A new Kickstarter campaign has been launched by Texas-based indie developer Varia Games for a 2D shooter/platformer called ReVeN. The title, which draws inspiration from classic games such as Metroid and Mega Man, could be coming to Wii U — as well as PC, Mac and Linux — if its $18,000 target is met.
ReVeN is set in the 28th century on the ‘beautiful and atmospheric’ planet XR-Keres. Players control SyRek, the last surviving autonomous android, who was adopted from a drone espionage program. As SyRek, you’ll need to explore the many worlds of XR-Keres in order to uncover secrets and unravel mysteries, all the while trying to survive against the terrors lurking beneath the planet’s picturesque surface.
Fortunately, SyRek has the ability to adapt to any combat situation using an Energy Divergence Module (EDM) – a gameplay mechanic influenced by RPGs such as Crysis and Deus Ex.
From the developer:
The EDM allows the player to divert energy in real time to any of the four parts of SyRek's body (Weapons, Shielding, Mobility, and Sensors) taking power cores from one system and shifting them into another to overcome obstacles and defeat enemies. Want a more powerful weapon? Take energy from your movement speed and increase your damage!
At the time of writing, the campaign has achieved just under $3,000 of its $18,000 goal with 28 days still to go. Stretch goals have already been implemented and should they be reached ReVeN could also be making its way to the PS4 and PS Vita – however, the stretch goal for the Sony systems is quite high at $200,000.
It’s worth mentioning that the Wii U version will be a basic port (presumably from the PC version) if only the main target is met. In order for ReVeN to fully utilize the Wii U’s features and GamePad, the campaign needs to reach its $100,000 stretch goal, where Varia Games will then take on an extra programmer to help develop a version specifically for the Wii U.
Check out the Kickstarter video below and let us know what your thoughts on ReVeN in the comments section.
[source kickstarter.com]
Comments 61
Man, that's totally like Metroid Fusion!
Isn't this a bit too much like metroid?
Its another 2D title , well 2D is fun, but don't you think we have enough already
Eww
It does look like metroid gameplay wise, but the graphics lack atmosphere and originality.
There's paying homage, and then there's total shameless plagiarism. There are enough of these Metroid inspired games on kickstarter that at least bring their own original ideas to the table.
Lol thats basicly an updated Metroid, no bad thing if we're not getting one from Nintendo anytime soon. I don't kickstart but if its turns out good i may pick it up.
I really enjoyed the video, looks pretty great I thought. Though it also made me desperately wish that Nintendo would announce a new 2d metroid for 3ds: perhaps they could announce it in a Nintendo Direct at the end of this month and it could be released this year. I love these independent developers but I would also love for Nintendo to remind all these young pretenders who the daddy is when it comes to 2d game design; preferably with something that doesn't have the word "New" in the title.
Lol I guess "inspired by" means "blatantly borrowed the art and animations of."
But I can dig it. Looks groovy.
Jeez, no kidding on the whole Metroid inspiration. Heck, they're even called Varia Games! I guess it's just a mistranslation of Barrier Games, eh?
I dunno, taking the Metroid concept and running with it can be a good thing considering we haven't had a 2D Metroid game since Zero Mission. But this one is too unoriginal as of yet, and the large focus on imbalanced shootouts with lame enemies seems like an atmosphere killer for me.
But there's still hope - if they change the combat mechanics to compliment your firepower, this could become a really interesting game!
@WaveBoy Only way to get funded by this method from what I can see. (Show one level that is like it to get funded - then make it not really all that much like that anyway). Whilst these type of clones manage to get funded so easily it will keep happening.
This is the kind of shooter I actually enjoy.
@WaveBoy RPG elements are right there in the video, You dont get prescribed power ups you just get cores and choose their use and there is a need to collect resources.
Also there is a mission creator, co-op, and online. Just because on the surface it doesnt look aw inspired doesn't mean it doesnt bring some new stuff to the genera of which has been quite dead lately.
I wonder if they would add a 3DS version because thats where I would want to play this.
@MAB such a narrow minded point of view....so sad;)
Awesome! Can't wait for Wii U to become a place where awesome indie games flourish.
