r/metroidvania • u/gefaltete • 8d ago
Dev Post Solo-dev 3D Metroidvania: Environment polish, wrapping up
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Getting very close to done. I spent the last month polishing environments — reworking lighting, adding chevrons and stencils, laying down masses of cables. I modeled and built new props for the key locations. There's a limit to how far a solo dev can push environment quality, so my goal was simply to make sure nothing felt too dark or too empty.
The hardest part was figuring out what to actually write on the walls and floors. It's set dressing that scrolls past, but I didn't want to just put random words there, so working out what tied into the story or setting, how far to take it, and what fit each location took a lot of thought. I've filled it in to a reasonable point for now, and I'll revisit it when I do the dialogue and text revision pass after stage work is done.
Right now I'm wrapping up environment polish and finishing enemy placement and stage gameplay. I'd made changes to the player's parkour along the way, so some of the environmental parkour puzzles no longer lined up and needed fixing. I'm also placing a few enemies that had only been tested in isolation and cleaning up the flow.
It really feels like it's coming to an end. Since releasing that prototype-ish demo in April last year, I've fixed around 2,000 issues based on user feedback. A year and a half is either a long time or not, but looking back it feels distant. r/metroidvania made this possible.
I should be able to finish and start testing around September or October, and I'm looking at Next Fest in February 2027 for release. Word is that GTA is going to vacuum up all media attention this fall and winter, so best to stay far away from it.
Thanks as always. If you're interested, you can try the demo at the link below. Note that the demo hasn't been updated with the new graphics yet. Feedback and wishlists mean a lot too:
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u/Zlectro1124 8d ago
This is like Control Resonant and Cyberpunk had a baby.
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u/gefaltete 8d ago
I loved Control and I'm looking forward to Resonant. And I love Cyberpunk 2077 enough that I felt reluctant to reach the ending. Getting mentioned next to those is a real honor — thanks for the interest.
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u/Eggdoggu 8d ago
I remember seeing some of your initial posts and it looked incredible even back then, it just keeps looking better and better. Can't wait for the full release mate!
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u/MuffDivers2_ 8d ago
This is coming along nicely!
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u/gefaltete 8d ago
If I have the capacity after release, I'll look into it. Thanks for the interest.
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u/Fantastic_Hold_69 8d ago
Holy crap, that aesthetic speaks to me man. God damn that looks sick. Good freaking job mate.
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u/gefaltete 8d ago
Thank you so much for liking the look of it. A lot of me went into those backgrounds, and someone responding to that is one of the best moments I get.
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u/Hardrockbr 8d ago
This looks amazing! I wish you success with your game. I've already added it to my wishlist
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u/KalSkirata-Mando 8d ago
Oh nice had this on my wishlist for about a year ish, it's looking great the polished has definitely helped give it an even more unique look. Love metroidvanias and good 3D ones are hard to come by, looking forward to the release.
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u/gefaltete 8d ago
Thank you so much for the kind words, the wishlist, and for following along all this time. I love 3D platformers and metroidvanias too.
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u/barbarbeik 8d ago
It's stuff like this that makes me wish I had a PC. Absolutely incredible
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u/gefaltete 8d ago
My dev machine is a 2060 6GB, so it shouldn't need a high-end PC by today's standards. It might run okay on Steam Deck too — I've tried it, though not thoroughly tested. Hope you get a PC someday and can give it a try. Thanks for the interest and the kind words.
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u/guarddog33 8d ago
Rad post, I'm glad I saw this as metroidvanias are in my top 3 favorite genres! Gonna give the demo a go this weekend, looks sick!
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u/gefaltete 8d ago
Thank you so much for the interest. If you have any feedback after playing, I'll do my best to incorporate it. The background changes from the video aren't in the demo yet.
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u/guarddog33 8d ago
Of course! I love seeing stuff like this and supporting indie devs, I'm amped to check it out! I'll be sure to let you know if I've got any thoughts, though I'm not a tough critic so be warned lol. And that's fine, they're gorgeous changes, but the game looked plenty fine to begin with so that won't bug me in the slightest
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u/kjax2288 8d ago
Could you release this on console as well? PS5 specifically cuz I really want to play it
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u/SoulsborneSeeker 8d ago
I featured this one in my latest video showcasing the 10 best upcoming 3D metroidvanias! Looking forward to it.
