by: Wulfy Categories:
The studio Bad Landed just announced its first project on MSX with Nightstalker – Shadow of the AncestorsAnd clearly... It immediately attracts attention.
Presented via a gameplay trailer on the Jorito channel, the game does not hide its influences.
We think instantly of Castlevania, especially in the MSX and NES episodes, with even a little touch of more recent releases on Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS. And to be honest, it's not a problem. On the contrary.
We are here on a very action/platform oriented structure, with progression by levels, enemies to eliminate and confrontations against bosses who should require a minimum of control. The whip is of course the part, but it will not be alone: knives, boomerang, axe or molotov cocktail will enrich the arsenal.
The game also seems to integrate an exploration dimension with mechanics close to metroidvania. Some objects will have to be recovered to unlock passages, while relying on an accessible card during the game to avoid turning in circles.
Technically, the title already impresses. The sprites are detailed, colorful, the decorations worked, and especially the animation of the character is particularly fluid. The soundtrack exploits the CSC, which immediately brings this sound signature so characteristic of the most striking MSX productions.
On paper, Nightstalker has everything to become a very nice surprise. Not just because he is inspired by a cult license, but because he seems above all to master his bases.
The game is announced on MSX2 in MegaROM format, with at least 64KB of RAM and 128KB of VRAM. No information yet on a possible physical exit, but we're watching this closely.
Clearly, the MSX scene is experiencing a little revival on Castlevania-inspired games. After The Rise, it's now Nightstalker which is positioned... and the level is starting to rise seriously.
Let me be clear: I love it.
We're facing a real Castlevania-like, and for once it's not just a facade inspiration. Everything is there: the rhythm, the atmosphere, the feeling... It breathes respect for the original material.
Graphically, it's a slap. The sprites are clean, the decorations are detailed, and the ensemble has a real identity. It feels like there's work behind it, not just a quick tribute.
And above all, it makes you want to play it.
Typically the kind of game I want to launch on my MSX2, controller in hand, as at the time. And clearly, if he goes out in physics, I'm a customer without thinking.
Very honestly, it's nice to see projects at this level on the current MSX scene.
We'll follow this very closely.