In Search of Redemption!
A few months ago, we hinted at—and, in a sense, promised—that the journey of EXIL, the upcoming post-apocalyptic, anime-styled Metroidvania created by solo developer Napat Saeung, was far from over. Today, September 23, more than a year after the initial Kickstarter campaign’s unfortunate failure, the developer is thrilled to announce that his project is finally ready to make a comeback with the launch of a new campaign, albeit with some significant changes.
As noted on the crowdfunding campaign page, this time the project does not come with an ambitious funding goal; instead, it is set at a mere $1—a target that has already been surpassed. You might be wondering about this choice. The reason, as explained by Napat himself in the comments section of the campaign, arises from the cancellation of the prior agreement with composer Kenichiro Suehiro for the soundtrack—originally budgeted at $50,000. The two have amicably chosen to part ways, prompting the developer to lower the funding target and shift focus toward potential stretch goals.
Another significant change, as you might have gathered, involves the soundtrack, which, barring any unforeseen developments, will not feature Suehiro’s contributions. This necessitates an increased effort and a greater workload for the developer. It’s a challenging yet unavoidable transition that, as showcased in the new trailer, bestows a distinctly different tone, style, and atmosphere upon Napat’s creation.
That said, the crowdfunding campaign is already making waves. Within less than an hour of its launch, it has raised $2,693 from over 100 backers—a promising start, especially in comparison to the previous campaign, which garnered only $11,822 from 370 backers over more than 30 days.
Would you like to become an integral part of Napat Saeung’s journey and contribute to the next chapter of EXIL? By supporting the Kickstarter campaign, you can select the tier that best suits you and play a pivotal role in bringing the project to life. A variety of enticing rewards awaits, from the “Harmony” tier—which grants access to the soundtrack and digital artbook, along with the core rewards (a digital copy of EXIL, your name in the credits as a Backer, digital wallpaper, and an exclusive Discord role)—to the “Early Bird” tier, offering exclusive access to the beta and a demo set to arrive next year.
Unfortunately, EXIL does not yet have a confirmed release date. The game is planned for release on PC via Steam, with potential console versions contingent upon the achievement of the campaign’s stretch goals.
For the latest updates on the progress of the Kickstarter campaign, be sure to follow Mystic Clockwork Studio’s X account for upcoming announcements.
That’s all for now. Stay tuned for more!
