Self-described because the “world’s first Celestoidvania,” LUCID is an upcoming 2D side-scrolling action-platformer that is set to launch on Steam subsequent yr. Being created by solo developer Eric Manahan beneath the banner The Matte Black Studio and set to be printed by Apogee Leisure, LUCID is combining the fast-paced, exact platforming of Celeste with the frenetic motion and sprawling stage design of Metroid to provide an entirely unique expertise that shall be out there on PC through Steam.
LUCID started life as a Kickstarter project again in September 2023, the place it earned $82,202 from 1,309 backers, reaching nearly triple its $30,000 aim. LUCID launched its first playable demo completely for Kickstarter backers in Could 2024, and it is continued to share common gameplay trailers with the general public since then. LUCID has simply made an look on the Winter OTK Video games Expo, the place it was given an official launch date of Spring 2026.
LUCID Is The “World’s First Celestoidvania”
In LUCID, gamers take management of Oenn, a younger Sentinel who’s tasked with exploring the “crystal-punk” world of Aedyn, which has change into infested with highly effective enemies and managers. Alongside the way in which, Oenn will take up new motion and fight skills that open up new pathways on the earth. Followers can count on to see the next key options in LUCID when it releases subsequent yr:
- Exact platforming mechanics closely impressed by Celeste‘s node-based traversal
- Facet-scrolling motion impressed by Tremendous Metroid
- Receive new fight and traversal Crystal Artwork skills (just like the Crystal Blade, Spear, and Axe) that can open new elements of the map as nicely
- Gather Crystal Shards to improve Crystal Artwork skills
- Intense boss battles
- An enormous, interconnected world with a various vary of biomes
- Authentic music by David Smart, a co-composer of Donkey Kong Nation, Yooka-Laylee, and Star Fox Adventures
Whereas Metroid and Celeste are two of LUCID‘s most obvious influences, a handful of different video games are listed as sources of inspiration on the sport’s Steam web page. Mega Max X impressed LUCID‘s “tight controls and rewarding platforming,” Donkey Kong Nation impressed its “Movement state inducing tunes,” The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time impressed its characters and puzzles, and Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke is cited as inspiration for LUCID‘s interconnected story.
These wanting to attempt LUCID for themselves can obtain and play the free demo now through LUCID‘s Steam page. Whereas LUCID will initially launch on PC as a Steam exclusive, console ports are deliberate for launch someday after the sport’s Spring 2026 launch.
