Part of this generation's 8-bit revival, publisher and developer Nicalis just released a "New Challengers" trailer for 1001 Spikes. Or, if we're going by full names, Aban Hawkins and the 1001 Spikes: The Temple of the Dead Mourns the Living. But 1001 Spikes will do just fine.
In the spirit of recently challenging platformers, 1001 Spikes boasts tough-as-nails difficulty; pixel-perfect, razor-sharp controls; and clever-yet-insidious game design. It's also bringing in a cast of characters spanning several properties, e.g., VVVVV, The Tempura of the Dead, Knytt Stories, and even Commander Video from the Bit.Trip series. I'm guessing there's more to come.
By the way, the Nicalis website is wonderful. Just poke around for a couple minutes.
There's no announced release date for 1001 Spikes, though it's coming to PlayStation 4, PS Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, and PC.
About 1001 Spikes
Title: 1001 Spikes
Publisher: Nicalis
Developer: Nicalis, Inc. / 8Bits Fanatics
Platform: Xbox One®, PlayStation 4, PlayStation®Vita, Wii U, Nintendo 3DS and PC (Windows, OSX, and Linux)
Genre: 2D action-platformer
Price: TBD
Players: Single player campaign, 2-4 player local co-op and versus modes
Release: Summer 2014
Rating: T for Teen - Blood, Violence, Mild Language
Synopsis
Discover the lost treasures of Ukampa in South America as Aban Hawkins searches for his estranged father, world-famous archaeologist Jim Hawkins. Before the elder Hawkins mysteriously disappeared, he entrusted his daughter Tina with a map to the location of the ruins with a grave warning that death awaits around every corner.
Aban Hawkins races into the frozen tundra of the antarctic, undiscovered temple ruins, and the vast caverns of South America in search of his father and the legendary treasure rumored to lie behind the Golden Door of Poko-Mum.
Game Features
Tough-as-nails difficulty
Pixel-perfect, razor-sharp controls
Clever-yet-insidious game design
Single and simultaneous 2-4 player co-op and vs. multiplayer!
8-bit inspired visuals with current gen flare
Soundtrack by Misoka and Rushjet1
Over a dozen unlockable characters with different abilities, some as featured friends from other games
Over 100 stages to clear
Three save files
Multiple endings
More information can be found on the official website at http://nicalis.com
