A puzzle game inspired by manga and Belgian comics, scheduled for release in Q2 2026 .
Badass Mongoose , an indie game studio based in Wallonia, southern Belgium, has released a Steam demo for its new puzzle adventure game Helix: Descent N Ascent . The game will also be participating in the February edition of Steam Next Fest, which runs from February 23rd to March 2nd.
Forgotten Civilizations and My Other Self
Helix: Descent N Ascent begins with players waking up in a dark, desolate, disembodied world. Known as the “Forgotten World,” “Helix” is home to an ancient power, and players must awaken it one by one as they pursue the secrets of a lost civilization.
As you continue your exploration, you’ll encounter a being that looks exactly like you, a “doppelganger.” He always seems to interfere with the player’s actions, but it’s difficult to determine whether he’s an enemy or an ally. As the game’s title suggests, this journey, intertwined with “descent” and “ascent,” goes beyond simple exploration and poses philosophical questions about identity, loneliness, and the nature of relationships.
Memories and mysteries of the past intertwine with personal, cultural, and spiritual threads, forcing gamers to experience not just solving puzzles, but reconstructing a lost life.
Discover, combine, and unleash your powers.
The core of the game lies in the “ability discovery” and “combination system.” As players explore, they acquire new abilities, each designed to interact with the environment in meaningful ways. The true joy of this game lies not in simply using abilities, but in freely combining them to tackle more complex puzzles.
The recently released demo offers approximately 30 minutes of gameplay and a preview of three abilities. The puzzles are designed to challenge logical thinking and creativity rather than mere mechanical skills, making them a perfect fit for gamers who enjoy brain-stimulating exploration. The added element of a doppelganger interfering with the player’s actions further enhances the tension and complexity of the puzzles.
Unique art style inspired by black and white comics
The game’s visuals are rendered in a monochrome art style inspired by 1980s black-and-white indie comics, 1990s manga, and 1970s Franco-Belgian comics. The animated 2D backgrounds blend with painterly illustrations, conveying the story through imagery and atmosphere, rather than words or text.
The contrast of black and white isn’t simply a visual choice; it’s also a symbolic device that expresses the game’s theme of the dichotomy of light and dark. The way emotions and narrative are conveyed so fully, even without dialogue, creates a sense that this isn’t just a puzzle game, but a work of art.
The music is also noteworthy. Jim Guthrie , known for his soundtracks to Sword and Sorcery, Nobody Saves the World, and Below, is in charge of the composition. The music, organically blending with the black-and-white graphics, draws players into a dreamlike, tranquil, yet eerie world.
A Black and White World Born with Government Support in Wallonia, Belgium
Developer Badass Mongoose aims to create elaborate hand-drawn worlds with mechanics that reward creative thinking. Helix: Descent N Ascent is the studio’s first commercial title, and is being developed with support from the “Rayonnement Wallonie” grant, run by the Wallonian government, and Wallimage (Wallonia). The studio is accepting interviews in both English and French and is confident in the quality of the game.
Rave reviews from both users and critics: “Perfect for fans of emotionally charged indie games.”
The Steam community has been enthusiastic about the demo since its release. One user praised it, saying it’s “without a doubt, the best puzzle game I’ve played in a long time.” It’s also garnered attention from international gaming media. A Nintendo fan media outlet commented that gamers who enjoy emotional indie games like INSIDE and GRIS will experience a similar inner journey.
Bleeding Cool also highlighted the game’s unique approach to exploring a mysterious black-and-white world, utilizing the dual selves of light and dark. Since the demo’s release, the development team has actively engaged with the community, releasing patches that quickly address bugs and improve level design.
Combining a black-and-white aesthetic, a philosophical narrative, and a unique puzzle mechanic based on skill combinations, Helix: Descent N Ascent aims to be more than just a puzzle game. Created by a small Belgian studio, this title is considered a fresh challenge, following in the footsteps of titles like INSIDE and GRIS, which prioritize both artistry and gameplay.
Helix: Descent N Ascent is currently in development and is slated for release on PC (Steam) and Nintendo Switch in Q2 2026 , and a free demo is currently available on Steam.
Steam Store Page:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2736370/Helix_Descent_N_Ascent/
