Developer Double Fine and publisher Adult Swim Games formally unveiled the upcoming 70s-inspired sci-fi platform game, Headlander, back in E3 2016.
Previously announcing that it would be released this month, we now have the exact dates for its intended launch on the PS4 and PC and it's this coming July 26.
Headlander follows the adventures of a disfigured head as it unravels how it came to be in the first place and no, it's not gory. Instead, it's hours of seemingly pure nostalgic and euphoric gameplay, literally, as the game's design features some colorful combinations and explosive RGBs paying homage to the past era of discos and retro art styles — in the future. It's a sci-fi game after all, and it combines spaceships, rockets, robots, lasers, neon signs and AI with the vibrant lifestyle of the 70s.
Imagine Austin Powers fast forwarded to the future.
Humans are nowhere to be found, and as the trailer explains, people have uploaded their consciousness into robotic heads that can be fitted into any robotic body. If in some way these robotic humans get injured, they can just reupload themselves into another robot and maintain their eternal life.
But enough about the game's setting, and the narrative's just one of the many things that make the game seemingly awesome. What we're interested in is how Headlander introduces a unique form of gameplay.
Players are set in the, well ... heads of the main protagonist, as the game title suggests, and lands into the shoes of other interactive figures in the game. Basically, players can jump from one body to the next while navigating through a myriad of various stages.
Staying true to its platformer label, Headlander features some intricate side-scrolling level designs with the added obstacles of enemy robots shooting lasers at the player. Of course, players can easily switch from civilian bodies to these laser-equipped armors and harness the power of the current body suit they are possessing.
Headlander requires quick thinking in the face of endless lasers while at the same time offers other scenarios that call for some serious puzzle solving. For instance, some doors can only be unlocked by specific body suits.
In addition, if its 30-minute gameplay video holds true in the final release, Headlander allows players to unlock new skills for their rocket-powered head, offer side quest missions for additional skill points, a customizable character and hopefully, much, much more. Thirty minutes is just scratching the surface after all and usually, only covers the basics while withholding more content in store.
As such, Headlander's previews have been interesting, to say the least, and its unique gameplay, alongside a rather comical narrative and retro art style, looks very promising.
For more information, users may check out Headlander's corresponding pages on the PlayStation Store and Steam. Meanwhile, its newest story trailer may be viewed below:
