Earthblade
{{Short description|Canceled video game}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Earthblade
| image = Earthblade, Steam store, Dec 2022.jpg
| alt = A jungle-themed background, with the game's logo in front of it
| developer = Extremely OK Games
| publisher = Extremely OK Games
| platforms = Windows
| released = Canceled
| modes = Single-player
}}
Earthblade was a Metroidvania platform video game in development by Extremely OK Games. It was intended to be an exploration-action and platformer video game, featuring an art style similar to the studio's previous game, Celeste. Its development began in 2019 and was first publicly announced in 2021. The game's footage was showcased at The Game Awards 2022, which was positively received by reviewers.
The game was initially set to be released in 2023, though the game was re-scheduled for 2024 instead at The Game Awards 2022. In January 2025, the studio announced that the game had been canceled, citing the dispute over intellectual property rights of Celeste and struggles with development as some of the reasons.
Gameplay
Earthblade was developed as a two-dimensional exploration-action platformer featuring pixel art-styled graphics.{{Cite web |last=Gerblick |first=Jordan |date=April 20, 2021 |title=Celeste Studio Announces Earthblade, A 2D Pixel Art 'Explor-Action Game' |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/celeste-studio-announces-earthblade-a-2d-pixel-art-explor-action-game/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209200705/https://www.gamesradar.com/celeste-studio-announces-earthblade-a-2d-pixel-art-explor-action-game/ |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |access-date=December 9, 2022 |work=GamesRadar+}}{{Cite news |title=Earthblade |url=https://www.ign.com/games/earthblade |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819121457/https://www.ign.com/games/earthblade |archive-date=August 19, 2024 |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=IGN}}{{Cite news |last=Rowe |first=Willa |date=March 28, 2024 |title=Earthblade, The Next Game from Celeste Devs, Has Been Delayed |url=https://kotaku.com/earthblade-delay-celeste-developer-maddy-thorson-1851372790 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809155233/https://kotaku.com/earthblade-delay-celeste-developer-maddy-thorson-1851372790 |archive-date=August 9, 2024 |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=Kotaku}} Its genre and art style were similar to the developer's previous game, Celeste (2018).{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Nicole |date=December 8, 2022 |title=Celeste Creator's Newest Project Earthblade Pairs Platforming with Slashing |url=https://www.polygon.com/game-awards-tga/23501118/celeste-developer-earthblade-platforming-slashing-game-awards |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819121459/https://www.polygon.com/game-awards-tga/23501118/celeste-developer-earthblade-platforming-slashing-game-awards |archive-date=August 19, 2024 |access-date=December 9, 2022 |work=Polygon}} The open world game also subscribed to the adventure, especially the Metroidvania subgenre, and fantasy genres.{{Cite news |last=Murray |first=Sean |date=April 14, 2022 |title=Celeste Developer's New Game Has Entered Playtesting Phase |url=https://www.thegamer.com/celeste-earthblade-playtesting-phase/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715080700/https://www.thegamer.com/celeste-earthblade-playtesting-phase/ |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=TheGamer}}{{Cite news |last=Moyse |first=Chris |date=December 9, 2022 |title=Earthblade Is the Mythic New Adventure from Celeste Developer |url=https://www.destructoid.com/earthblade-celeste-game-awards-trailer-extremely-ok-pc/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302063828/https://www.destructoid.com/earthblade-celeste-game-awards-trailer-extremely-ok-pc/ |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=Destructoid}} The player was supposed to control the character Névoa, who had recently returned to a ruined Earth, as they explore the world, dash between platforms, climb terrain, and fight enemies.{{Cite news |last=Yang |first=George |date=March 29, 2024 |title=Celeste Developer's Next Game Earthblade Delayed Out of This Year |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/celeste-developers-next-game-earthblade-delayed-out-of-this-year/1100-6522269/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819121502/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/celeste-developers-next-game-earthblade-delayed-out-of-this-year/1100-6522269/ |archive-date=August 19, 2024 |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=GameSpot}}
Development