This is SO getting shut down by Ninty! There are so many DIRECT copies!
I'm surprised no one commented on the company name???
@Waveboy Hate to say it but you're right. I want a 2d Metroid so bad I don't care how I get it. The big N doesn't seem to care anymore unless its a million seller.
Not interested. It looks like they copied Metroid but took out my favorite part, exploration. Too many enemies. I think I will pass.
Well, just like others have already mentioned, this is certainly Metroid inspired that's for sure.
Yeesh, people are being way too hard on the alpha footage for this game. It looks great to me and if you actually read the info on the Kickstarter page, it has quite a few different things that set it apart from Metroid.
So far the EDM, mineral/crafting mechanic, weapons that change up gameplay (the Terra Beam is not only a grapple but it can move blocks), 2-player co-op, online multiplayer, and mission creator CLEARLY sets this apart from Metroid while still adhering to the things that make the Metroid series fun to play.
I'll definitely back this project at $10.
Metroid "inspired", heh.
The main character needs a different look. Too much like metroid. other than that it does look like a fun 2D side scroller
Well, it's certainly not hard to see the Metroid, uh, "inspiration".
However... it has been over a decade now since Samus got a nice side-scroller, and this does look pretty cool and atmospheric, and the developers seem to have added a few cool features of their own... Yeah, I think I can get behind this.
Definitely not Metroid.
But seriously, gunna support this!
Its so close to being Metroid, that I can't see myself doing it. Too attached to Samus's character to play anything but her. And, no matter what, this game won't have Nintendo's polish. So I lack an overall faith in this. Reviews 1st ( if Nintendo doesn't shut it down ) before I jump on board. Highly dubious.
Guys, Nintendo hasn't made a Metroid game in quite a while, if someone else is willing to overhaul a whole bunch of themes and use them for their game, I'm fine with it, and I'd play it.
@Kawaii_Neko What is Balloon Fight if it is not a rip off of Joust ? (Of the rip off Lego Nintendo made). If they have done something themselves they shouldn't have a problem with it. (I know it doesn't work like that sadly).
Too many Metroid-Vanvia games to buy and play, too few to add to my physical game collection... This one instantly went from under the radar to top of my list though! Really happened, just now.
If it turns out as good as it seems right now, it's only a 'shameless' Metroid clone, because it can wear that unofficial Metroid label with pride.
Just release the GBA Metroids on the eshop Nintendo and we will buy them. Why don't you want my money? You can't sell your console so how about trying to get us to spend more money on the ones we have! This is so ridiculous.
but can SyRek crawl? lol j/k!!
In all honesty, if the game has really good mechanics and it's fun, who cares if it's a "rip off" "homage" to Metroid!! They are definitely doing plenty of different things so everyone chillax.. it's not like the Wii U has a FLOOD of games and we probably won't see another Metroid on the levels of the Prime series EVER AGAIN!! Now I wish for at least a 3DS iteration of the series.. but people, EVERY developer copies/borrows etc.. from others.. it's just the nature of gameplay mechanics!!
I cant seem to understand how other Kickstarter campaigns can ask for some hundred thousand dollars to get their games on the Wii U as stretch goal when there is people getting it on it for $18,000. Kickstarter is just ridiculous sometimes.
Looks good to me, but I'd prefer a 3DS version.
I'm backing it! Here's to hoping (and asking the rest of you!) that the project reaches the $100K stretch goal so that we can play it on the Wii U.
@Vriess You can play it on the Wii U anyway (Basic Port). The 100k is for extra work on the Wii U version to make it support it better.
@Warruz RPG elements generally mean to me that the game is designed so you can go start to finish without ever having to get better at playing. Character gets better not the person playing the character.
@PvtOttobot The fact he is offering a basic Wii U port at the lowest tier implies to me he already has the dev kit or Nintendo are ok with it and willing to let him have one. (The let somebody trying to sell them a Zelda clone to release as a new Zelda do it).
@Bliquid "...since Metroid looks dead and buried to Nintendo."
