Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.
Aiming for PC and console release, Necrofugitive has great retro style graphics and is inches from its Kickstarter target!
Launched a couple of weeks ago on Kickstarter, Necrofugitive looks like the sort of game you really want to play, regardless of what playform it is on. Developed by four-piece team Black Garden Studios, this is a 2D stealth action platformer with medieval dressing and features hand-drawn pixel graphics.
Oh, and the main character is a shapeshifting cultist, aiming to cause the downfall of the realms of men.
So, pretty standard narrative stuff. Beats carrying a baby in a tank while you pretend to be a DPD man.
Here’s the official synopsis:
Necrofugitive is a 2D stealth action platformer set in a Medieval world rife with unrest, civil war, and superstition. You play as a shapeshifting cultist of Skoroz, the eldritch god of chaos, fleeing a fanatical kingdom after your cult is brutally massacred in a witch-hunting frenzy. Hunted by the kingdom’s armies, you are the wrathful deity’s last hope for claiming revenge and bringing about the downfall of the realms of men. With an entire kingdom mobilized to bring your rampage to an end and a hefty bounty upon your head, you must explore, hide, and fight through a medieval world on the brink of collapse as famine, pestilence, and warfare rage across the realm of Avencia.
Along with rampaging monsters, Necrofugitive features a dramatic soundtrack composed by Edwin Montgomery of Warhammer 40k and Game of Thrones fame. There’s also a playable demo available on Steam (link below).
After reach 60% of its initial funding goals within its first week on the platform, the game is now on the verge of completion. Typically for a Kickstarter campaign, the developers are offering exclusive early bird perks which include exclusive collectibles, character palettes, and even a hand-painted tabletop miniature. Some backers will also become part of the Necrofugitive game world, adorning walls with portraits of themselves!
Key features of Necrofugitive:
- Medieval Shapeshifting Action – Use your eldritch powers to assimilate your prey and then transform to gain their abilities. Use your new disguises to slip past enemies and sneak your way through the kingdom.
- Exciting Character Selection Modes – Other games let you pet the dog. In this game, you can be the dog. Or the soldier. Or anyone else you can get your tendrils on.
- Unique opponents with differing personalities – Necrofugitive features soldiers with reactive AI that will alter their decisions during combat, and work together to bring your rampage to an end.
- You Are the Monster – No more Mr Nice Guy! Harness the power of chaos to morph into a giant monster. Wreak havoc on your victims as you rampage through the kingdom. Terrorize your enemies and see them flee from before you.
- Playable Demo Available – Want a taste of Chaos? Try out the fully playable demo today on Steam or itch.io. This vertical slice gives players a concentrated look at what Necrofugitive has to offer.
- Hand-drawn animations and dynamic lighting effects – Vibrant characters and settings bring the world of Avencia to life.
S. Morris, Producer & Project Manager tells us: “Necrofugitive is a game about player expression. From play style to impact on the world itself, each player will blaze their own unique trail on the path toward freedom. In an irony-poisoned world of cinematic experiences, we hope Necrofugitive can provide an earnest, old-school approach to videogames— both in storytelling and gameplay.To paraphrase an industry veteran… you see those enemies over there? You can become ‘em ”
“One of the things that makes a multiplayer game so compelling is how varied and unpredictable your opponents can be. That is something I’m trying to capture with our AI systems to keep every playthrough fresh and interesting. Every enemy spawned has their own personality traits and tries their best to survive based on what’s going on around them by using the tools that they are given. You can never predict exactly how an encounter will go. Some will flee immediately for help and some will bravely stand their ground until their last breath. Even their reaction times and how quickly they recognize patterns is baked into their personality.
“Also alike with real human opponents, each of our AI makes a concerted effort to win, much to the chagrin of some players. Avencian archers are rather notorious with new players as they do a good job at maintaining distance while keeping pressure on their target.” mentioned Christian Schoenig III, Lead Programmer and Black Garden Co-Founder.
The Necrofugitive backstory
What is Necrofugitive all about? Well, normally I suggest you watch the trailer, just to get a sample of the game. This time, I’m telling you to watch the trailer, as I don’t think you’ve seen a Kickstarter video game trailer quite like this one.
Honestly, I think this game looks superb, and I’m hoping it does really well for developers Black Garden. With the crowdfunding target in sight, it should!
Learn more on the Necrofugitive Kickstarter page, and try the Necrofugitive demo on Steam or itch.io.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through those links. This comes at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.
