to! - Tall and agile, he doesn't pack the same punch as Tara, but his decision-making more than makes up for it. He is able to perform craftier maneuvers with the skillset he has gained from adapting to his harsh life. - As for where he comes from... let's just say the place isn't exactly the friendliest. It exists somewhere through Asteria's desert, beyond the desolate stretches of old abandoned towns and factories... - Has a similar strong drive to Tara, even if he doesn’t wear it on his sleeve. He says he's just partnering up with her for the potential profits, but often seems a little too eager for that to be the full truth...
February 3, 2026 at 8:59 PM
Reposted by Varminal - a Mario & Luigi-like Indie RPG!
coozycoolz.bsky.social
Fanart Friday!!

Today’s fanart, @animalrpgdev.bsky.social !!

I absolutely adore how this game looks so far, I can’t wait for the full release!!
#Varminal #fanartfriday #furryart
March 28, 2025 at 11:18 AM
animalrpgdev.bsky.social
Another set of bios, probably our wordiest yet - giving some details about Tara and Vyn's unexpected rivals, Stella and Lune!

As always, we have posted the clean textless artwork in our discord server, so go ahead and join if you haven't yet!

discord.gg/EBkqrbrruS
Character Bio describing some background information about Stella, one of the supporting characters of the indie game Varminal. - A bit of a diva, Stella is a world-class member of the Starlight Guild! - Duo’d with her instrumentalist, Lune, they are on an endless tour! Exploring the surrounding area in their downtime whilst the tour bus sets up, just to give a big concert in the evening, they have stamina for sure! - A beautiful singing voice, her stage personality is cheery and bubbly, somewhat similar to Tara's natural state, but off camera, her more bratty and ruthless personality comes alive, one of the things that has propelled her into a similar level of guild stardom. - Sadly, rising stars themselves, Tara and Vyn naturally get in the way of her efforts, and given a choice, she would rather best the two than to share the spotlight that she has been accruing over her short successful years, which leads to her challenging the duo to a fight to prove who's the better team. - Her Ego definitely needs to be knocked down to size, having even outgrown Lune’s at this rate! Character Bio describing some background information about Lune, one of the supporting characters of the indie game Varminal. - The cool-headed multi-instrumentalist of the touring duo project. Giving a quiet, lone-wolf energy when on stage, leaving his few words a weight that has his fans swoon, a real badboy! No need to talk when his music does the talking for him... - A lot more smug, cocky, self-assured when off stage, but he doesn't quite fly off the handle like his partner, he keeps himself very well composed. - Similar to his compositions and melodies, he supports his partner Stella the best he can. - Enough time with audio engineering has allowed him to come up with plenty of gadgets to hunt with, amateur but effective tech based on synths, speakers and more to cause disarray in a battle. - That -is- what they were intended for, but if say, they needed to get ahead of some rising rivals, nothing would stop him from employing the same tactics as he does for monsters, right? - Lune and Stella have been friends since childhood, and as such Lune has always had a soft-spot for supporting his friend. Years of playing together in the backyard and dreams of being bigger naturally lead them both to the idea of joining the guild. - It is the determination behind Stella's vocal training that really shifted him into gear, motivating him to learn to be an instrumentalist. - They both have an unwavering drive to be famous, but unlike Stella, Lune does not let it get to him too much.
January 28, 2026 at 9:15 PM
animalrpgdev.bsky.social
Everything's going as intended.
January 21, 2026 at 10:20 PM
animalrpgdev.bsky.social
Continuing onward with our main cast, here is some information on Plink, the robot accompanying Tara and Vyn on their adventure, and Nova, his eccentric creator!
Character Bio describing some background information about Nova, one of the main supporting characters of the indie game Varminal. NOVA: - An extremely proud inventor and mechanic (and boy will she let you know it), Bearoo City’s finest! …as long as you’re okay with your consultation meeting being in the city's sewers. Despite her loud and proud personality, her eccentrism extends to finding the peace and quiet she needs to create in a strange way. - Despite the off-vibes she gives, she is extremely happy to aid Tara & Vyn with a host of gadgets and upgrades, provided they bring the necessary materials. No need to provide the full cost of labor, when the duo are doing such a good job advertising her work! - Besides, some might say having to endure her long-winded self praises and explanations of her process is the REAL cost of her work... - Not one to travel, but given the need, Plink allows her to chime in and communicate when the duo need technical advice. Definitely saves a trip back to her hideout! Character Bio describing some background information about Plink, one of the main supporting characters of the indie game Varminal. PLINK: - Built by Nova, Plink is her pride and joy invention, the assistant of all assistants! - A high-tech robot in lend to Tara & Vyn, so that he can prove himself as a capable assistant for any and all situations (and to provide a camera feed back to his eccentric creator, so that she can watch their journey). - The crown he's wearing, was awarded to Plink for winning the "invention of the era award" (...hosted, judged and awarded by Nova herself of course - who else would be qualified enough?), which in turn has given him a somewhat undeserved boost of confidence. - Always happy to give helpful advice and trivia on the area or task at hand, maybe even a little too much, to Vyn's occasional ire. - He integrates with some of the Starlight Guild's systems, allowing him to help in taking track of the duo's inventory, missions, logging info, and so on. - Plink's standout technology is his ability to transform, restructuring his body to provide tools for various situations. A trampoline to reach higher areas, a drill to dig deep underground and travel faster... - Helpful as a tool, encyclopedia or just a traveling companion, this jack of all trades is on his own journey, to also become the master of them all!
January 16, 2026 at 4:05 PM
animalrpgdev.bsky.social
With development moving smoother than ever, it’s time for us to finally introduce the main cast of Varminal!

