Indie developer Little Legendary has announced SHADE Protocol, a new 2D “cyber-fantasy” metroidvania game where music, code, and combat collide.

SHADE Protocol is in development for Windows PC (via Steam), with a release set for sometime next year, in 2026.

Here’s a rundown on the game, plus its reveal trailer:

SHADE Protocol is a 2D cyber-fantasy metroidvania where music, code, and combat collide. Swap between DAWN and SHADE forms to unleash devastating abilities, wield Instruments as weapons, and rewrite reality itself in a world on the brink of annihilation by the SHADE Protocol. The game introduces an interesting mechanic: the Protocols, thanks to them you will be able to encode your own playstyle, combining protocols and specialized code fragments, to alter your attacks, defenses, and abilities, but also recode enemies at your will, changing how they behave to allow you overcome the most dangerous threats.

Seamlessly switch between DAWN and SHADE modes, altering combat styles and gameplay dynamics. Wield Instruments, powerful code-based weaponry inspired by music, each serving a unique role in battle and exploration. Engage in high-speed, skill-based combat, parrying and countering enemies in a world that demands mastery. Explore vast, interconnected Bastions, where every discovery alters the fate of the war between SHADEs and Xaviors, and the all-consuming SHADE Protocol.

Features

• Dynamic Combat System – Mix precision melee combat with specialized Instruments, executing devastating combos, parries, and counters. Swap between DAWN and SHADE modes to adapt to different playstyles in real-time.
• UNISON System – Rewrite Reality – The world of SHADE Protocol exists as code. Wield it to manipulate events, relive key moments, and choose their ultimate outcome, shaping the fate of entire factions.
• Unique Defensive Mechanics – Perfectly timed parries and counters restore Echo, a vital energy source for powerful Instrument attacks and defensive maneuvers.
• Instruments – Weapons That Sing – Wield an arsenal of musical weapons, including the Twilight Spear, Sunrise Great Axe, and Midnight Chakram, each with distinct combat and exploration abilities.

The war is lost. The song is rewritten. Will you take the stage?