Publisher and developer Play on Worlds, and developer Orbit Studio have announced Ebenezer and the Invisible World, a hand-drawn Metroidvania fantasy reimagination of Charles Dickens’ classic ghost story A Christmas Carol. It will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC via Steam in 2023. A demo is available now for PC.
Here is an overview of the game, via its Steam page:
About
Embark on a story-rich 2D Metroidvania adventure with breathtaking hand-drawn art, playing as miser-turned-hero Ebenezer Scrooge in a reimagined Victorian-fantasy based on Charles Dickens’ classic novel, A Christmas Carol. Enlist the help of ghosts to save the people of London before it’s too late.
Join Ebenezer Scrooge and a team of spectral allies as they battle to save London from the clutches of the wealthy industrialist, Caspar Malthus, and his militant Private Guard. With each Ghost lending their unique abilities, explore the dark corners of London and uncover the sinister influence of the Dark Spirit and an army of Unrepentant Ghosts. Will you have the courage to confront Caspar and stop his malevolent plans before it is too late?
Key Features
- Meet and unlock powerful Ghosts, each with their own stories and quests to complete, lending their powers to Ebenezer on this adventure.
- Explore Victorian-era London across multiple regions of the city and uncover the dark secrets of the Malthus family.
- Traverse the world in extraordinary ways with the help of Movement Ghosts, including trapeze artists Rose and Flossie Reed, mountaineer Victoria Peak, professor of time and space Haley Hall, and many others.
- Use each Ghost’s special ability to explore the world while fighting a legion of Unrepentant Ghosts who have descended upon London since the return of the Dark Spirit.
- Enjoy the narrative through dialogues and in-game cutscenes and learn the tragic backstories of Ghosts now tethered to the mortal world.
- Learn and master an intricate map in a classic non-linear, ability gated, Metroidvania.
- Collect limited materials such as Ether, Iron, and Mugwort to unlock new items and abilities.
- Discover secret areas and rare materials.
- All art is hand-drawn featuring frame-by-frame coloring and animations.
Watch the announcement trailer below. View the first screenshots at the gallery.