Earthblade was in development by the indie studio Extremely OK Games.{{Cite news |last=Chaik |first=Andy |date=March 28, 2024 |title=Earthblade, The Next Game From the Makers of Towerfall and Celeste, 'Ain't Coming Out in 2024 |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/earthblade-the-next-game-from-the-makers-of-towerfall-and-celeste-aint-coming-out-in-2024/ |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=PC Gamer}}{{Cite news |last=Damian |first=Arthur |date=December 9, 2022 |title=Earthblade Reveals Gameplay as New Game from Celeste Dev, Launches 2024 |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/earthblade-gameplay-reveal-trailer-release-date-2024-celeste-new-game/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227002529/https://www.escapistmagazine.com/earthblade-gameplay-reveal-trailer-release-date-2024-celeste-new-game/ |archive-date=February 27, 2024 |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=The Escapist}} The game was present on Steam and was set to be released for Windows platforms. The development began in 2019, though it was first publicly announced in April 2021, when the studio also released fragments of its soundtrack composed by Lena Raine.{{Cite news |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=April 19, 2021 |title=Celeste Developer Teases Next Game with a 'Vibe Reveal' |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/19/22392226/celeste-developer-earthblade-towerfall-games-vibe-reveal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320142743/https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/19/22392226/celeste-developer-earthblade-towerfall-games-vibe-reveal |archive-date=March 20, 2023 |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=The Verge}}{{Cite news |last=Carcasole |first=David |date=December 9, 2022 |title=Platformer Earthblade Revealed From The Makers Of Celeste |url=https://www.psu.com/news/platformer-earthblade-revealed-from-the-makers-of-celeste/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819121500/https://www.psu.com/news/platformer-earthblade-revealed-from-the-makers-of-celeste/ |archive-date=August 19, 2024 |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=PlayStation Universe}} The game's logo was designed by Pedro Medeiros. "When we started working again, we had this urge to run as far away from Celeste as possible", developer Maddy Thorson said. The studio later agreed to include elements of Celeste.{{Cite news |last=Bea |first=Robin |date=September 15, 2023 |title=Maddy Thorson on Celeste as a Trans Icon, The Evolution of Indies, And Her Next Game |url=https://www.inverse.com/gaming/maddy-thorson-luminaries |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816172744/https://www.inverse.com/gaming/maddy-thorson-luminaries |archive-date=August 16, 2024 |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=Inverse}}
Upon the game's first announcement, the studio first announced the game to be potentially released in 2023, though Thorson said that the game's development "could take longer".{{Cite news |last=Shaw |first=Luke |date=April 20, 2021 |title={{'}}Celeste{{'}} Dev Reveals Teaser for New Game {{'}}Earthblade{{'}} |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/celeste-dev-reveals-teaser-for-new-game-earthblade-2924216 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819121506/https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/celeste-dev-reveals-teaser-for-new-game-earthblade-2924216 |archive-date=August 19, 2024 |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=NME}} Playtesting of the game began in April 2022.{{Cite web |last=Cryer |first=Hirun |date=April 14, 2022 |title=Celeste Dev's New Game Aims for a 2023 Launch |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/celeste-devs-new-game-aims-for-a-2023-launch/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509004158/https://www.gamesradar.com/celeste-devs-new-game-aims-for-a-2023-launch/ |archive-date=May 9, 2022 |access-date=December 9, 2022 |work=GamesRadar+}} Thorson said that the studio would playtest the game each month and hoped to release the game in 2023. Thorson later showcased the first footage of Earthblade at The Game Awards 2022, where it was announced that the game would be released in 2024 instead.{{Cite web |last=Moon |first=Mariella |date=December 8, 2022 |title={{'}}Earthblade{{'}} Is the Next Game from the Team Behind {{'}}Celeste{{'}} |url=https://www.engadget.com/earthblade-is-the-next-game-from-the-team-behind-celeste-024059859.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209025428/https://www.engadget.com/earthblade-is-the-next-game-from-the-team-behind-celeste-024059859.html |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |access-date=December 9, 2022 |website=Engadget}} The studio announced in March 2024 that the game would be released after 2024, with Thorson adding that the development of the game had not become dormant.