Brazilian indie developer Asteristic Game Studio is grabbing industry attention with the release of the first official gameplay trailer for their hand-drawn 2D action platformer, DekaDuck.
Asteristic Game Studio is known as the co-developer of “Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider,” a modern reimagining of classic 16-bit action games. Their latest game, “DekaDuck,” draws inspiration from the Mega Man series and Treasure classics like “Alien Soldier,” “Mischief Makers,” and “Silhouette Mirage.”
Dynamic combat with detachable mechanical arms
DekaDuck’s most unique feature is its detachable mechanical arm mechanism. Part duck, part robot, the bounty hunter DekaDuck can use his detachable hands to grab most objects, including enemies, items, and platforms.
Players can expand Dekaduck’s abilities by utilizing various enemies. Examples include using bats as boomerangs, spring-loaded enemies to jump high, and small duck toys as bombs. These systems are utilized not only for combat and movement but also for puzzle solving, demanding players’ creativity and improvisation.
Platforming based on speed and momentum
The game is designed around speed, momentum, and experimentation, encouraging players to maintain flow and forward momentum through positioning, timing, and interaction with enemies, rather than relying solely on traditional shooting.
Dekaduck’s abilities, which combine rapid movements with dashing and shooting, even a super dash, require precision and quick reflexes. Beyond simple action, the game emphasizes replayability and individual expression of the player’s personality.
Hand-drawn art and sci-fi story
Illustrated by artist Glauco Silva, the game boasts rich environments and fluid 2D animations brought to life through digital art. From a mechanical forest to a neon city, the game features six diverse worlds, each filled with unique enemies, secret areas, and colossal bosses.
The story begins when Dr. Less, on the run from the intergalactic police, crash-lands on an unknown planet, combining his brilliant mind with his daughter’s pet duck to create Dekaduck. Players embark on an adventure as Dekaduck, a bounty hunter who works for criminals and brings them to justice.
The game features a colorful cast of characters, including Aiko, the captain of the Galactic Police who has a crush on Dekaduck, and Ekos, a literal arms dealer.
Kickstarter campaign and future plans
DekaDuck is currently planning a PC release via Steam and is preparing a Kickstarter campaign to fund continued development. The campaign will focus on expanding content, improving systems, and evaluating support for additional platforms based on community interest.
The development team announced plans to release a PC demo alongside the campaign via social network Bluesky. Based on the first trailer and early press coverage, “DekaDuck” represents Asteristic Game Studio’s next step in bringing momentum-driven 2D action games to a wider audience.
DekaDuck, a game that combines the nostalgia of classic platformers with the innovation of modern mechanics, is available for purchase through your Steam Wishlist.
Steam Store Page:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3715040/DekaDuck/
