When I was 14, I created my own RPG, and it was lost in time for ages until I went through my old laptop. And I saw some things in there. But, among those things, I found my own RPG. I haven't played through it since I made it, uh, which will be interesting. But, it was always my dream to get the people on the internet to see it. I don't think you guys will be able to play it, but, you're gonna be able to watch us play it. It's called the Mark of Oxin.
— Phil, at the beginning of the first video.
The Mark of Oxin was a PC game made by Phil Lester through RPG Maker in 2001, when he was 14 years old. He never released the game for a public download, but he did eventually showcase
it on his channel, DanAndPhilGAMES, which is how we know about its existence.
The story starts with Alex being called to see the King, who decides to test Alex by sending him to the training area to prove his worth as a true soldier. Along the way, he meets a girl named Emily, who accompanies him for the training area. Afterwards, the two get sent to Crystal, and weird things happen after that.
It's very clear this was made by a teenager as well, so all quoted typos are true to the game.
Confusingly, while the real game cannot be downloaded, it has inspired a fan sequel named The Mark of Oxin 2: Emily's Journey, which is available here.
Tropes Emerges:
- Author Appeal: Mazes. According to Phil, one of his favorite things as a teenager were mazes."So this is going to be a hodge-podge of stuff that you like, combined into this thing to make a game."
- Big Bad: Ryan. Later on, Satan hijacks this role.
- Can't You Read the Sign?: There's a sign in front of the town of Nimbis, saying it is closed. Behind it, there is a guard who berates you for not reading the sign. Then he feels bad and heals you.
- Cash Gate: One in Heaven, oddly enough. In order to find out how to find the orb required to progress the plot, you will need to pay the All-Knowing One 500g for the hint.
- Casting a Shadow: Alex can learn the skill Dark Strike. It hits all enemies and has a chance to blind them.
- Climax Boss: The Orb Guardian is the last boss you fight in the game. However, there's still a ways to go.
- Demonic Possession: Demons have been possessing statues in the town of Crystal, causing madness in the townspeople.
- Downer Ending: Alex is revealed to be Satan's son and pulls a Face–Heel Turn.
- Fluffy Cloud Heaven: Where Alex goes after he dies. Odd example in that there are training areas with real monsters as well as something resembling a night club.
- Interspecies Romance: In Heaven, Alex can go to something resembling a night club where he can interact with an angel who asks "Do you want to join me and my boyfriend tonight?" Say yes, and...Angel: "Thank's you were great"
- Katanas Are Just Better: One of the weapons Alex can equip is a katana. It's a good weapon at that point of the game.
- Heroes Prefer Swords: Alex can equip swords. Downplayed in that he also equips other weapons, like spears or axes.
- Last Episode, New Character: Jake joins the party extremely late in the game.
- Lethal Lava Land: Oddly enough, the training area is this, with pools of lava that harm you on contact. One of the areas where you have to exorcise statues in Crystal also has this theme.
- Making a Splash: In addition to serving as well, a key, the key to crystal casts a water spell when used in battle. Jake also starts with the spell water beam.
- Noob Cave: The Training Area you get sent to at the start of the game.
- Overly Long Gag: One of the later mazes is extremely long. When you get to the end...
- Playing with Fire: Alex has four different fire attacks. They are fire, flame, flame line, and flame field.
- The Hero Dies: Happens to Alex midway through the game. However, thanks to the Mark of Oxin, he gets better.
- Rouge Angles of Satin: Examples pop up frequently. Justified since the game was made by a fourteen-year-old over the course of one summer.
- Running Gag: People frequently ask Alex about the strange mark on his neck. Instead of discussing it, Alex just changes the subject every time.
- Sequel Hook: Alex has been turned into Satan, and joins Satan in taking over the world. Then the game ends with "To be continued in Mark of Oxin 2!" The sequel was never made.
- Shock and Awe: Emily can learn the Sparkle spell, which deals lightning damage to all enemies.
- The Maze: Plenty of mazes show up over the course of the game due to Author Appeal.
- The Medic: Both Alex and Emily can learn healing spells.
- Trauma Inn: There's one in every town. Even in Heaven! In addition, once Emily gets her class change, she automatically brings Alex to the one in town.
- Teleporters and Transporters: Appear in the training area. Touching them sends you to an earlier part of the area."Watch out for the teleporters, they can take you anywhere!"
- The Unfought: You never fight Ryan once in the game.
- Tom the Dark Lord: The Big Bad's name is Ryan.
- Useless Item: When the party defeats Heskie, Riley, and Dish, one of the weapons dropped is an Iron Knuckle. None of your party members can equip it.
- Voluntary Shapeshifting: God can do this, and in fact takes the form of a cow in his first meeting with Alex. Ryan is said to be able to do so, too, but he has not actually shown to have done this.
- White Magician Girl: Emily gives this vibe, due to her clothing and spells leaning towards the defensive side.
- Wolfpack Boss: Heskie, Riley, and Dish fight you in a three on two battle.
You won a combat!