{{Cite news |last=Jarvis |first=Matt |date=March 29, 2024 |title=Celeste Creators' Next Game Earthblade Won't Be Out This Year, But Studio Assure Development Is "Not Stagnant" |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/celeste-creators-next-game-earthblade-wont-be-out-this-year-but-studio-assure-development-is-not-stagnant |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819121506/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/celeste-creators-next-game-earthblade-wont-be-out-this-year-but-studio-assure-development-is-not-stagnant |archive-date=August 19, 2024 |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=Rock Paper Shotgun}} In the same announcement, the studio announced that indie developer Kyle Pulver, who previously worked on Super Meat Boy Forever and Offspring Fling, joined the game's development team as a designer.{{Cite news |last=Norman |first=Jim |date=March 28, 2024 |title=Celeste Creator's Next Game {{'}}Earthblade{{'}} Gets Delayed, Will No Longer Release In 2024 |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/03/celeste-creators-next-game-earthblade-gets-delayed-will-no-longer-release-in-2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602000052/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/03/celeste-creators-next-game-earthblade-gets-delayed-will-no-longer-release-in-2024 |archive-date=June 2, 2024 |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=Nintendo Life}}
The studio announced in January 2025 that the game had been canceled, citing the dispute over intellectual property rights of Celeste, the loss of a studio member, and the struggle to continue development as reasons.{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=January 22, 2025 |title=Earthblade Canceled |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2025/01/earthblade-canceled |access-date=January 22, 2025 |website=Gematsu}}{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Matt |date=January 22, 2025 |title=Celeste Teams' Next Game, Earthblade, Canceled |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/celeste-teams-next-game-earthblade-canceled |access-date=January 22, 2025 |website=IGN}} The studio also announced that they would go back to working on "smaller-scale projects".{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=January 22, 2025 |title=Celeste Developers Cancel Follow-Up Game Earthblade |url=https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/22/24349916/celeste-developers-cancel-earthblade-extremely-ok-games |access-date=January 22, 2025 |website=The Verge}}
On March 7, 2025, Earthblade's music composer, Lena Raine, released an album featuring nine songs from the game, titled EARTHBLADE ~ Across the Bounds of Fate, on her Bandcamp page.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-11 |title=Lena Raine released a soundtrack for Celeste studio's cancelled follow-up game Earthblade |url=https://www.engadget.com/gaming/lena-raine-released-a-soundtrack-for-celeste-studios-cancelled-follow-up-game-earthblade-120029888.html |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=Engadget |language=en-US}} On the album's page, she describes it as more of a "concept album" than a soundtrack, stating that she "decided to cobble together every bit of music [she'd] written for the game to the point of its cancellation in order to tell [her] own version of it".{{Cite web |title=EARTHBLADE ~ Across the Bounds of Fate, by Lena Raine |url=https://radicaldreamland.bandcamp.com/album/earthblade-across-the-bounds-of-fate |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=Lena Raine |language=en}}
Reception
Chris Moyse of Destructoid praised the game's music and looks, as seen in the game's footage at The Game Awards 2022. Shubhankar Parijat of GamingBolt also praised the game's looks in the trailer.{{Cite news |last=Parijat |first=Shubhankar |date=December 9, 2022 |title=Celeste Developer's New Game, Earthblade, Looks Gorgeous in Debut Trailer |url=https://gamingbolt.com/celeste-developers-new-game-earthblade-looks-gorgeous-in-debut-trailer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211024004/https://gamingbolt.com/celeste-developers-new-game-earthblade-looks-gorgeous-in-debut-trailer |archive-date=December 11, 2022 |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=GamingBolt}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20250122223311/https://exok.com/games/earthblade/}}
{{Extremely OK Games}}
{{Portal bar|Video games}}
Category:Cancelled Windows games
Category:Open-world video games
Category:Single-player video games
Category:Video games designed by Maddy Thorson