French dev OrionSoft just announced Escape 2049, a new platformer hybrid for Sega Genesis with a Game Boy Advance and Steam release in the works. It’s being funded through Kickstarter, with a free demo already available.
Story-wise, it’s a direct follow-up to the developer’s previous game, Escape 2042. You’re playing as Elena, the wife of hacker Shun, who previously exposed a corrupt government and got thrown into the Bulor 24 Prison for his trouble. Years later, Elena picks up the fight, gets burned by AI surveillance, and winds up in a high-security lockup of her own.
On the gameplay side, Escape 2049 promises four worlds with twelve levels and twelve bosses, set across prisons, deserts, forests, and even an asteroid. It’s got run ’n gun-style shooting with multi-directional fire, grenades for breaking obstacles, camera disabling, computer hacking, and keycard hunting.
I’m hard-pressed to think of an apt comparison to another game, but it has elements of Contra, the Oddworld series, and classic adventure titles like Another World, with a surprisingly modern art style considering the platforms it’s releasing on.
Physical collectors will be pleased to know that both Mega Drive and GBA are getting cartridge releases with cases and manuals, with a ROM-only option available to those of us with limited shelf space. As mentioned, there is also a Steam version planned and even a deluxe reissue of Escape 2042 if you want the full OrionSoft dystopian puzzle-platformer set.
The Kickstarter is live now and climbing toward its funding goal, so if it sounds appealing, check out the demo and catch up on Escape 2042 as well.
Source: itch.io via Games Reactor
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