A Whimsical Journey: "The Eternal Life of Goldman" Revives Classic Platformers

There's a certain charm to expertly crafted side-scrolling platformers, a genre that's often looked to for a dose of nostalgia. While many developers seek to innovate by blending in mechanics from other genres, there's still space for games that hark back to the classics. Enter "The Eternal Life of Goldman", a visually stunning platformer unveiled at the recent THQ Nordic Showcase.

The game immediately captivates with its striking visuals, drawing inspiration from ancient fables. It's arguably one of the most visually impressive platformers in recent memory. The newly released gameplay trailer showcases the game's stunning visuals, but a preview event offered a deeper look into the intricate details and varied environments. Every aspect of "The Eternal Life of Goldman" is meticulously crafted by hand, with THQ Nordic producer Andreas Schmiedecker confirming the absence of computer-generated art or AI assistance.

Despite the exotic and captivating backdrops, the protagonist is a surprising and unassuming figure: a bespectacled elderly gentleman sporting a brown cardigan and cane. While the rationale behind this choice and the elderly fellow's involvement in "hunting down a deity on a tropical island ravaged by a disaster" (the game's core narrative) remains shrouded in mystery, he's clearly not your average old man – he moves with a speed reminiscent of Sonic the Hedgehog.

His cane serves as the game's central mechanic, capable of being upgraded with new abilities that enhance both traversal and combat. Players will navigate challenging levels, engage in skirmishes with rank-and-file enemies, and confront multi-stage boss fights. The overall gameplay experience is described as "classic", echoing the golden age of platformers. Players can bounce on enemy heads to dispatch them, harking back to titles like "Donkey Kong Country". However, "The Eternal Life of Goldman" ditches the backtracking and corpse running often associated with Metroidvania-style games.

"We want to take you back to the 16-bit era of platformers," Schmiedecker explains, citing "Donkey Kong Country", "Mega Man X", and "Super Castlevania" as inspirations.

While a release date or launch window remains unconfirmed, "The Eternal Life of Goldman" has firmly established itself as a visually impressive contender in the upcoming PC gaming scene.