In an exciting development for retro gaming enthusiasts, Spanish developer Retro Sumus is set to launch their ambitious new project, Sovietborgs, through an IndieGoGo campaign on June 25. This 16-bit top-down run’n gun game represents a fascinating blend of classic gaming mechanics and alternative history storytelling, promising to deliver an authentic retro gaming experience across multiple classic platforms including the Sega Megadrive/Genesis, Dreamcast, and NeoGeo.
Set in a compelling alternate timeline where the Soviet empire emerged victorious from the Cold War, Sovietborgs puts players in command of a three-unit squad of cybernetic warriors. The game’s premise involves exploring a devastated world while eliminating various threats, including monsters and rebel factions that roam the landscape. Drawing inspiration from beloved classics like The Chaos Engine and Gauntlet, the game adopts a top-down perspective that promises to deliver intense action and strategic gameplay.
One of the most notable technical achievements of Sovietborgs lies in its visual presentation. The development team has employed pre-rendered graphics, utilizing techniques similar to those used in groundbreaking titles like Donkey Kong Country and Vectorman. This approach allows the game to push the boundaries of what’s possible on retro hardware while maintaining the authentic feel of classic 16-bit gaming.
The game’s audio experience draws inspiration from iconic strategy and action titles, particularly the Red Alert series and the Strike series (including Jungle Strike, Urban Strike, and Soviet Strike). This musical direction helps reinforce the game’s Soviet-themed alternate history setting while providing an engaging soundtrack that complements the action.
Variety in gameplay appears to be a key focus, with Sovietborgs featuring shoot ’em up-style bonus stages and challenging encounters with massive mutant bosses. This diversity in gameplay mechanics suggests a well-rounded experience that should keep players engaged throughout their playthrough.
Behind this ambitious project is Retro Sumus, a Spanish development team with a remarkable track record in the retro gaming scene. Founded in 2013, the team consists of professionals from various fields who share a common passion for exploring underutilized genres and concepts from gaming’s golden age. Their previous work includes Xenocider, a Dreamcast title released in January 2021 that paid homage to classics like Space Harrier and Sin & Punishment. Notably, Xenocider was the first new 3D game for the Dreamcast in over 15 years.
The development team’s credentials are further strengthened by their involvement in various other successful retro gaming projects. Team members have contributed to notable titles such as Pier Solar, Ghost Blade, and the Dreamcast versions of both Flashback and Fade to Black. The musical aspect of Sovietborgs is being handled by talented composers Juanjo Martín, known for his work as keyboardist and musical director for Morat, and Sebastián Abreu, whose previous works include Legend of the Four Winds, The Curse of Illmoore Bay, and Eyra the Crow Maiden.
What makes Sovietborgs particularly interesting is its commitment to authentic retro gaming experiences while spreading across multiple classic platforms. This multi-platform approach not only demonstrates the technical prowess of the development team but also ensures that the game will be accessible to a wider audience of retro gaming enthusiasts.
The game’s tagline, “Resistance is futile. The Sovietborgs are here to free you from your freedom!”captures the tongue-in-cheek nature of its alternate history premise while paying homage to classic gaming’s often outlandish storytelling. This approach suggests that while the game takes its technical execution seriously, it maintains a sense of fun and self-awareness that made many classic games so memorable.
As the retro gaming scene continues to evolve and grow, projects like Sovietborgs demonstrate that there’s still plenty of room for innovation within the constraints of classic gaming hardware. The upcoming IndieGoGo campaign will likely determine the scope and scale of the final product, but based on Retro Sumus’s track record and the ambitious nature of this project, Sovietborgs appears poised to make a significant impact in the retro gaming community.
