ABYSS X ZERO May Scratch That 24-Year Mega Man Legends Itch

Studio Pixel Punk impressed us with their first game in 2021: UNSIGHTED fared quite well in Jerry’s review. The two-person team has revealed their next title, ABYSS X ZERO, and if I wasn’t sitting down already, I’d need to. PSone-esque visuals are very in right now, but there’s such a particular feel to the team’s new game that I didn’t need them to confirm Mega Man Legends as an influence — though they did anyway alongside Metroid Prime and The Wind Waker — to know it. But let’s watch the debut trailer before moving on:

If you too are a fan of the Blue Bomber’s foray into 3D adventures (no, not that one; never that one), you’ll see it too: That chunky art style with big anime faces and blocky pixel textures married to 3D action combat. But I don’t want to overly compare here: ABYSS X ZERO is billed as an action adventure 3D Metroidvania with two playable protagonists, Codename A and Codename Z. If this team’s efforts on UNSIGHTED are any indication, I expect we are in for an experience that satisfies nostalgic feelings for 1990s 3D action games but remains committed to delivering a new experience.

Here’s a bit more about the premise and gameplay from the game’s Steam page:

ABYSS X ZERO is a stylish 3D Metroidvania, with expressive low poly visuals made by the two person indie team Studio Pixel Punk, that also brough you the award-winning indie hit UNSIGHTED.

Explore an expansive world with carefully-crafted dungeons and stylish combat. Take control of two different characters, fated to battle each other: Codename A and Codename Z, both legendary heroes with unique abilities that change how you fight and interact with the environment.

ABYSS X ZERO Screenshots

It took a long time for my heart to heal from the Mega Man Legends 3 debacle, so while I don’t want to overly hype ABYSS X ZERO — for myself or you, reading this — there’s a feeling I get watching this trailer and looking at that these screenshots that I haven’t had in years, and I look forward to learning more! Right now, the title is planned for release on PC, though Studio Pixel Punk hopes to bring ABYSS X ZERO to consoles as well (see this tweet) with enough support. So you know what to do: go wishlist it on Steam, and know that we’ll bring you updates as we have ’em!