Get in touch
hello@emberloop.games
Studio
Manila · Remote
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itch.io
Discord
Bluesky
Get in touch
hello@emberloop.games
Studio
Manila · Remote
Steam
itch.io
Discord
Bluesky
Get in touch
hello@emberloop.games
Studio
Manila · Remote
Steam
itch.io
Discord
Bluesky
Metroidvania
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Ironwyrm
Ironwyrm
Ironwyrm
Ride a decommissioned bio-drake through the vertical slums of a corporate arcology — a metroidvania where the map opens because something living decides to carry you.
Ride a decommissioned bio-drake through the vertical slums of a corporate arcology — a metroidvania where the map opens because something living decides to carry you.
Ride a decommissioned bio-drake through the vertical slums of a corporate arcology — a metroidvania where the map opens because something living decides to carry you.
Publisher
Halcyon Press
Halcyon Press
Year
2025
2025
Build time
14 months
14 months
Role
World Design · Art · Creature Systems
World Design · Art · Creature Systems
Deliverables
PC & console release · Photo mode · New Game+
PC & console release · Photo mode · New Game+
Recognition
The Grid Awards · Nominee (Artistic Achievement)
The Grid Awards · Nominee (Artistic Achievement)
/ 01 — The pitch
A tower you unlock with trust, not keycards.
A tower you unlock with trust, not keycards.
A tower you unlock with trust, not keycards.
Halcyon Press came to us with a pitch document and a hard problem: build a metroidvania where progression comes from a relationship with a living machine rather than ability pickups. No double-jump gate, no grapple gate — an arcology that opens up because a salvaged bio-drake decided you were worth carrying.
Halcyon Press came to us with a pitch document and a hard problem: build a metroidvania where progression comes from a relationship with a living machine rather than ability pickups. No double-jump gate, no grapple gate — an arcology that opens up because a salvaged bio-drake decided you were worth carrying.
That meant the drake had to read as a character before it read as a traversal tool. We built the bonding system first, greyboxed the tower around it, and only painted a single surface once the loop felt right in the hands.
That meant the drake had to read as a character before it read as a traversal tool. We built the bonding system first, greyboxed the tower around it, and only painted a single surface once the loop felt right in the hands.
02 / Production
Creature-first world building.
Creature-first world building.
Creature-first world building.
Every route up the arcology exists because the drake makes it possible — selected shots from the bonding prototype to the final districts.
Every route up the arcology exists because the drake makes it possible — selected shots from the bonding prototype to the final districts.
/ 01 · Drake design
/ 02 · Bonding prototype
/ 03 · Arcology greybox
/ 04 · District painting
/ 05 · Launch build
They built the drake as a character first and a vehicle second. That order is why it works.
They built the drake as a character first and a vehicle second. That order is why it works.
They built the drake as a character first and a vehicle second. That order is why it works.
Maya Lien
Executive Producer · Halcyon Press
03 / Launch
By the numbers.
By the numbers.
By the numbers.
14mo
14mo
14mo
Production, greybox to gold
26
26
26
Hand-authored districts
91
91
91
Metacritic at launch
1
1
1
Grid Awards nomination
/ Next project →
Orbital Decay
Orbital Decay
Orbital Decay
Simulation
05 / Get in touch
Let’s build
something
playable.
Let’s build
something
playable.
Let’s build
something
playable.
A game, a world, a system that needs to feel right — we’d love to hear about it. One reply away.
A game, a world, a system that needs to feel right — we’d love to hear about it. One reply away.
Replying within 24 hours · Manila · Remote