The last flagship Metroid title was in 2010 and we've since seen Samus in other games (Nintendo Land and Smash) and VC ports on Wii U and 3DS. Considering the 8 year lull between Super Metroid and Metroid Prime, I don't think it's worth worrying about yet. I think we were all just spoiled by the fact that there were 6 main series entries of Metroid from 2002-2010.
3:02 "and uncover the secrets below" **goes up**
Looks to be an awesome action pack side-scroller of a game. Looking forward to it.
@unrandomsam "RPG elements generally mean to me that the game is designed so you can go start to finish without ever having to get better at playing. Character gets better not the person playing the character."
Maybe if Nintendo would make another ******* 2D Metroid then we'd see fewer copycats.
Did notice a typo ... "Power Core Collected" should be "Power Core Acquired"
In all seriousness, as many others have stated, we haven't seen light or news of anything Metroid from nintendo. These are obvious huge fans of the series and just want to pay homage to a classic and perhaps add their own twist. I'm backing, and looking forward to this.
I guessing everyone forgot about Ghost Song?
I'd get ReVeN. If Nintendo can't satisfy my desire for a new Metroid, I'd gladly take a developer trying to replicate that experience in their title. They've gone a decade now not even bothering to make a Metroid game that revisits the series' roots.
I backed the game because if it was coming to eshop next week I would buy it.
$15 pledged!
Well, I guess since Nintendo refuses to make a new 2D metroid, this is the next best thing.
The truth always gets erased
Looks pretty cool! The main character does look a lot like a Metroid Space pirate, though!!
I'm disappointed the 3DS isn't included.
think Im more excited for the visuals of ghost song
metroid ripoff.
Bloody hell, when they said metroid-inspired they really meant cheap metroid clone, the intro is the EXACT one as metroid fusion, when samus arrives at the space station just to find that the x parasite killed and assimilated all the staff there. Jesus freaking christ, at least try something new or different, even the freaking lead character is a deformed samus aran model.
Learn from Yuji Naka, one of sonic's creators, who wanted to create the sonic game because he didn't think super mario bros. was fast enough. A simple idea of wanting more speed in a videogame resulted in the creation of a legendary franchise.
This isn't inspiration, this is just plain PLAGIARISM.
@Haxonberik If you read the message from the developers you'll understand why their kickstarter goal is so low, it's the bare minimum they figure they need in order to finish the game, but they state they'll need to get other part time jobs to be able to do it. I'm guessing because they're more or less unknown at this point they didn't expect to be able to get the same kind of support as a more well known indie developer. Other projects tend to ask for a lot more and I don't think it's unreasonable for them to do so.
And people, stop bashing them for wanting to make a 2D Metroid tribute. If you read the game info, they are adding some ideas of their own. I may back this. Deciding to do a project like this is big risk for them financially. As an indie musician I sympathize with that.
There's been quite a few Metroid lookalikes on Kickstarter, but this one is absolutely unashamed to copy the entire recipe.
I won't back it, but I wish them luck. I know I wouldn't dare making something that will be directly compared to Super Metroid.
looks really good This and Ghoste Song are 2 Game's il be watching lol also i like that music in the trailer
i would buy it if released, so if they do succeed ill be happy
I don't think the graphic style is interesting at all.
No 3ds= ignore.
@Bliquid
greetings, im one of the shallow retro gamers.
i only play old games because i know they are better.
i dont replay the same games over and over, i have way too many games to let that happen
There's a line between being inpired by a game and ripping off of it. On one side, you have Cave Story, an indie title that's inspired by Metroid, yet gushes with originality not just in its story, but its physics and charm as well. On the other side, you have ReVeN, another indie game that is not just inspired by Metroid, but is a carbon copy of it. The only original thing I see is the EDM. Other than that it doesn't look much different than Super Metroid--strike that--it looks much more bland, especially in its enemy design. Zombies and dinosaurs? Pass.
I'll NeVeR back this.
Looks baddonkey. I'll back it
@allav866 I hear ya, even castlevania when it adopted the metroidvania style didn't attempt to embarrass itself by completely doing a copy/paste of everything that was done in previous metroid games, konami figured out a way to make it work without ripping off the other franchise.
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