Embark on a heart-wrenching and poignant journey as a small, solitary, and fearless robot in search of his lost father.
Among the most captivating Metroidvanias to arrive in the new year, Super Roboy unquestionably stands out as a title to keep a particularly close eye on. This hand-drawn Metroidvania, set in a bleak, mutant-infested post-apocalyptic world, promises a visual and emotional journey that is well worth eagerly anticipating.
Created by the exceptionally talented young Dutch artist and tattooist Vincent Penning, Super Roboy is not only a visual feast—an artistic gem in its own right—but also a game of considerable depth and complexity in terms of its gameplay. Penning, whose passion for art has been deeply rooted in him since childhood, infuses the game with vibrant, striking colors, bringing life to a dark and foreboding world inhabited by bizarre creatures whose only purpose seems to be obstructing your every step and impeding your progress.
Yet, do not be fooled—what may initially seem like a simple premise for the main quest unfolds into a narrative of surprising depth. Far more than a mere vehicle for gameplay, the story becomes a true co-protagonist, intricately woven into the very fabric of the game, delivering poignant moments that are sure to resonate with even the most sensitive players.
Intrigued to learn more and discover what this promising creation has in store? If so, read on.
The Story of Vincent Penning and the Creation of Super Roboy
Vincent’s story is one of those rare, deeply moving tales that truly deserve to be told. It resonates on a personal level, helping us understand why a video game can often transcend its role as mere entertainment, becoming instead a mirror of our personal stories and the more intimate dimensions of our lives.
Vincent is a passionate and exceptionally talented tattoo artist, whose lifelong love for art—across all its forms, expressions, and manifestations—has profoundly shaped his journey. It is no mere coincidence that, alongside his professional path, he has long harbored a deep passion—and a quiet, yet steadfast, dream—of one day becoming a video game developer.
How did this second,, yet equally significant, passion take root? It all began with his father, who, from an early age, shared with Vincent a deep love for the world of video games. The two spent countless hours together, programming games on the Commodore Amiga. As Vincent grew, these two passions—tattooing and game development—remained central to his life. Even before becoming a professional tattoo artist, Vincent quietly hoped that one day he could unite these two passions, eventually becoming not just a game developer, but also a comic book artist and composer.
It was a beautiful, aspirational dream—one that he envisioned realizing, perhaps alongside his father, the very person who had ignited his love for gaming. Yet, everything changed a few years later when an unexpected and heartbreaking event reshaped Vincent’s life. The passing of his father, the figure who had been, since childhood, his unwavering source of inspiration, marked a profound turning point. This painful event led Vincent to reflect deeply, ultimately motivating him to honor his father’s memory by turning the shared dream they had into a reality. This was the catalyst that pushed him to create Super Roboy—a game born not only from his passion for art and storytelling but also as a heartfelt tribute to his father and the cherished moments they shared.
And so, Super Roboy was born—a deeply moving, poignant, and remarkably beautiful story that we felt compelled to share. It offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the soul of what is often dismissed as merely a “simple video game.“
A Touching Autobiographical Story of Discovery, Hope, and… Parenthood
We’re often told that robots are incapable of emotion, that empathy is something beyond the reach of their mechanical nature. But perhaps not all stories conform to this notion.
Launched on Kickstarter on September 30, where it ran a highly successful crowdfunding campaign reaching its funding goal, the game immediately stood out for two defining qualities: its art—undeniably Vincent’s greatest strength—and its narrative, a story woven with compelling, poignant themes and rich autobiographical touches.
Although the game’s main quest may seem simple and straightforward—a solitary, daring robot on a journey to find his father—it unfolds into a rich tapestry of profound themes, delicately interwoven with elements of Vincent’s own life and past. At its core lies the father figure, a pivotal presence in the stories of both Vincent and, with the author’s consent, what we might call his in-game counterpart: his robotic alter ego, the little Roboy.
Drawing inspiration from major works like Dante’s Inferno and classic sci-fi novels by Asimov and Heinlein, the game delves into moral questions surrounding humanity’s place in an increasingly technology-driven world. Yet, as the developer describes it, this is at its heart a “family story,“ one that intricately weaves together themes of identity, redemption, and the protagonist’s introspective journey toward self-discovery.
The narrative is brought to life through striking sci-fi illustrations that evoke the feel of comic book panels, interspersed with memories depicted as dioramic images and in-game dialogues that breathe life into this immersive world.
What to Expect from the Gameplay of Super Roboy
The gameplay of Super Roboy unfolds across twelve levels, with two additional stages dedicated to the final bosses, offering approximately ten hours to complete the main questline. Exploration takes center stage, with a non-linear structure that encourages backtracking, striking a delicate balance between rewarding curiosity and avoiding unnecessary tedium.
Particular care has been devoted to the combat system, which stands out for its variety, fluidity, and depth. Dynamic and adrenaline-fueled, the battles offer a high degree of customization, incorporating elements that keep the experience engaging and diverse without becoming excessively punishing. Central to this system are six unique status effects that Roboy can inflict on his enemies, complemented by an innovative feature known as the “enemy skill system.“
As the developer explains, this intriguing feature reimagines the traditional approach to obtaining upgrades. Each skill is tied to a specific enemy that must be defeated to unlock it. Once unlocked, players must locate a crystal and reach a designated base level to activate the upgrade.
In some instances, these skills are essential for advancing through the game world, while in others, they become critical for defeating powerful enemies that would otherwise be unbeatable with Roboy’s default abilities. Additionally, certain skills boost Roboy’s stats, unlock new offensive moves, or enable him to inflict status ailments on his foes.
Lastly, the game places considerable emphasis on puzzles, thoughtfully designed to provide a balanced level of challenge. These sections demand strategic thinking to solve but remain entirely optional. Successfully completing them rewards players with bonus items that, while valuable, are not essential for progressing through the main quest and can be skipped at the player’s discretion.
To avoid giving away too much or spoiling the surprises that Super Roboy has in store, we’ll stop here. Instead, here’s a brief preview of the key features you can look forward to:
- Learn Enemy Skills: Find and defeat enemies to learn a variety of skills, ranging from movement upgrades to acquiring different weapons.
- Explore: Immerse yourself in a richly interconnected post-apocalyptic world with sci-fi influences, where venturing off the beaten path is handsomely rewarded.
- Uncover Roboy’s Past: Follow an emotional story told through evocative comic book-style cutscenes, inspired by timeless classics like Dante’s Inferno and iconic sci-fi literature.
- Exploit Enemy Weaknesses: Master elements, inflict status effects, and unleash unique attacks to deal devastating blows—even to the toughest foes.
Roboy Welcomes You to his Enigmatic Post-Apocalyptic World
The wait is almost over. Super Roboy is set to launch on January 20, 2025. Developed by Vincent Penning and published by VP Games, the game will be available on PC via Steam. As for a potential console release, no information has been provided yet, with the developer neither confirming nor denying any plans in this regard.
For more updates, follow the game’s X account and stay tuned with us for all the latest news and our full review of Super Roboy on launch day.
Thank you for joining us. That’s all for now—until next time!
