The metroidvania formula is one of the easiest for new games to iterate on and make their own through a few unique elements. New moves, locations, and challenges can give fans of the genre a familiar experience while also offering something special. To start off the new year for metroidvania fans, Before I Go developed by J’s Labratory has received a release date through a new trailer and a new update to the demo.
Most information about the new game can be found on J’s Labratory’s official website. It describes the game as an adventure through a fantasy world with a haunting presence. Despair has gripped the hearts of souls following a strange affliction in the dream-like world. The player will be tasked with playing as a small child unaffecting by the ailment to investigate this darkness by facing their greatest fear. The plot promises to bring players a classic contemplative story that metroidvanias can so easily produce.
The website also boasts about the mechanics that the game has to offer. Many of these combat and movement abilities are on full display in the release date trailer. The main character can attack at range, firing bursts of energy of varying sizes or speeds. Toward the end of the trailer, players also got a look into a powerful melee attack and burst of energy that stuns all nearby enemies. The movement looks to be in-depth, allowing for difficult platforming segments where players scale walls with timed spikes and dash between floating hazards or laser beams. The latest demo trailer takes it a step further by showing off a skill tree that branches between tiers.
Before I Go is shaping up to be an exciting release for many fans of action-platformers and metroidvanias. At the end of the trailer, the release date of April 13th is revealed. Until then, players have access to a demo to see how it is shaping up.