Screenbound Brings Its Unique '5D' Platforming to Consoles in September

One of the most talked-about titles at Summer Game Fest this year was Screenbound, a clever platformer from Crescent Moon Games that challenges players to manage two dimensions at once. The game, which has gained significant traction on social media since its 2024 reveal, tasks you with navigating a first-person 3D space while simultaneously watching a 2D sidescrolling view on a fictional handheld device.

How the Multi-Dimensional Gameplay Works

The core hook of Screenbound is that obstacles and paths often exist in only one of the two perspectives. For example, a player might encounter a chasm in the 3D world with no apparent way across. However, checking the 2D handheld screen might reveal a balloon hovering over the gap. By jumping and aligning their movement with what they see on the handheld, players can grab the balloon’s string and cross safely.

Game director Josh Presseisen explains that the idea came to him after experimenting with various prototypes. “I randomly saw a picture of someone playing a handheld device and it triggered the idea in my head,” Presseisen says. “The 2D screen was somehow linked to the 3D world in the game.”

A Massive Technical Undertaking

Building a game that requires two distinct visual styles to function in tandem is no small task. Crescent Moon Games partnered with Radical Forge to tackle the development, which essentially requires creating two games at once. To streamline this process, the team built a custom level editor from the ground up.

“We’ve created a level editor... that allows you to draw the game in a 2D tile editor, simplifying the creation of levels,” Presseisen notes. The editor generates terrain based on the 2D tiles, allowing the developers to add 3D details afterward. This system ensures that the 2D and 3D perspectives stay connected, which Presseisen calls one of the “magical inner workings” of the title.

More Than Just One Perspective

While the 2D-to-3D blend is the primary gimmick, the full version of Screenbound will include additional gameplay styles. Presseisen teased that once players complete the first cartridge, they will gain access to another one that introduces a top-down view reminiscent of early retro adventure games. This addition will provide new weapons and tools, expanding the game’s scope beyond the initial platforming mechanics.

If you want to try the mechanics for yourself before the September 10, 2026 launch, a demo is currently available on Steam.