We’re into the ultimate week of September and the video video games have been coming so thick and quick that it is arduous to maintain up. One such sport — indie Soulslike Fountains — launched simply final week on seventeenth September, though maybe lacking out on day one wasn’t such a nasty factor on this case: a free Nintendo Change 2 Version improve pack has appeared on the eShop which provides 120fps help. Larvely.
With a top-down view and a pixel-art aesthetic harking back to Hyper Mild Drifter, Fountains is the work of Canada-based solo dev John Pywell, who began improvement again in 2020 earlier than a profitable Kickstarter marketing campaign in 2022.
The sport launched in December 2024 on Steam and Darkish Souls is evidently an enormous inspiration – the big overworld, unforgiving fight, and the flexibility to depart on-line messages all come straight out of FromSoft’s playbook.
With a touch of Metroidvania and a few Hole Knight thrown in for good measure (“The primary battle mechanic of hitting enemies to regain your magic useful resource was shamelessly stolen from Hole Knight,” Pywell advised Xbox Wire lately), it is definitely hitting all of the touchstones in the event you’re after partaking, explorative, unforgiving motion. Hmm, do you hit touchstones? You do on Friday afternoon after an extended week, buddies.
This is a little bit excerpt from the official blurb to offer some extra flavour, plus some screens:
FOUNTAINS is a soulslike action-RPG constructed round preventing your method by means of a maze-like interconnected, seamless world. You may take the function of a hooded stranger, lately imprisoned by a tyrannical regime. Will you escape and uncover the mysteries of this war-torn empire?
Demanding, however honest fight
Tight, responsive fight places each software and tactic in your arsenal to the check, rewarding precision and fast considering. Your enemies will hit arduous and punish hesitation, turning every battle into an intense back-and-forth the place the tide of battle can shift instantly. Adjustable issue settings allow you to really feel that thrill at precisely the depth you crave, regardless of your expertise.Exploration that rewards curiosity
The world of FOUNTAINS is one, seamless, large dungeon. It’s a tightly packed labyrinth which twists and loops again on itself. You may at all times uncover one thing new: objects, powers and upgrades to unlock new elements of the world.Go away Your Mark
FOUNTAINS options a web based message system. Go away hints all through the world to assist out your fellow gamers, or trick them into doing one thing silly!
In addition to 120fps, the Change 2 model consists of an unique “Gauntlet Mode” which is unquestionably not only a posh identify for ‘Boss Rush’.
It’s going to set you again $14.99 / £13.49 on the eShop, though there is a cheeky little 10% low cost for a few weeks. The sport is at the moment rocking a ‘Very Constructive’ score on Steam (from 432 opinions), and we would love to listen to your ideas under in the event you’ve performed it, or in the event you’re selecting up what it is placing down.
