Moonlight Kids, the studio behind 2021's The Wild at Heart, is set to release Echo Weaver next month. This new title combines elements of platforming, Metroidvania exploration, and roguelite structure, but with a distinct focus on puzzles and handcrafted level design. The game's core loop revolves around discovery and knowledge acquisition within a time-limited cycle.
Players are dropped into an alien environment and encouraged to explore until their cycle ends, either through failure or time running out. Upon respawning, they retain the knowledge gained from previous runs, allowing them to navigate familiar corridors more effectively and delve deeper into the mysterious complex. The world expands as players progress, revealing secrets and new areas.
Chris Sumsky, game designer and co-founder of Moonlight Kids, drew inspiration from games like the 2019 indie hit Outer Wilds. "There are time loop games, of course," Sumsky told Polygon, "not least of which the very one we were inspired by. There are knowledge-gated games, not many, but they’re gaining popularity. And naturally, there are platformers. Many… many platformers. But we weren’t seeing anyone really combining all these into one."
The gameplay, as experienced in a demo, emphasizes thoughtful exploration over intense combat. The pressure of the time limit encourages players to strategize and make the most of each cycle. "The only thing stopping you is what you don’t know yet," Sumsky explained, "and that’s the whole fun of the game! The discovery is real discovery, not just unlocking a new item or ability you didn’t have before."
Each cycle begins with familiar challenges, but as players learn enemy patterns and environmental cues, they can optimize their actions. This allows more time for solving puzzles, such as activating a series of switches to unlock new pathways. "That’s a hard thing to wrap your head around right away," Sumsky said of this gameplay loop. "Very few games do this. So that feeling keeps coming back again and again."
The game's primary tool, a blade that can lodge in walls and trigger switches, plays a key role in both combat and traversal. Discovering new applications for this weapon can alter how players approach each cycle, ensuring that tedium does not set in. Unconventional fast travel methods are also integrated into the world design.
Regarding the game's length, Sumsky noted that initial estimates of 6-8 hours might be conservative, especially with substantial side content and a rumored "super ending." The discovery-driven nature means player progress can vary significantly based on their puzzle-solving abilities and recognition of new gameplay possibilities.
Echo Weaver is scheduled for release on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X on October 8.