The Legend of Zelda XD2: Mercuris' Chess

About

The Legend of Zelda XD2: Mercuris Chess is a lighthearted parody adventure built on the Solarus engine. You play as Link in a world where a grumpy tycoon named Mr Grump has bought out the kingdom. The game mixes overworld exploration with two dungeons, side quests, and NPCs who deliver jokes and riddles. Dialogue and environmental humor drive the experience, with every character offering potential laughs or puzzles. Combat and puzzles are simple but functional, serving as a backdrop for the game’s running gag: a world where everything has a price. Made in 10 weeks by the Solarus Team as part of an April Fools joke, the game leans into its absurd premise with glee. The scriptland of the story and NPCs has earned praise in niche communities for its self-aware humor and tight writing. While the gameplay itself is basic, the charm comes from the jokes and the sheer audacity of the concept. Players who appreciate goofy dialogue and meta humor over mechanical depth will find it a quick but memorable romp.

Storyline

You do not need to have played the first XD game to enjoy Mercuris Chess. However, to appreciate the game’s introduction, you need to know that, in the first episode, Link locked Zelda up in his cave after a drinking night. The story takes place some months after that terrible night. While Link was trying to make up for his fault, a very rich business man named Mr Grump took over the kingdom and bought everything. There begins your next adventure, in a world where everything has a price and where truth and lies become undistinguishable.