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A Typing Test from Hell (and Heaven)
Standing out in a recognised genre can be challenging, but TBA Studio, a young Indonesian developer, seems determined to make keyboards exciting again. Their debut project, TypeCaster, showcased at IGDX 2025, merges fast-paced action, spellcasting, and roguelike intensity into one wild typing-powered adventure.
At first glance, TypeCaster looks like a quirky action RPG — a 2.5D fantasy filled with traps, monsters, and bosses. But once your fingers hit the keyboard, it transforms into something else entirely. Attacks, spells, and even dodges are tied to your ability to type spell names quickly and precisely.
Spells by Syntax
In TypeCaster, your hero — a once-shameless thief cursed to climb the Tower of Trials — can only fight by typing. Want to hurl a fireball? You’ll need to type the spell’s name exactly, letter by letter. Make a mistake and there’s no backspace — only panic. Hit enter, accept your punishment, and watch your character stumble helplessly for a few seconds.
Each spell is effective within a limited range, direction, and elemental traits. With only four active slots available at a time, players must choose combinations carefully to exploit enemy weaknesses. Dozens of spells across seven elemental types are planned for the full release, each with increasingly elaborate incantations that challenge even veteran typists.
The team’s design cleverly integrates Latin and Greek-inspired terminology to make spellcasting feel arcane but universal — familiar to Western players, yet flavourful and distinct.
Where Souls Meet Spelling
Beneath its charming visuals and black-and-white palette, TypeCaster hides a streak of Soulslike brutality. Timing and precision matter as much as your typing speed. Boss fights feature massive area-of-effect (AOE) attacks that force players to read patterns and choose the safest moment to cast.
During our brief hands-on session at IGDX, it was clear that we needed to be on our toes against a towering enemy whose rhythm of red-ringed AOE explosions demanded patience between every spell. Wait too long, and you risk losing tempo. Rush your typing, and you risk a fatal typo.
TBA Studio promises that later bosses will test both endurance and reflexes, capturing the punishing thrill of a FromSoftware fight through nothing more than your keyboard.
A Minimalist Spellbook
Visually, TypeCaster stands apart from the hyper-saturated RPGs of today. Its grayscale aesthetic feels deliberate — clean, focused, and striking in motion. Dangers were clear in red, making it easy for players to read the room and focus on what they need to do.
Whether that holds up for the long run is up for debate, but at the very least, it’s a straightforward enough proposition that keeps the spotlight clearly on gameplay.
From IGDX to the World
TypeCaster ’s IGDX 2025 demo often left players intrigued and occasionally panicked — a perfect reaction for a game that treats typing like a survival skill. With a planned 2026 release, the team aims to expand its spell roster, refine combat readability, and explore localisation beyond English, which has its own set of challenges.
Such innovation highlights the growing ambition of Indonesia’s new generation of developers — creators who aren’t afraid to fuse nostalgia with fresh ideas. For players, it’s a reminder that sometimes, innovation doesn’t need a new controller — just a faster set of fingers.
A demo for TypeCaster is available now on Steam.
