Korea’s rising indie studio Quesera Games (CEO Jaehyun Park) has announced that its new 2D action-adventure rhythm title, “Nientum – Opus Zero,” will launch on Steam Early Access on November 24. The game blends platforming, runner-style action, and rhythm-based mechanics into a theatrical adventure that has already garnered significant anticipation.
🎵 From Hit Rhythm Game ‘KALPA’ to a New Genre Fusion
Quesera Games entered the industry to become “Korea’s premier rhythm-game studio.”
Their debut title KALPA, established that identity early, recording 1.5 million downloads as a traditional mobile rhythm game. The PC port—funded through a successful crowdfunding campaign—also launched on Steam Early Access earlier this year, accompanied by a ₩130 million ($95,000) Tumblbug campaign.
Building on this momentum, the studio aims to redefine the rhythm-action genre with Nientum – Opus Zero.
🎭 A Rhythm Game That Doesn’t Look Like a Rhythm Game
Unlike conventional rhythm games filled with intimidating note patterns, Nientum – Opus Zero focuses on the joy of interacting with music rather than difficulty.
The game follows two amnesiac girls, Aleph and Liora, as they explore a massive theatrical world where distorted memories manifest as broken performances. Players must restore stage plays inspired by familiar myths and fairy tales—including The Wizard of Oz, The Tale of Princess Kaguya, and Cinderella.
CEO Park notes:
“We wanted people to enjoy the act of interacting with music without feeling overwhelmed by traditional rhythm-game complexity.
Our biggest design challenge was building a rhythm game that doesn’t instantly look like a rhythm game.”
🎬 A Play Within a Play: Musical Staging Meets Action
The game alternates between two layers:
1. Backstage (Platforming Exploration)
Find and tune “broken notes” scattered throughout each stage while navigating a whimsical sidescrolling world.
2. On Stage (Real-time Musical Interaction)
Players manipulate stage machinery in sync with music, completing theatrical performances in real time.
Movement is automatic—notes appear left and right on the track, and players “jump onto the rhythm” rather than pressing falling notes.
Later chapters escalate to dramatic musical boss battles, framed as vocal duels that heighten narrative tension.
The overall presentation blends papercraft-like art, musical spectacle, and side-scrolling action to create an audiovisual experience unlike any existing rhythm game.
🏆 International Recognition and Festival Highlights
Since the release of its 2024 demo, Nientum – Opus Zero has been recognized both domestically and globally.
Major achievements include:
- BIC 2024 – Excellence in Audio Award
- Gamescom Asia 2024 – Indie WaveMakers Audience Choice Award
- Selected for Google Indie Games Accelerator
The demo has been showcased at major Korean and global events, including:
- PlayX4 2024
- Busan Indie Connect Festival
- Steam Next Fest (October 2024)
- G-STAR 2024 and G-STAR 2025
- Burning Beaver (Seoul DDP)
At G-STAR 2025, the title impressed audiences with its seamless fusion of rhythm gameplay, platforming, and theatrical production—earning praise for elevating its “fairytale + stage play” concept into a fully cohesive experience.
Recognition of artistic quality both domestically and internationally
Since the release of the DEMO version in 2024, ‘Nientum – Opus Zero’ has received recognition for its quality both domestically and internationally, including winning the BIC Excellence in Audio award, the Audience Choice Award at the Gamescom Asia 2024 Indie Wavemakers event awards ceremony, and being selected for Google Indie Game Accelerator.
The demo version was exhibited at the 2024 Play Expo and Busan Indie Connect Festival, attracting much attention from visitors. On October 14, 2024, the demo version was released on Steam and participated in Steam Next Fest. On November 16 and 17, the demo booth was exhibited at G-Star 2024, and from November 29 to December 1, it participated in Burning Beaver held at DDP in Seoul.
In addition, at the 2025 G-Star held this year, the company presented a new genre that combined platformer action with rhythm games, and received favorable reviews for maximizing the concepts of Märchen (fairy tale) and ‘play’ in its gameplay and direction.
💰 Crowdfunding Success Bolsters Early Access Launch
A Tumblbug crowdfunding campaign concluded with ₩35 million ($26,000) raised, signaling strong community anticipation for the Early Access release.
BIC Festival Organizing Committee member Seongpil Joo commented:
“Korean indie developers are proving their value on the global stage.
‘Nientum – Opus Zero’ is a standout example of the BigJam program’s success, and we will continue supporting studios poised for international impact.”
🎙 Full Voice Acting & Star-Studded Cast
The Early Access version introduces full Japanese voice-over, featuring:
- Aleph — Anzai Chika
- Liora — Takada Yūki
- Modred — Koyasu Takehito
In addition, players will explore a Director’s Room for collecting stage elements and enjoy a free-play rhythm mode built upon Quesera Games’ technical expertise.
CEO Park adds:
“Nientum lowers the barriers of the rhythm genre while preserving what makes rhythm interaction so enjoyable.
With musical storytelling and emotional staging, we aim to deliver a rhythm-action experience that anyone can immerse themselves in.”
🎮 Early Access Launch Details
Title: Nientum – Opus Zero
Platform: Steam (PC)
Release: November 24, 2025 (Early Access)
Features:
- Hybrid rhythm–platformer–runner gameplay
- Full voice acting
- Musical boss battles
- Theatrical stage-play narrative
- Exploration & rhythm interaction mechanics
- Fairytale-inspired worlds
Steam Store: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2725250/Nientum__OpZERO/
