Remember Apogee, the old-school PC gaming software publisher known for many classics like the 2D Duke Nukem games and even Castle Wolfenstein? Well, they’re still sticking around and have the subtitle “Entertainment” just for kicks, but still publish retro-style games.

Their latest? An upcoming Metroidvania side-scrolling action title called LUCID, developed by matte Black Studio. The game is a meld of flow state fun of “genre giants” like Celeste while paying tribute to 2D games like Mega Man X and Super Metroid. The game features a five Crystal Arts mechanic where our hero Oenn can equip up to two Crystal Arts at once and swap them mid-combo for platforming and combat tricks.

Expand Oenn’s mobility and enhance his combat arsenal with the five Crystal Arts—rewards for braving memorable dungeons like the icy climb of Onyx Ridge or the toxic gloom of Welltown. While Oenn can jump, dash, and pulse on his own, chain the Crystal Arts together to traverse impossible gap distances and unlock devastating combo attacks. Soften enemy armor from afar with the ranged Crystal Pulse before crushing their defenses with an overhead Crystal Axe slam. Fire the Crystal Spear to break open a pathway above or use its “down air” as a pogo to extend Oenn’s jump.

By equipping up to two Crystal Arts at once and fluidly swapping them mid-combo, lay bare the secrets of Aedyn. Solve devious puzzles in the deepest depths, defeat formidable bosses, and explore the overworld, aiding villagers and piecing together Aedyn’s history. Every item on Oenn’s journey possesses a world-building lore description, and translating runic language or defeating enough of one enemy will unfold a bigger narrative tapestry.

Check out the gameplay below. LUCID will be out for PC, PlayStation 5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch in 2024.