Trishul Glorious Expedition

Game Overview 🎮

Basic Information

Developer: Daman Games Studios, Mumbai

Publisher: Daman Games

Release Date: 15 March 2024

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android

Genre: Action-adventure, RPG, Mythology

Mode: Single-player, Multiplayer (co-op)

What Makes Trishul Glorious Expedition Unique?

In a gaming industry dominated by Western fantasy and sci-fi themes, Trishul Glorious Expedition brings a fresh perspective by diving deep into Indian mythology, particularly the Shaivite traditions and the tales of Lord Shiva's various avatars. The game doesn't just use mythology as a backdrop but weaves it into the core gameplay mechanics, making the divine weapons, mantras, and abilities feel authentic and meaningful.

The developers at Daman Games have worked closely with Sanskrit scholars, mythologists, and cultural experts from Banaras Hindu University and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts to ensure that the representation of myths, rituals, and historical settings remains accurate and respectful. This attention to detail has earned the game praise from both gamers and cultural experts alike.

Another standout feature is the game's setting across different regions of ancient India, from the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the lush forests of the Western Ghats, and from the sacred city of Kashi to the royal courts of Magadha. Each region is meticulously crafted to reflect the local architecture, traditions, and wildlife of the era, creating a truly immersive experience.

Reception & Awards

Since its release, Trishul Glorious Expedition has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics and players. Gaming publications like IGN India gave it a 9/10 rating, calling it "a landmark achievement for Indian game development." The Times of India described it as "a game that every Indian gamer should be proud of."

The game has won several awards, including:

• Best Game at the Indian Game Awards 2024
• Excellence in Narrative at the South Asian Game Awards
• Best Art Direction at the Digital India Awards
• People's Choice Award at the Mumbai Gaming Festival

Within just three months of release, Trishul Glorious Expedition had sold over 2 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling Indian-developed game of all time.

Gameplay Mechanics ⚔️

Core Gameplay

Trishul Glorious Expedition is an action-adventure RPG with elements of open-world exploration, combat, puzzle-solving, and character progression. Players take on the role of a young devotee of Lord Shiva who is chosen to wield a fragment of the divine Trishula to defeat the forces of darkness threatening to engulf the world.

The gameplay is divided into several key components:

Combat System

The combat system in Trishul Glorious Expedition is a mix of hack-and-slash action and strategic use of divine abilities. Players can perform light and heavy attacks with the Trishula, dodge, parry, and use special abilities known as "Shakti" attacks.

As players progress, they unlock different forms of the Trishula, each with unique abilities:

• Pralaya: The destructive form that deals massive damage to enemies
• Srishti: The creative form that allows healing and protection
• Stithi: The preservative form that grants defensive capabilities
• Ananta: The infinite form that combines all three aspects

Each form has its own skill tree, allowing players to customize their playstyle. The combat also incorporates mantras that players can chant (using controller inputs or keyboard combinations) to unleash powerful attacks or buffs.

Open World Exploration

The game world of Trishul Glorious Expedition is divided into five major regions, each representing a different part of ancient India:

• Himalaya Khanda: The snow-covered mountain region where players meet sages and celestial beings
• Madhyadesh Khanda: The central plains with kingdoms like Kashi, Ayodhya, and Hastinapura
• Dakshinapatha Khanda: The southern region with lush forests and kingdoms like Kanchipuram and Madurai
• Pravas Khanda: The coastal regions and islands
• Patala Khanda: The underworld realm with mythical creatures and challenges

Each region has its own side quests, collectibles, and challenges. Players can travel between regions using various means, including horses, elephants, boats, and even divine transportation in later stages.

Puzzle Solving

Trishul Glorious Expedition features numerous puzzles inspired by ancient Indian mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy. These puzzles often involve:

• Arranging lingams or other sacred symbols in specific patterns
• Solving mathematical problems from the Vedas and Shastras
• Aligning celestial bodies using a unique astronomy mechanic
• Decoding ancient scripts and languages

The puzzles are integrated into the story and environment, often requiring players to use their Trishula abilities in creative ways.

Character Progression

Players can level up their character by gaining experience points through combat, completing quests, and discovering secrets. Each level grants skill points that can be used to unlock new abilities in the skill tree.

