Basti Games’ Mushroomvania is set to make a comeback with a new Kickstarter campaign, stronger and more determined than even before.
As both press and players—and more importantly, as fellow human beings— we genuinely feel a pang of sorrow when we see a project, one built with significant investment, effort, and passion, fail to reach its goal despite strong initial promise. Such outcomes often lead creators to reconsider their approach, sometimes resulting in downsizing or, in the worst cases, giving up altogether.
This unfortunate fate has frequently befallen independent game studios and first-time solo developers who, despite their exceptional efforts, don’t always reap the rewards of their hard work. The same concern hovered over Sebastian—better known as Basti, the Swedish solo developer behind the Lone Fungus series. Following the warm reception of the first installment, Basti was eager to launch a prequel that, despite its numerical title hinting at a sequel, aimed to drastically reinvent the artistic, stylistic, and gameplay elements with a more nostalgic and old-school twist.
This bold move promised a complete overhaul of Lone Fungus 2, but it also came with risks that unfortunately weren’t fully anticipated. Despite using the same Kickstarter approach as the first game, Basti soon realized that, despite a positive initial reception, the campaign wasn’t generating the momentum of its predecessor. The fears proved true: despite a promising start, the Kickstarter campaign for Lone Fungus 2 fell short of its funding goal.
Such a setback could easily dishearten anyone, including Basti himself, who took time to reflect and decide on the best course of action. However, as the saying goes, failure often serves as the first step towards learning and growth. Embracing this lesson, Basti has leveraged the experience to enhance the project, rebranding it with a new name and identity and adding new features. With these improvements, he is preparing for a relaunch of the campaign, scheduled for the end of 2024.
Failure is a lesson, not a reason to give up
Embracing failure is not a fault. It is, however, misguided to view failure as a definitive end, devoid of any possibility for redemption. Rather than seeing failure as a final omen, it should be recognized as an opportunity for transformation, representing the first step toward future success. Only by understanding the causes of failure and identifying alternative solutions can one turn failure into a new chance for achievement.
Often, when evaluating a project that has not reached its intended goals, there is a tendency to dwell exclusively on its shortcomings, which we often term “failure.” Yet, even in the case of the Kickstarter campaign for Lone Fungus 2, despite falling short of the desired outcome, there were significant positives. Foremost among these was the support of 768 backers, whose tangible appreciation underscored the value of Basti’s efforts throughout this challenging journey.
Another key takeaway, as Basti himself emphasizes, is that failure doesn’t have to be the end. In fact, it often marks the dawn of a new chapter—an opportunity to learn, adapt, and return stronger. For Basti, this setback was a chance to identify missteps, correct them, and avoid similar pitfalls in the future. One of the first lessons learned was realizing that the game’s title didn’t fully reflect its concept, leading to a misleading or, at the very least, unclear impression of what the new project was meant to be.
Basti also gained valuable insights into his marketing and promotional strategies. The campaign had focused heavily on graphics and basic gameplay, while giving less attention to what we believe is one of the sequel’s most exciting: the new and intriguing features Basti is developing for the protagonist—abilities that are poised to significantly enrich the gaming experience in this spin-off.
As Basti shared in a recent Kickstarter update, this experience has been a profound learning journey: “Thank you so much for your support. I’ve learned a lot from this experience, and while I wish the project had been funded this time around so I could focus on delivering the game to you as soon as possible, I believe this was meant to happen. I just need to work harder and make a better game!”
With these lessons in hand and a renewed sense of purpose, Basti is ready to pour unprecedented energy into his project. We’re confident that this new beginning will breathe fresh vitality and a never-before-seen spirit into his work.
Will the new concept and gameplay formula achieve the hoped-for results?
Can you guess what impressed us most about Basti, even before exploring his project or appreciating his development skills? It was his determination, his remarkable willpower, and the courage that defines him. This courage shone through not only in his response to the setback of the Lone Fungus 2 Kickstarter campaign but also in his bold ideas—instead of offering players just another rehash of the first installment, he chose to create a game that, like its creator, has evolved. It’s a daring and risky decision, starting with the overall aesthetic, which abandons the hand-drawn style for a nostalgic 16-bit look. As mentioned, this is a potentially high-risk move, but if executed well, it could not only captivate retro gaming enthusiasts but also align perfectly with the core concept of Lone Fungus: Melody of Spores.
Naturally, this journey is far from easy. Renaming the project was just the first of many challenges Basti will face in the coming months. The next crucial step is to gauge player reactions to this sudden stylistic shift, which will give the sequel a distinctly different visual identity.
And then there’s the gameplay, which we’re eager to see where he’s headed. While it will retain its Metroidvania essence, significant changes are on the horizon—in world-building, level design, and the depth of its combat mechanics, featuring an 8-directional, Castlevania-inspired combat system. We hope Basti has carefully addressed the shortcomings of the first installment—such as the need for more diverse fauna and a more impactful use of the protagonist’s mushroom abilities—to deliver a richer, deeper, and more complex experience.
Set thousands of years before the events of the first installment, Lone Fungus: Melody of Spores invites us to step into the shoes of Greencap’s ancestor. In this ancient era, the mushroom tribes are on the brink of extinction, torn apart by a mythical creature known as the Spirit Beast. Our quest is to fulfill an ancient prophecy and become the “Hiertan,“ a cultural leader destined to unite the tribes and confront the Spirit Beast together.
Just like its predecessor, Lone Fungus: Melody of Spores is a sprawling Metroidvania set in a mushroom-themed world, featuring non-linear exploration, a highly customizable combat system, and a world rich with secrets, mysteries, and treasure chests, all woven together with rich environmental storytelling and a deep, well-crafted mushroom lore.
Serving as a true prequel, Melody of Spores takes place countless years before the events of Lone Fungus. It promises to expand on the original game’s lore, providing insight into the once-flourishing tribal mushroom civilization that ultimately met a tragic end, thereby adding new layers of history and depth to the world we’ve come to know.
Coming soon to PC via Steam, Lone Fungus: Melody of Spores is gearing up for its Kickstarter launch. To stay updated, follow Basti Games on X or add the campaign to your favorites so you’ll be notified as soon as it goes live.
Thank you for joining us today, and we wish Sebastian the very best as he embarks on this exciting journey.
That’s all for now. Until next time!
