Yes, this is a complete rewrite of the game in C++.
Yes. I am the original author. I wrote this in pure assembly some 30 years ago.

There is also a web version for anyone who may want to try the game without building the ESP-32 firmware.
Which you can play online (it will work on laptops, desktops ...

Original MS DOS version
https://github.com/cfrankb/esp-idf-cs3/raw/master/images/Screenshot_2022-10-19_21-01-20.png

ESP32 version
https://github.com/cfrankb/esp-idf-cs3/raw/master/images/20231224_082059.jpg

The ESP32 features
*improved graphics,
*new monsters,
*new collectibles,
*new levels ...