Keep in mind the story is still being developed so some information may be subject to change, nevertheless... here is some info about our main heroes, Tara and Vyn!
Character Bio describing some background information about Tara, one of the two main characters of the indie game Varminal. TARA: - The one the story starts with!! - A feisty girl, a tomboy that wants to do things her own way, forge her own path in life. - Headstrong to a fault, she follows her unwavering need to be a hero, exploring the world with starry eyes and pure optimism! - She often causes friction by being brash, social cues tend to fly over her head, as she keeps it focused on the goal she has set for herself. - Very sheltered; has mostly spent her childhood days in her family home reading fairytales, and tales of heroim up in her room. - Raised in a cozy house in an otherwise harsh winter environment, a lifetime of chores to keep the house as warm as it is has left her with raw amounts of vigor to be tamed into strength. - Has read many things about the Starlight Guild and one day, she decided to leave her home and apply to show the world and those back home what she can REALLY be! Character Bio describing some background information about Vyn, one of the two main characters of the indie game Varminal. VYN: - A somewhat mysterious boy, who formed a duo with Tara in the most unlikely of circumstances. - Moody, insular and with a biting sarcasm to every comment he makes, Vyn naturally sets himself up to be a foil for his partner. - In the same way her bold personality can trample through his concerns, his cold, dry humor can reel her back down to earth. It often causes some friction between the two, though he really doesn't mean it to! - Tall and agile, he doesn't pack the same punch as Tara, but his decision-making more than makes up for it. He is able to perform craftier maneuvers with the skillset he has gained from adapting to his harsh life. - As for where he comes from... let's just say the place isn't exactly the friendliest. It exists somewhere through Asteria's desert, beyond the desolate stretches of old abandoned towns and factories... - Has a similar strong drive to Tara, even if he doesn’t wear it on his sleeve. He says he's just partnering up with her for the potential profits, but often seems a little too eager for that to be the full truth...
January 8, 2026 at 11:06 PM
animalrpgdev.bsky.social
New Varminal devlog is live! 🎮✨
We show off our new 3D level editor, overworld AI improvements, enemy behaviors, battle transitions, and new moves! We’ve officially caught up to - and passed - our old engine progress!
#gamedev #JRPG #marioandluigi

youtu.be/kZb0AlkqyfU
Varminal Progress Update # 3 - Overworld moves, level design & more!
YouTube video by Varminal
youtu.be
January 5, 2026 at 3:54 PM
animalrpgdev.bsky.social
Check out our new Overworld HUD! Pretty cool looking, right?

