Technologies Bauldy, a one-man studio, has launched a Kickstarter campaign for their upcoming game, Oyster Wars.
The game is a labor of love for the solo developer, who poured his heart into creating a unique experience that marries the precision platformer with the charm of a retro adventure, drawing inspiration from Celeste and The Legend of Zelda.
As someone who’s spent 100s of hours playing Celeste Community maps, this is something I’m really looking forward to.
The developer’s personal story, inspired by his time working as an oyster farmer in British Columbia, Canada, is woven into the game’s narrative, reflecting on modern stories of economic struggle.
A Tale of Revenge and Environmental Justice
Oyster Wars follows the story of Wade, an oyster farmer who seeks revenge against Sven, the ruthless CEO of the Man’s End Oyster Company.
Sven’s company has exploited Wade’s home island, leaving it polluted and depleted of resources.
As Sven plans to relocate his operations, the community faces the threat of unemployment and environmental devastation. Wade takes matters into his own hands, embarking on a quest to stop Sven and save his island from ruin.
Innovative Gameplay: Precision Platforming Meets Retro Adventure
Oyster Wars introduces a unique gameplay mechanic that sets it apart from its inspirations. The game replaces Celeste’s dash mechanic with an intuitive hookshot, which players can use to grapple onto walls, grab objects, and fend off enemies.
This innovative feature adds a new layer of depth to the precision platforming experience, challenging players to master the hookshot’s versatility.
The game seamlessly blends intense platforming with rich systemic design, ensuring that every item and enemy is interconnected. Players will explore non-linear puzzle-box dungeons, each offering a unique challenge.
These dungeons are connected by a compact open world, where players will consult maps, search for keys, and manipulate environmental elements such as water levels and conveyor belts to progress.
Atmospheric Soundtrack and Immersive World
Oyster Wars boasts an original, atmospheric soundtrack that adapts to the player’s actions, creating an immersive audio experience.
The game’s compact overworld evolves as the player progresses, providing a sense of impact and progression. The best fishing minigames of all time also await players, offering a nice little break from the intense platforming action.
Kickstarter Campaign, Platforms and Release Date
Oyster Wars is set to release in Fall 2024 on Steam, Nintendo Switch, and Itch.io.
The Kickstarter campaign for the game will launch on May 2nd, 2024, at 9 am EST. Backers will have the opportunity to support the solo developer’s vision and help bring this unique game to life.
A Personal Project Reflecting Modern Struggles
It’s a personal project that reflects on modern stories of economic struggle, inspired by my time working as an oyster farmer in British Columbia, Canada.
Joe Nicholson, Developer of Oyster Wars
By infusing his own experiences into the game’s narrative and combining the best elements of precision platforming and retro adventure, the developer aims to create a captivating and thought-provoking experience that resonates with players.
With its innovative gameplay mechanics, engaging story, and the passion of a solo developer, Oyster Wars promises to be a game worth supporting. Check out the Oyster Wars X, and join the Kickstarter campaign starting May 2nd, 2024, and embark on Wade’s quest for revenge and environmental justice in Fall 2024.
