Developer Little Legendary has had a life-changing month. The indie studio recently obliterated its Kickstarter goals for SHADE Protocol, a gorgeous Metroidvania currently in development for PC, reaching its targets in a single day.
The studio initially set a modest base goal of $40,000. That figure quickly became irrelevant as donations flooded in, pushing the project past $230,000 in just 24 hours. By the time the dust settled on that record-breaking day, the team had secured over 150,000 wishlists and 10,000 Steam followers. As of now, the project has raised over $275,420, nearly seven times its original target.
A Star-Studded Soundtrack
The influx of funding has allowed the team to aggressively pursue its stretch goals, most notably the recruitment of vocalist Emi Evans. Best known for her iconic contributions to the NieR series and Dark Souls, Evans shared her potential involvement on social media, sparking a wave of support that helped the project clear its $240,000 threshold. Little Legendary expressed their disbelief at the milestone, noting on Twitter, "Don't wake me up please!"
With the current funding levels, the studio has confirmed that the game’s score will feature a blend of high-profile talent and live instrumentation. In addition to Evans, the soundtrack will feature veteran Mega Man composer Matsumae Manami. The soundscape is intended to be a foundational element of the experience, as the game describes its setting as a fantasy where "music, code, and combat collide."
Gameplay and Setting
In SHADE Protocol, players take control of Zura, an android dressed in a black tea party dress, navigating a world defined by technological collapse. The environment promises to be distinct, featuring locations like the "Codesong," which the developers describe as the foundation of all reality—a place where code and music flow together.
Combat is similarly tied to this musical theme. Players will defend themselves using "Instruments," which function as powerful code-based weaponry. Each instrument is designed to serve a specific role in battle and exploration, encouraging a strategic approach to the game's Metroidvania-style map. For those interested in the PC gaming landscape, SHADE Protocol looks to offer a refreshing take on post-apocalyptic settings, moving away from standard tropes in favor of a more melodic, code-driven world.