Publisher Ysbryd Games and developer Nautilus Games have announced 16-bit side-scrolling platformer Everdeep Aurora for Switch and PC (Steam). It will launch in 2024.
“Everdeep Aurora mixes elements from games and movies of our childhood while exploring issues of isolation and bearing the burdens of past decisions,” said Nautilus Games co-founder Mikel Ojea in a press release. “We were inspired by many classic titles with dark touches like Castlevania, Undertale, The Goonies, and Lost, and created an entirely non-violent game. There is no combat or any enemies to fight in Everdeep Aurora—instead, we focused on exploration, both of the physical Everdeep, and of the emotions we wanted to evoke from players, aiming for a memorable and stirring gameplay experience.”
Here is an overview of the game, via its Steam page:
About
An ongoing apocalyptic meteor shower has forced the world’s population to settle underground. As Shell, a feline child who awakens to find her mother missing, you will drill downward into the depths to discover a hidden subterranean world and its inhabitants: tormented creatures with an uncertain past.
This narrative exploration and platform game inspired by 16-bit aesthetics will take you back to the simplicity and excitement of the classics of that era. There’s a vibrant and dynamic world to explore, and lots of peculiar characters to meet and varied puzzles to solve. Will you discover the secrets hidden in the Everdeep?
Key Features
- As you descend, your decisions determine Shell’s route through the depths, from secret caverns to sprawling underground dwellings.
- Encounter characters along the way with unique personalities and, sometimes, optional side quests.
- Atmospheric pixel art and an evocative soundtrack, with palettes and musical themes shifting from one location to the next.
Watch the announcement trailer below. View the first screenshots at the gallery.