- The Inspiration: A top-down action-adventure that captures the magic of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.
- The Hook: Master and combine 8 distinct elements to solve puzzles and conquer 8 massive dungeons.
- The Pedigree: A debut title from solo developer Iván Ruiz Lozano, a self-taught engineer who spent six years bringing this vision to life.
- The Launch: Officially released on April 28, 2026, across PC (Steam, GOG), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox.
The “Zelda-like” genre has a new champion. AnKae Games, based in Barcelona, and publisher Top Hat Studios have officially unleashed Elementallis. Born from a successful Kickstarter and fueled by half a decade of solo development, this pixel-art gem proves that the formula of “explore, solve, and conquer” is as timeless as ever.
A Journey of Guilt and Restoration
Set in the world of Elregir, the story follows an aspiring Elementalist whose actions inadvertently cause the world’s natural elements to spiral out of control. This isn’t just a quest for glory; it’s a narrative of self-healing and atonement.
Players must venture into eight distinct biomes to reconnect with the Elemental Spirits and restore balance to a world that now views Elementalists with deep suspicion. The story moves beyond simple heroism, touching on the internal struggle of rectifying one’s own mistakes.
Elemental Synergies and Metroidvania Depth
While the camera angle says “classic Zelda,” the progression logic leans into Metroidvania principles.
- Ability-Gating: New elemental spells aren’t just for combat—they are your keys to the world. A fire spell might burn away thorns, while a wind spell allows you to glide across chasms.
- Strategic Combat: Battles are real-time and require quick thinking. You’ll need to swap between elements (Fire, Water, Lightning, Earth, Nature, Ice, Air, and Aether) to exploit enemy weaknesses and environmental hazards.
- The Temple Loop: Each of the 8 temples acts as a complex mechanical puzzle box, culminating in a boss fight that tests your mastery of the region’s specific element.
Retro Aesthetic, Modern Polish
Visually, Elementallis is a masterclass in modern pixel art. It evokes the 16-bit era with its vibrant color palettes and clean lines but adds modern lighting and fluid animations that wouldn’t have been possible on original hardware.
The auditory experience is equally evocative, with a soundtrack that shifts dynamically between the serene whispers of a forest and the oppressive, heavy themes of the underground temples.
Quick Specification: Elementallis
| Category | Details |
| Developer | AnKae Games (Solo Dev: Iván Ruiz Lozano) |
| Publisher | Top Hat Studios, Inc. |
| Genre | Top-down Action-Adventure / Metroidvania |
| Platforms | PC (Steam, GOG), Switch, PS4/5, Xbox One/Series |
| Release Date | April 28, 2026 |
| Content Volume | 8 Elements, 8 Biomes, 8 Temples |
| Core Inspiration | Zelda: A Link to the Past, Resident Evil (Puzzle Logic) |
The Engineer’s Passion Project
The story behind the game is as impressive as the game itself. Iván Ruiz Lozano, a former engineer, taught himself game development from scratch to build Elementallis. Starting as a personal project in late 2019, it grew into a global effort through the support of the Kickstarter community.
Throughout the six-year development cycle, Lozano maintained a transparent dialogue with backers, refining the “elemental synergy” mechanics based on player feedback. The result is a polished, cohesive experience that feels like a long-lost classic finally rediscovered.
Official Steam Page: Elementallis on Steam
