Out-of-This-World Fusion: Genopanic Chronicles the Epic Mashup of Metroid, Mega Man, and Hollow Knight

After two years of development, Genopanic, a new pixel platformer, is almost ready for release. However, the initial release date of October 23 has been delayed. Despite this setback, Genopanic aims to pick up where Space Expedition left off over a decade ago and provide an exciting continuation of the game. Players will embark on their next space adventure, navigating through a research station that creates genetically modified monsters.

Even though Space Expedition had relatively short gameplay, fans enthusiastically praised its classic atmospheric pixel art design. In a recent interview with Our website, producer Anton Surkov shared that Genopanic will feature a "new" aesthetic, while still appealing to players who enjoyed the first installment. For some fans, the atmosphere and artwork may evoke a sense of nostalgia, as Surkov revealed that the team took inspiration from numerous classic platformers.

The Classics

In Genopanic, players can expect a thrilling combination of weaponry, mutants, and puzzles. Surkov, the creator, has drawn inspiration from beloved predecessors, incorporating elements such as the eerie atmosphere of Metroid Prime Hunters, the gameplay style reminiscent of Mega Man 2 or Mega Man 11, and the captivating characters found in Hollow Knight.

What sets Genopanic apart is its emphasis on player choice and consequence. With four different endings, the outcome will be determined by the actions and decisions made throughout the game. Additionally, players have the freedom to navigate through levels in a non-linear fashion, enhancing the overall experience.

As always, our primary sources of inspiration remain classic platformers. We have carefully selected certain elements from these games, such as the immersive atmosphere found in the Metroid Fusion series, which we adore. The beautiful locations in these games have also greatly influenced our work. Additionally, we have drawn inspiration from the simplicity of controls and fantastic platforming present in the beloved Mega Man series. Furthermore, we have endeavored to capture the charm and appeal of characters and monsters from our personal favorite, Hollow Knight. And of course, we have not overlooked the impact of Half-life, with its intricate corridors and incredible weaponry, like the iconic Grav-gun!

An Immersive Experience

Music and sounds play a significant role in the game, as stated by Surkov. This aspect was particularly noticeable in Space Expedition, where the focus was on immersing players in the experience of being a solitary astronaut in an unexplored, distant location. The lingering footsteps, echoing blaster noises, and accompanying music all worked together to create an unmistakable sense that the setting was otherworldly. The same approach appears to be employed in the upcoming game, Genopanic.

Players will experience the sounds of crumbling compartments, creaking and rustling, and splashing water. Two significant additions are the protagonist's assistant, LAIK, and the rival VOLGA, both of whom interact with the player. Surkov explained that the game's second installment follows the theme of an "open, large, denied, abandoned planet with confined and pressurized walled rooms containing traps and monsters within the station," which greatly enhances the immersive experience. Sound designer Evgeny Balaev also shared his approach to overcoming initial challenges.

In keeping with the game's pixel art style, I decided to tap into nostalgia and compose music with old-school sounding synthesizers. The chosen mood is melancholic and distant, to reflect how a cosmonaut on a remote planetoid might feel. Alongside the music, a layer of background noise is continuously present in the game, becoming more prominent when the player disables the music in the menu. This layer contains various mysterious and eerie samples... To ensure the characters sound endearing, we personally involve ourselves in the voice acting process, imparting not only our emotions but also our own voices into the game.

Genopanic is anticipated to capture the hearts of experienced platformer gamers and devoted adventure game enthusiasts. However, fans should stay tuned for further updates as the release of Genopanic is projected to be in Q4 2023.