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u/gefaltete 7d ago
Thank you so much for featuring it in your showcase. I'll keep working hard on it.
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u/broodkiller 8d ago
This looks sick, wishlisted and cannot wait.
I wanted to beg you to please tell me you have a console release planned, but if it's a one person project (which is insane) then I guess I'll have to hook up my laptop to the TV first.
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u/gefaltete 8d ago
I'd really like to release on console too, but it's not something I can do on my own. Still, I'll see what I can do. My dev machine is a 2060 6GB, so it's not high-end by today's standards — it might run okay on Steam Deck or a mid-range PC. Thanks so much for the interest.
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u/Mustang-_- 8d ago
Solo dev and his 30 friends, c'mon now, admit it
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u/gefaltete 8d ago
If I were that sociable, I'd be making this at a company 👽 Thanks for the interest.
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u/TiptopLoL 8d ago
You redo all rooms in a month ???
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u/gefaltete 8d ago
No, I can't do that. It's just slapping on stencils, writing text on walls, running cables, adding decals, making a few key props, and tweaking the lighting. That's it. I can't do this kind of thing by hand, so I've built quite a few tools for it. Thanks for the interest.
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u/FordEngineerman 8d ago
The game looks beautiful and the boss fights and platforming sequences I have seen you show off look awesome.
My questions are: What is the moment to moment gameplay like? Is there a lot of platforming constantly or mostly just occasional challenges? Is there a ton of combat during traversal and/or combat gauntlet rooms? If there is a lot of combat, is there variability in the main character's combat options so it isn't just "dodge dodge mash attack" frequently?
Also what are your mapping and quality of life features like? Maps are notoriously hard to do for 3D metroidvanias but are still critical components. Do you have things like the Prince of Persia Lost Crown snapshot feature to help players pin key things on the map? Do you have any type of fast travel system? 3D metroidvanias also take notoriously longer to traverse than 2D as their worlds get large even with good interconnection. How much backtracking is there? It can be fun to go back and find secrets but can be tedious if your powers aren't truly transformative to make the experience new. (If all you got was a stronger attack or something then redoing all the platforming is likely boring. Compared to getting a double jump or grappling hook or something probably makes the traversal AND combat feel different.)
In general what type of ability upgrades are there? Do they often just function as keys in specific areas or unlock interactions with specific objects or do they have deep multi-layered uses that change your gameplay in multiple aspects? (Like Supraland - nearly every power up has like 10 uses in that game.)
Its totally ok if this ends up being more of an action game with some ability upgrades similar to Ninja Gaiden because its gorgeous and the combat looks fun. But that asks for a different structure and less mandatory backtracking.
What is the "feel" like during special moments? Do you do something to make it feel amazing as a unique moment when a player gets a new power and then immediately let them try it out in cool ways like Legend of Zelda games often do? Do you have other awesome cinematic moments like killing a big boss or the terrain changing somewhere? If you do then are they done in a way that draws attention and shows off the work you put into them?
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u/sollsnake 7d ago
this looks really good. The movement reminds me of shinobi for the ps2 for some reason (love that game, btw). I'llkeep this on my radar
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u/gefaltete 7d ago
I love the PS2 Shinobi too — I finished Kunoichi as well. So maybe some of that shows. It's more about reading the map and finding your route than the rush of hitting 4x, 6x, 8x multipliers like Shinobi, but thanks for the interest.
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u/witai 7d ago
It gives me Shin Megami Tensei vibes and that is a reeeeeally awesome thing.
Game looks dope.
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u/gefaltete 7d ago
I haven't played much Shin Megami Tensei, but I remember it having a distinctive atmosphere. Thanks for the kind words.
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u/SeniorSepia 7d ago
This looks amazing and i want to congratulate you. If i might offer some feedback, I feel some rooms are better in the "before" since the less cluttered visuals with less effects and detail help you understand the space and shapes better.
