Hamlet Games presents a pixel art Metroidvania after four years of journey.
From Kickstarter fundraising to a wishlist reaching 70,000, a small Oregon studio has created an epic.
Emberbane , an action-adventure indie game that has long topped the wishlists of indie game fans, officially launched on Steam on February 24, 2026. Developed and published by the small indie studio Hamlet Games, the game was completed without flashy marketing or major publisher support, relying solely on the support of its community and fans, making this release even more anticipated.
A small spark from Oregon: “Only one fan.”
Hamlet Games , an indie studio based in Beaverton, Oregon, has been working on just one game for years: Emberbane .
The Kickstarter campaign, launched to fund development, surpassed its $12,000 goal, raising over $32,000 from 1,154 backers. The campaign reached 100% of its goal within its first week, and a Boss Rush mode was added as a stretch goal.
The team has been in constant communication with backers through numerous updates throughout the development process, and after overcoming numerous challenges, they said, “We have finally reached a result that we can proudly present.”
Traverse Elsinore, a kingdom of flame and ash.
Emberbane is set in the kingdom of Elsinore. Once a throne of oaths and abundance, this land is now a wasteland littered with ashes and graves. As a story that has unfolded for decades finally reaches its conclusion, the protagonist, Ophelia , still unaware of the true nature of her powers, embarks on a long journey led by a mysterious voice.
Trapped in betrayal and flame, yet possessing an unbreakable warrior’s heart, her goal is to vanquish the evil elemental gods that plague the land and restore balance to the world. From haunted forests and flooded citadels, to frozen palaces and forgotten deserts, to crystal caverns and floating mechanical cities… a colorful adventure awaits her.
A heavy emotional experience built up from pixel art and orchestra
Emberbane may initially appear simple, like any other pixel art game, but the moment you start playing, you’ll notice a distinct difference. The protagonist’s clothing and hair color change depending on the element, and micro-animations that react to light, water droplets, and even blades of grass showcase the visual performance. This isn’t just a pretty picture; it’s a living space where every pixel responds to the laws of physics.
The lighting system is also unique. Dynamic lighting casts shadows on individual pixels, creating a heavy, dark atmosphere reminiscent of classic Castlevania games. The way light seeps through and the way darkness accumulates isn’t simply decorative; it silently conveys the sickness and exhaustion of the world of Elsinore.
The soundtrack, a magnificent blend of orchestral and synthwave elements, exquisitely captures the emotions of exploration and battle. The graphics, music, and worldview consistently permeate the tragic heroic narrative, demonstrating the work’s seriousness.
Combo system, soul-like tension, and deep combat design
The core of the combat is a combo system that allows players to freely switch between the four elements: fire, water, earth, and wind. Each powerful blow adds a three-frame hit stop and meticulously adjusted screen shake for each element, delivering a solid, visceral experience. Enemy AI, which surrounds players and learns their patterns, maintains the tension and prevents repeated strategies.
The relics you acquire on your journey go beyond simple stat boosts to transform your playstyle. Upon death, your soul remains on the scene, and upon re-death, it transforms into a shadow enemy that must be defeated to be reclaimed. This soul-like structure adds a sense of risk and reward.
The main bosses, known as “Legacy Bosses,” each have their own unique storylines, and they are more like “moving puzzles,” requiring both quick reflexes and exploiting weak points. The main storyline takes approximately 15 hours to complete, exceeding 40 hours for full completion. Four different endings await, each with its own unique path to Elsinore’s fate.
“The definitive 16-bit sensibility” that keeps all promises to users.
“Emberbane,” which surpassed 70,000 wishlists before its release, continues to garner a passionate response. The development team expressed their gratitude, saying, “Every wishlist, every message, every support reminds us why we embarked on this journey.”
Fans praised the game, saying, “This is the definitive 16-bit experience that lives up to its Kickstarter promise,” and “It perfectly blends the precision platforming of ‘Celeste’ with the speed of ‘Dead Cells.’”
Meanwhile, the Steam community is also providing constructive feedback, such as requests for UI readability improvements and additional multilingual localization, and the development team is continuing to communicate by directly responding to comments.
Emberbane’s launch is more than just a new game launch; it’s the culmination of the perseverance and trust that goes into indie game development. The journey of a small team, starting without significant capital, enduring years of development and finally launching their work on the global market is a deeply moving story in itself.
If you’re a fan of the Metroidvania genre, or a gamer who wants to experience the fruits of those developers’ labors without giving up, now is the time to step into the ashes of Elsinore.
Steam Store Page:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2085310/Emberbane/
