Attu Games, a two-man initiative from the Czech Republic, have announced their newest project. Titled Feudal Alloy, it’s “a metroidvania-style action RPG, with fishbowl-powered robots in medieval times,” according to its spirited description. Though the team has only produced one other game in the past—the Limbo-like puzzler Toby: The Secret Mine in 2015—a unique art style and whimsical attitude have helped garner some attention for this newest venture.
It’s easy to see from the plot summary that Feudal Alloy won’t be afraid to tackle some of the most essential, and potentially clichéd, aspects of action-RPGs. Protagonist Attu is “an ordinary farmer robot who lives in a small cottage in the sunflower fields. He has been living a simple but pleasant life until a bunch of outlaws attacked the village, stole their oil supplies and burnt his house. Fortunately he managed to grab his old sword and fled into the woods.” From Final Fantasy to Fable, this time-honored trope is the core of many a fantasy story and a useful tool for those looking to subvert typical RPG expectations.
Among Feudal Alloy‘s features are a “dynamic action-combat system with swords, grenades, dodges, and other special attack moves,” “animated branching dialogues,” and a “huge, interconnected world to explore, filled with wide range of enemies, bosses and side quests.” Hidden collectibles and secret areas abound—in true Metroidvania fashion—while a focus on “loot, a lot of loot!” retains the action-RPG influences.
In a world that has seen Guacamelee!, Ori and the Blind Forest, and Hollow Knight all within the past few years, it’s become harder than ever to stand out in the Metroidvania genre. However, Feudal Alloy looks like it has the personality and charm to hold its own and develop a unique identity. Development is still in progress, so keep an eye out for more news as we approach a Q3 2018 release date on all major consoles and operating systems.