We're definitely going to further tweak the animations and polish it all up later, but what matters now is another core component of the gameplay is already implemented - we're moving at a great pace!

youtu.be/SCEzPu4iqhk
Weekly Progress Update # 2 - NEW HUD!
YouTube video by Varminal
youtu.be
November 15, 2025 at 11:45 PM
animalrpgdev.bsky.social
The first WEEKLY Varminal Update is here! 🎉

We're switching from Game Maker to @godotengine.org for easier 3D world handling, as well as implemented character switching (like in Superstar Saga!)

We're also happy to announce our new Lead Programmer joining us - Eezstreet!

youtu.be/4Ed4FTJ8gic
Varminal Progress Update - WE'RE SWITCHING ENGINES!
YouTube video by Varminal
youtu.be
November 8, 2025 at 10:41 PM
animalrpgdev.bsky.social
📢Development Update!📢

Another part of the battle system is finished - finally, all the death & revive animations are completed! This time, instead of a generic crystal, a special rejuvenating balm is the item needed to wake your friend back up.
September 21, 2025 at 5:38 PM
animalrpgdev.bsky.social
We hit 600 followers on bsky!! Thanks so much to everyone who believes in this project, we're gonna keep at it and hope we can make you all proud!
September 3, 2025 at 6:46 AM
animalrpgdev.bsky.social
We're finally back in action! And with a new bit of progress: enemies can now be hit on the overworld, and the battle transitions have a little jingle leading into the battle theme! There's also one if you're the one that gets hit, but we'll let you discover that one yourself in the game.
August 30, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Reposted by Varminal - a Mario & Luigi-like Indie RPG!
maxl0s.bsky.social
Random-ish enemy formations!
August 25, 2025 at 7:09 PM
animalrpgdev.bsky.social
Thanks to the help of our incredible discord community, Tara and Vyn now have their own little spot in Wplace!
If you'd like to come and add anything in the space that's available, go to wplace.live?lat=35.97238... and add in your own Varminal doodles around our big mural!
August 21, 2025 at 8:15 PM
animalrpgdev.bsky.social
Another bit of progress, getting poisoned and all animations accompanying that are implemented again. As well as different portraits and health icons to match! Little touches we hope will give more charm to the UI.

#indiegame #indiedev #indiegames #jrpg #rpg #marioandluigi #mario #devlog
July 6, 2025 at 7:33 PM
animalrpgdev.bsky.social
In between us adding and re-implementing other animations and features, we finished both characters' item using animations. Now they can throw them to each other, just like before, and also have a new animation for drinking stuff! Just to add that little bit of extra charm.
#indiegame #rpg #indiedev
June 29, 2025 at 8:57 PM
animalrpgdev.bsky.social
Tara's Jump counter has been re-implemented as well, but now with new animations! In the old beta, we just reused the regular jump sprites, but Paro wanted to go the extra mile, and we think it was worth it - stomping the enemies feels more satisfying than ever! #indiegame #marioandluigi #indiedev
June 21, 2025 at 3:09 PM
animalrpgdev.bsky.social
Next on the list, the Goouls! Complete with new sprites and slightly better attack tells! (missing a few sfx for now) As well as a much nicer test background courtesy of @gardy102.bsky.social !
We keep getting closer to re-implementing everything the old demo had, but now looking SO much better!
June 14, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Reposted by Varminal - a Mario & Luigi-like Indie RPG!
maxl0s.bsky.social
Melee fox bug
June 11, 2025 at 6:45 PM
animalrpgdev.bsky.social
Items are usable yet again! Complete with a new, more expressive and fluid animation. We're getting closer and closer to getting back where we were with the old battle system... but now with so much more style and charm! #Varminal #Indiegame #Indiedev
June 1, 2025 at 9:25 PM
animalrpgdev.bsky.social
With a new art style and more skill on the team, we were finally able to finally make the menus according to the first concept behind them - now Plink displays every option, not just the move icons! A small diegetic touch to tie UI and the game world a little. #varminal #indiegames #indiedev
May 4, 2025 at 2:30 AM
animalrpgdev.bsky.social
April 23, 2025 at 2:37 PM
animalrpgdev.bsky.social
2022 vs Now:

#Varminal #indiegames #gamedev
April 18, 2025 at 10:06 PM