The game also features a unique "Bhakti" (devotion) system where players can increase their connection with Lord Shiva by performing rituals, visiting temples, and making offerings. Higher Bhakti levels unlock more powerful abilities and divine blessings.

Multiplayer Mode

Trishul Glorious Expedition offers a cooperative multiplayer mode where up to three players can team up to tackle challenging missions and boss fights. Each player can choose a different avatar with unique abilities, encouraging teamwork and strategic coordination.

The game also features weekly challenges and events based on Hindu festivals, with special rewards for participating.

Lore & Story 📜

Setting & Background

Trishul Glorious Expedition is set in the Treta Yuga, a mythical age in Hindu cosmology known for the Ramayana epic. However, the game's story takes place several centuries after Lord Rama's victory over Ravana, when the balance between good and evil has started to shift once again.

The game begins with the awakening of the Asura king Andhaka, a powerful demon born from the third eye of Lord Shiva himself. Andhaka, who was defeated and imprisoned by Lord Shiva in a previous age, has broken free from his prison with the help of a mysterious sorcerer known as Maya Rakshasa.

Andhaka's goal is to obtain the complete Trishula of Lord Shiva, which would grant him the power to challenge the gods and take control of the three worlds (heaven, earth, and underworld). To prevent this, Lord Shiva fragments the Trishula into three parts, hiding them in different locations across Bharatvarsha.

Main Storyline

Players assume the role of Arjun, a young orphan raised in the ashram of Sage Vasishta in the Himalayas. Arjun discovers that he is the reincarnation of a devotee who served Lord Shiva in a past life and has been chosen to find the fragments of the Trishula and stop Andhaka's plans.

The story unfolds as Arjun travels across ancient India, meeting various mythological characters who aid him in his quest:

• Sage Agastya: Who teaches Arjun the basics of using the Trishula and mantras
• Goddess Parvati: Who appears in various forms to guide and test Arjun
• Lord Hanuman: Who helps Arjun reach inaccessible locations and provides strength
• King Bhagiratha: Who shares his knowledge of ancient rivers and their secrets
• Sage Narada: Who provides comic relief and valuable information about the enemy's plans

As Arjun collects the fragments of the Trishula, he learns more about his past life and the true nature of Andhaka's threat. The story takes several twists and turns, with betrayals, alliances, and revelations about the balance between destruction and creation in the universe.

Mythological Accuracy & Creative Liberties

While Trishul Glorious Expedition stays true to the core tenets of Shaivite mythology, the developers have taken some creative liberties to make the story more engaging for modern gamers. The game's narrative team worked with Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik, a renowned mythologist, to ensure that these creative additions remain consistent with the spirit of the original myths.

One of the most interesting aspects of the game's lore is how it weaves together different regional variations of the same myths. For example, the story of Andhaka differs slightly between the Shiva Purana, the Linga Purana, and regional folk traditions, and the game incorporates elements from all these sources to create a cohesive narrative.

DLC & Expansions

Daman Games has announced several DLC expansions for Trishul Glorious Expedition that will expand the game's lore:

• "Ganges Quest": A story about Arjun helping King Bhagiratha bring the Ganges down to earth
• "Kailash Summit": A journey to Lord Shiva's abode with new challenges and revelations
• "Navagraha Challenge": A battle against the nine planetary deities who have been corrupted by Andhaka's influence

Characters & Cast 🎭

Protagonist

Arjun – The main protagonist of Trishul Glorious Expedition is a young devotee of Lord Shiva, around 18 years old, who discovers his destiny as the chosen one to wield the divine Trishula. Arjun is portrayed as humble, brave, and deeply spiritual, with a strong sense of duty towards protecting the innocent.

The character of Arjun was inspired by various devotees from Hindu mythology, including Markandeya, Kannappa Nayanar, and Sundarar. His journey in the game mirrors the classic hero's journey archetype, with elements of self-discovery, sacrifice, and spiritual growth.

Arjun is voiced by Rajkummar Rao in the Hindi version and Dulquer Salmaan in the Tamil and Malayalam versions, adding depth and authenticity to the character with their nuanced performances.

Antagonists

Andhaka – The primary antagonist is a powerful Asura born from Lord Shiva's third eye. In Hindu mythology, Andhaka is known as the "blind demon" who becomes obsessed with obtaining the Trishula and defeating Lord Shiva. In the game, Andhaka is portrayed as a complex villain with understandable motivations, making him more than just a one-dimensional evil character.

