Music, code, and combat collide in the fab looking metroidvania SHADE Protocol

A sentient metal has turned against the world in SHADE Protocol, a fantastic looking upcoming metroidvania that has me rather excited.

Mixing together some great pixel artwork with fast-paced action, precise combat and a story about humanity, grief, music, and machines. You take on the role of Zura, a young heroine inheriting a broken legacy as she fights to protect what remains of humanity in a world transformed by the SHADE virus.

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Game Highlights:

• Dynamic Combat System – Mix precision melee combat with specialized Instruments, executing devastating combos, parries, and counters. Swap between DAWN and SHADE modes to adapt to different playstyles in real-time.
• UNISON System – Rewrite Reality – The world of SHADE Protocol exists as code. Wield it to manipulate events, relive key moments, and choose their ultimate outcome, shaping the fate of entire factions.
• Unique Defensive Mechanics – Perfectly timed parries and counters restore Echo, a vital energy source for powerful Instrument attacks and defensive maneuvers.
• Instruments – Weapons That Sing – Wield an arsenal of musical weapons, including the Twilight Spear, Sunrise Great Axe, and Midnight Chakram, each with distinct combat and exploration abilities.

They're seeking funding on Kickstarter, and clearly a lot of people are excited about this one as it was funded in 25 minutes. Against the $40,000 initial goal they currently have $238,621 from 3,538 backers. Pretty impressive overall.

From the press release: "Indie at heart we always knew that we wanted to do a kickstarter. We feel strongly at Little Legendary that crowdfunding is one of the most community first forms of funding a game. Kickstarter allows us to get the resources needed to build such a large and expansive game while still making sure we have our fans' desires, opinions and critiques at the forefront of our development pipeline." - Kendall Kinones, CEO and Game Director at Little Legendary Studios.

Going by the Steam page they have Linux system requirements - so it might be a Native game, if not there's Proton. And, on the Kickstarter campaign they said this about specific Steam Deck support:

"Steam Deck Compatibility: We will work towards full compatibility with the Steam Deck!

Also something we have always wanted and not a core change in our plans, but it's valuable to bring it up. While compatibility will be something we will work on much later on given we still have ways to go, it is part of our main objectives to ensure SHADE Protocol plays and performs well on all portable platforms we port it to, and this includes the Steam Deck!"