Features Previews

Preview: The Cursed Legacy

The Genesis has been on a roll lately, with a ton of new releases announced and released. One of the newest and most polished of these games was 2022’s The Cursed Knight by Broke Studio. Blending run-‘n-gun action with platforming, the game tore through its Kickstarter campaign and was delivered into the eager hands of Genesis owners around the world. Now, Broke Studios looks to build upon that first success with The Cursed Legacy, an action-oriented exploration game rooted in the “die and retry” style of the 16-bit era and created with dedication to honor the wonderful experiences of the 1990s.

One of The Cursed Legacy’s standout elements is its structured content, which comprises six distinct action stages and 13 formidable bosses. The gameplay is divided into two primary types: dynamic action platforming sections and exploration segments reminiscent of the Metroid series. Additionally, there’s a save function included, and players can select from five mini-games to add variety and challenge to what’s shaping up to be a meaty gaming experience.

Set in the year 3145, The Cursed Legacy portrays a bleak future where humanity is nearly extinct. The once-vibrant principality of Dallongeville now lies in ruins, marred by oppressive events. Amid this despair, players embody Leif, a young mercenary who resorts to morally questionable tactics for survival. His relentless pursuit of power drives him to attempt the theft of the RB309, which is located within a mystic oasis of the Cube god.

This latest chapter in the Cursed series offers several modes to cater to all kinds of different player preferences, and there’s something here for everyone. The full game seamlessly integrates action and exploration, but for those who wish to focus solely on one aspect, the developers have gone one step further to offer tailored experiences:

  • Run-‘n-Gun Mode: Perfect for players craving fast-paced action, this mode concentrates specifically on combat mechanics such as rolling, covering, sliding, and managing gravity.
  • Exploration Mode: For fans of exploration and discovery, this mode allows players to take control of the RB309, navigating an expansive map filled with opportunities to collect upgrades, defeat bosses, and uncover hidden secrets.
  • Mini-Games: As mentioned earlier, scattered throughout the game are arcade-style machines that present various mini-challenges based on beloved classics. These games, including iterations of Snake, Minesweeper, Maze Crawler, and 2048, provide engaging diversions that aid progression and add more variety to the experience.

If you’ve played The Cursed Knight, then you know what to expect in terms of quality. The development team behind The Cursed Legacy consists of GGS Studio Creation and Broke Studio. GGS Studio Creation is associated with the French YouTube channel Gangeek Style, which initially focused on promoting figurine painting by Fawzi Zaidi. Over time, it has evolved to produce new video games tailored for classic consoles. Broke Studio, founded in 2017 by Antoine Gohin, specializes in developing games for retro systems like the NES, having released Twin Dragons in 2017. The studio also offers support services for other developers seeking to publish their titles in physical formats across various classic platforms, including the Genesis and Game Boy. They’re responsible for the manufacturing and publishing aspects of The Cursed Legacy.

While the game’s development is reportedly 100% completed, the Kickstarter campaign is still live, and it’s blown well past its $44,648 goal. You can get the digital version for a mere $12 (€10) or spring for the physical cartridge with manual and clamshell case for around $56 (€50). There’s also a collector’s edition and even a custom modded console that includes both Cursed games if you’ve got $782 (€700) to spend. Several stretch goals have already been unlocked, including a reversible cover for the physical version and a sticker sheet.

We’re really looking forward to The Cursed Legacy, and it’s shaping up to be a terrific blend of nostalgia with modern gaming dynamics. We’ll have a full review upon release, but for now, download the demo and give it a try.

Enough reading! Go and fetch your wallet. Your Genesis is hungry again, and it’s feeding time!

Leave a Comment