Andhaka is voiced by Nana Patekar, who brings a menacing yet charismatic presence to the character.

Maya Rakshasa – The secondary antagonist is a sorcerer who helps Andhaka break free from his prison. Maya Rakshasa is a master of illusions and deception, creating challenges for Arjun throughout his journey. As the story progresses, players learn that Maya Rakshasa has his own agenda separate from Andhaka's.

Supporting Characters

Goddess Parvati – Lord Shiva's consort appears in various forms throughout the game to guide and test Arjun. She represents the divine feminine aspect of the universe and provides emotional depth to the story with her maternal concern for both Arjun and the world.

Lord Hanuman – The monkey god serves as a mentor and ally to Arjun, providing comic relief with his straightforward nature and immense power. Hanuman's interactions with Arjun add humor and heart to the game, with references to his role in the Ramayana.

Sage Vasishta – Arjun's guru who raises him in his ashram. The sage represents wisdom and tradition, grounding the story in the philosophical aspects of Hinduism.

Celestial Beings & Mythical Creatures

Trishul Glorious Expedition features a wide variety of mythical creatures from Hindu mythology, including:

• Nagas: Serpent beings who guard hidden treasures and knowledge
• Yakshas & Yakshis: Nature spirits who protect forests and mountains
• Gandharvas: Celestial musicians who provide clues and blessings
• Apsaras: Heavenly nymphs who appear in various quests and challenges
• Rakshasas: Demonic beings who serve as enemies throughout the game

Each of these creatures is portrayed with attention to their mythological origins, with designs inspired by classical Indian art forms like temple sculptures, miniature paintings, and folk art.

Development & Cultural Impact 🔧

Development Process

Trishul Glorious Expedition was in development for over four years by Daman Games, a Mumbai-based studio founded in 2018 by game designer Rohan Daman. The development team consisted of over 150 people, including game designers, programmers, artists, writers, and cultural consultants.

The game's development began with extensive research into Indian mythology and history. The team visited numerous temples, museums, and historical sites across India, including Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Khajuraho, Hampi, and the Elephanta Caves, to study the architecture, iconography, and cultural practices of ancient India.

One of the biggest challenges faced by the development team was creating a game that would appeal to both Indian and international audiences while remaining authentic to Indian culture. To achieve this balance, they focused on universal themes like heroism, sacrifice, and self-discovery, while incorporating specific cultural elements that would be interesting and educational for players from other backgrounds.

Art & Sound Design

The art style of Trishul Glorious Expedition blends traditional Indian art forms with modern 3D graphics. The character designs are inspired by classical Indian sculpture and painting, with attention to details like jewelry, clothing, and facial features that reflect the different regions of ancient India.

The game's soundtrack was composed by A.R. Rahman, who created a score that combines traditional Indian instruments like the veena, tabla, and shehnai with orchestral elements. The soundtrack also features chants from the Vedas and Upanishads, performed by the Sri Venkateswara Temple choir from Tirupati.

The sound design team worked with experts in Sanskrit pronunciation to ensure that the mantras and chants in the game are accurate and authentic. This attention to detail has been praised by scholars and religious leaders, who appreciate the respect shown to the sacred texts.

Cultural Impact

Trishul Glorious Expedition has had a significant cultural impact in India and beyond. The game has been praised for promoting Indian mythology and culture among younger generations, many of whom are more familiar with Western fantasy than their own cultural heritage.

Several schools and educational institutions in India have started using the game as a teaching tool for Hindu mythology and ancient Indian history, recognizing its potential to engage students in a way that traditional textbooks cannot.

The game has also sparked discussions about representation in gaming, with many praising it as a step forward for Indian game development and cultural representation in the global gaming industry. It has inspired other Indian developers to create games based on local mythology and culture, leading to what some have called a "desi gaming revolution."

Future Plans

Daman Games has announced plans to expand the Trishul Glorious Expedition universe with a sequel, animated series, and merchandise line. The studio has also expressed interest in creating games based on other aspects of Indian mythology, including the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and regional folk tales.

In an interview, founder Rohan Daman stated: "Our goal is to create games that make Indian culture accessible and exciting for audiences around the world, while also making Indian gamers proud of their heritage. Trishul Glorious Expedition is just the beginning of this journey."