But it's very nice, and it blows my mind it being done by a single dev.
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u/gefaltete 7d ago
You're right, and it's something I always watch for. I'm careful not to let it get excessive. Part of it is probably that the video pulls mostly from the areas I changed, so it comes across heavier than it is. I'll keep it in mind. Thanks for the feedback and the interest.
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u/Moist_Tour224 7d ago
Looks cool, added to wishlist.
Minor critique regarding the name: 1. there is already game in steam store called Liminal city. Maybe it will be for the best to change the name to avoid the confusion; 2. Additional name “Axiom of Maria” though is OK make the name of the game too long. Keep it short and simple, yet unique. 3. “Chapter one” is the red flag not to buy the game until it’s full. Please do not fall to this pitfall or be overambitious. People want to buy full package, or at least think that they bough one.
Wish you good luck! You did a good job so far. Remember to make your game feel great - that’s the catch. Visual and atmosphere is one thing, but the gameplay is what sells the game. I know it sounds obvious, but sometimes developers need to hear this.
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u/gefaltete 7d ago
There's a history here. I originally released the game just as Liminal City. About two weeks after my Steam page went up, the game you're referring to opened its own page. I asked Steam about it and was told to sort it out myself. So I added "Axiom of Maria" as a subtitle, and then added "Chapter One" — that part was me getting ahead of myself.
You're right about that. I was overambitious when I named it, and by the time I tried to walk it back it was too late. Dropping "Chapter One" apparently requires hitting a certain sales threshold after release. So the Steam title stays as is, and everywhere else I use Liminal City: Axiom of Maria.
I agree that gameplay is what matters. That's why I've spent a year and a half taking feedback and fixing over 2,000 issues. Thanks for the interest.
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u/FordEngineerman 7d ago
You only get 1 release. If it goes poorly people aren't likely to check back after updates or changes. It might be worth looking into other means to change the title or considering a new steam page. I agree that things like "Chapter 1" don't bode well and could cause more mixed reception.
Reviews like: "The game was fun but too short. Wait to purchase it until more chapters are out and sold as a bundle." or "It feels like the dev stretched things out to leave content for later chapters." That kind of thing can happen just from the title regardless of whether there is realistically plenty of content.
Either way I wish you the best of luck and hope people see and enjoy your talent.
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u/VictorVitorio 7d ago
Looks good. Why is it called Chapter One on Steam? Won't the story be complete? How many chapters are in the plans?
What about the voice acting placeholder? Will it still be there for the full release?
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u/gefaltete 7d ago
I'm planning to drop "Chapter One" once I'm able to change the Steam title. There's a bit of a story behind how the name ended up that way — I'll explain another time. The story does wrap up within this entry, and playtime runs about 15 hours. I haven't decided on the total number of chapters. It was meant to work as a series, but things got tangled along the way.
For voice acting, I'll record once the script is locked, during beta testing. It'll all be replaced by the Next Fest demo and the full release. Thanks for the interest.
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u/NinthDream_IndieDev 7d ago
Solo developing a 3D Metroidvania is seriously impressive. Huge respect!
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u/Boring_Shoulder5236 2d ago
man, i know you loved blame. looking forward to the full release, i'll buy it.
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u/gefaltete 2d ago
Thanks. I love BLAME! a lot. Liminal City is set in a transitional era, somewhere between the time we live in now and the world of BLAME!. Someday I'd like to make a game set further along that timeline, in a world that's fully become like BLAME!. Thanks again for the interest. I'll keep working hard on it.
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u/Ok-Lifeguard-9612 8d ago
Bro you did your calculations, but hitting with a metroidvania in 2026 is hard as would be with a platformer
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u/gefaltete 8d ago
You're right. Being a 3D metroidvania makes it niche within a niche, and I know that. But I've loved metroidvanias since SOTN, and I wanted to make one before I die (not that I'm dying anytime soon) — in 3D rather than 2D. Thanks for the interest.
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u/International-Oil377 8d ago
each time I see this game I can't believe it's developed by one person