Cape Cosmic Unveils Star Iliad: A New Metroidvania Adventure for Steam

Cape Cosmic, the acclaimed indie studio known for Phoenotopia: Awakening, has officially announced its next project: Star Iliad, a Metroidvania adventure with a captivating cosmic setting.

Building on their reputation for rich storytelling and expressive pixel art, Cape Cosmic’s new title invites players into the depths of a mysterious star whale—a sprawling, living world filled with intrigue, action, and discovery. Announced via the developer’s official Tumblr, Star Iliad marks a distinct shift toward Metroid-inspired gameplay.

While Phoenotopia channeled Zelda-like exploration, the new project features a much larger world map, a focus on ranged combat, and a promise of roughly 40 hours of gameplay.

The star of the story is Blythe Braves, who answers a distress call and finds herself, along with other castaways, trapped inside a whale-shaped rock formation after her ship is destroyed by alien forces.

The central narrative unfolds as players explore this enormous cosmic microcosm, seeking a way to escape and unravel layered mysteries. According to Cape Cosmic’s announcement, Star Iliad will feature a robust suite of gameplay mechanics.

Among the highlights are: - An engaging single-player campaign with themes of mystery, adventure, and romance - A dynamic communication system that allows for in-depth interaction with a diverse cast of characters, inspired by classic codec-style interfaces - Spell-powered combat and puzzle solving, utilizing a repertoire of 40 unique spells—ranging from transformative cloaks to missile-style attacks and powerful shells - Deep suit customization through an advanced computer chip system, offering over 30 different chips to modify and enhance gameplay - The unique Spell Gun, which can be evolved and customized by collecting more than 50 gun shards - An expansive variety of enemies, featuring over 150 types and 25 epic boss encounters - Exploration of over 20 diverse biomes within the star whale itself, each crafted with secrets and distinct environmental storytelling - A sweeping original soundtrack of more than 50 tracks, blending orchestral, synth, rock, and folk elements - Over 30 achievements to earn, encouraging replayability and deep exploration - An estimated 40+ hours of core gameplay, with ample content for completionists Cape Cosmic also shared honest reflections on their past.

While Phoenotopia: Awakening did not achieve high sales numbers, the studio notes that persistent fan support and steady income—including help from family—have allowed the development team to continue their creative journey.

The developer expressed gratitude, remarking that the continued interest in Phoenotopia has helped the team "stay afloat" and embark on this ambitious new project. At present, Star Iliad is confirmed for release on Steam, with no official announcement regarding Nintendo Switch or other platforms.

However, given Cape Cosmic’s strong indie roots and the dedicated fanbase from Phoenotopia, there is considerable anticipation for future platform releases.

Fans can follow ongoing development updates through Cape Cosmic’s developer log and official channels. With its inventive setting, expansive gameplay systems, and signature pixel art, Star Iliad has already captured the attention of Metroidvania enthusiasts and indie game aficionados alike.

Stay tuned to our site for the latest Star Iliad news, platform updates, and in-depth features as Cape Cosmic brings this cosmic odyssey to life.

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