If you remember those stupid Tiger Electronics LCD handheld things from the early 1990s, then you were around in the early 1990s. Now, Spanish indie game studio Aeternum Game Studios has gone and done a platformer using that distinct graphics style.
Future Knight takes the fixed image printed onto a handheld screen look of the old LCD games. And it adds in some fancy new modern gaming sensibilities, too, so it’s a more complete experience.
Tiger Electronics… Meet Future Knight!
This is out now on Steam only and is styled like a run and fun type platformer of yesteryear. The genre was very popular in the 1990s. Here you take control of a robotic hero and your goal is to stop a cult from doing its thing.
Into the frantic action you go to shoot stuff, take out weird bosses, and race around in the air on a hoverboard type deal. Oh, and it’s all set in a retro-futuristic 1993 version of Tokyo.
Future Knight stands out thanks to its liquid crystal display look. As if you’re staring at a calculator, but not.
However, the devs were also inspired by Japanese animator, artist, and director Satoshi Kon who was notable for his bizarre, faintly disturbing work. And that really comes across in some of the concepts the game has (particularly the grotesque boss battles). Behold it in action!
Future Knight’s attention to detail is impressive, there’s always something fancy going on with the visual flair. Playing it, you’re always on the lookout for some new quirk.
The soundtrack is pretty unique, too, offering some intriguing work by the composer Salvinky. Previously, they’d worked on the score for the underrated Metroidvania romp Narita Boy (2021). This is one of our favourites (Either Hours Before).
As for the gameplay with Future Knight, it’s frantic stuff and only lasts around two hours overall. We think that’s best, as the gameplay can get a little bit repetitive.
Overall, great fun little title. It’s designed to not outstay its welcome, but also dazzle with its unique approach to modernised-retro graphics. The very best of indie gaming creativity! Even if this isn’t an all-time classic, it still delivers a memorable blast.
