The game, developed by Aquatic Moon Games under the visionary leadership of its founder, Trent Kaniuga, pays homage to and draws direct inspiration from the Twilight Monk book series, authored by Kaniuga himself.
You likely don’t need an introduction to Trent Kaniuga and his profound impact on the gaming world. A versatile artist, particularly renowned as a concept artist, content creator, and educator, Kaniuga has contributed his talents to an impressive array of projects, showcasing his exceptional skills in art design. Among his notable works, he served as a character designer and environment concept artist for Diablo III, worked on environment concept art and spray artwork for Overwatch, illustrated for Hearthstone, and contributed to League of Legends, Fortnite, Burning Crusade, and many more. With an extensive career in the video game industry, he has held esteemed positions at renowned companies such as Blizzard, Riot, and Capcom, to name just a few. Indeed, he is an artist whose reputation precedes him.
However, many may not know that Kaniuga is also a talented author. From one of his most celebrated literary creations springs forth his latest project, which he has both penned and directed. We are referring to Twilight Monk, a unique and captivating fantasy kung fu adventure distinguished by an intriguing hybrid of Metroidvania and RPG gameplay mechanics. Join us as we delve into all you need to know and what to expect from this promising project.
Restarting from scratch, yet armed with the experience, portfolio, and self-awareness of a recognized and established author
For Trent Kaniuga, working as an artist at prestigious studios such as Riot, Blizzard, and Capcom was undoubtedly a formative and rewarding experience. It allowed him not only to sharpen his skills and expand his knowledge but also to cultivate an even broader understanding of the gaming industry’s inner workings—building on an already impressive foundation of expertise. However, as Kaniuga himself often reflects, the moment for change had arrived—a time to embark on a new journey and write the next chapter in both his professional and personal life.
Driven by this desire, he made the bold decision to sever ties with the industry giants he once worked alongside, choosing to navigate uncharted waters by founding his own independent game studio. It was a bold and daring leap, born of the unwavering drive of an artist who, despite already leaving an indelible imprint on the gaming world, felt that his creative journey was far from complete—and we wholeheartedly agree.
Thus, after years of contributing to some of the most iconic titles in the global gaming landscape, Kaniuga set off on his own, establishing Aquatic Moon Studios in 2012. Originally conceived as a boutique art house providing contract illustration and concept art services for video games, the studio has since shifted its focus towards full game development. Currently, Aquatic Moon is hard at work on its second major project, Twilight Monk—a captivating adventure game that elegantly weaves together Metroidvania and RPG gameplay elements, based on Kaniuga’s appreciated book series.
An All-Star Studio
Assembling such prominent figures from the indie gaming industry within a small studio was no small feat, yet it appears that Kaniuga has achieved this remarkable feat. Below, we provide a brief overview of the five talented members of the Aquatic Moon team, highlighting key details about their backgrounds and notable projects they have contributed to—excluding, of course, the founder, Trent Kaniuga, who has already been thoroughly introduced.
- Matt Fitzgerald: A renowned game designer specializing in narrative design, Matt is meticulous about the finer details and showcases his critical thinking skills through powerful storytelling and thoughtful analysis. A multimedia artist, musician, composer, and the creative mind behind the acclaimed 2D action-platforming adventure SAVAGE: The Shard of Gosen, he is entrusted with programming the gameplay in Twilight Monk.
- Nathan Buckley: An accomplished developer celebrated for his creativity and versatility, Nathan has contributed his talents to a myriad of projects, spanning from indie gems to AAA blockbusters. Notable titles he has worked on include Beyond a Steel Sky, Sea of Thieves, Spirit Hunters: Infinite Horde, and Smash Punks, among others. Within Twilight Monk, he takes on the role of system programmer.
- Anthony Enright: The founder of the indie studio Windybeard, Anthony is a remarkably talented and prolific developer who has enriched the indie gaming landscape with an array of intriguing titles, including Sweezy Gunner, Geo, Dreamstones, Scud Frenzy, Puzzle Plunder, RagTag, and Galactic Mining Corp. Furthermore, he co-founded Creature Cauldron, with which he released the rogue-lite action game Spirit Hunters Infinite Horde. He currently takes on the role of lead gameplay designer for Twilight Monk.
- Amy Summers: Last, but by no means least, is the dynamic multimedia artist and part-time programmer, Amy Summers. A young talent with an immense passion for storytelling and world-building, she plays a pivotal role in Twilight Monk as an animator, working closely alongside Trent Kaniuga to bring the game’s intricate animations to life.
Now that you’ve a clearer understanding of the creative minds behind Twilight Monk, it’s time to delve deeper into the project itself—exploring its rich narrative, the gameplay features that shape its world, and the thrilling adventures that await within this enigmatic and shadowy realm.
The Last Survivor of a Legendary Lineage
Before delving into the narrative, let us first establish a preliminary premise that addresses one of the most pressing questions and uncertainties surrounding the tale of Twilight Monk.
No, reading the novels is not strictly necessary or a mandatory prerequisite for fully grasping, understanding, or appreciating the video game. Those who choose to approach the game without prior familiarity with the story conveyed in the book series will find themselves warmly welcomed and can confidently enjoy this new narrative crafted by Trent Kaniuga without hesitation.
That said, as the game’s release is still some time away and it will take a while before Raziel Tenza’s new adventures come to life, we nonetheless recommend immersing yourselves in three specific works penned by Kaniuga. These include the 2021 anthology featuring two graphic novels titled Twilight Monk, the illustrated novel Twilight Monk: Secrets of Kung Fulio from 2020, and the illustrated novel Twilight Monk: Return of the Ancients from 2021. Engaging with these works will deepen your understanding of the story’s origins and the protagonist’s background while also unveiling potential cameos and various references that intricately connect the game to Kaniuga’s earlier literary creations.
From the few details that have surfaced, Twilight Monk invites players to embody none other than Raziel Tenza, the last remnant of an ancient race of Kung Fu warriors, embarking on a globe-spanning quest to recover the three rings of the Triskelion and thwart the summoning of a formidable planetary evil that threatens to consume everything.
While the story is grounded in simple premises, it is undeniably captivating, infused with folklore and magic. Its strength lies in a rich tapestry of dark imagery, exquisitely reflected not only in the game’s stunning environments and its diverse bestiary but also in the very atmosphere that resonates with the evocative pathos found in Kaniuga’s novels.
The question remains whether the game’s narrative will match the high quality of the novels. However, we are confident in Kaniuga’s undoubted writing abilities.
Metroidvania or RPG? A Harmonious Blend of Both
Compared to their debut title, Aquatic Moon Games has made significant strides in developing Twilight Monk. This evolution is evident not only in the game’s striking aesthetics but also in the decision to switch to Unreal Engine for their second project. This choice has allowed the team to breathe new life into their artistic vision, significantly elevating the quality and overall execution of the in-game animations.
However, we know that one cannot simply judge a book by its cover. Thus, Aquatic Moon’s primary mission extends far beyond merely ensuring that Twilight Monk is visually stunning; it is equally important for it to be enjoyable and engaging to play. Achieving this required more than simply replicating the successful formulas of established titles within their respective genres. The team sought to experiment and uncover something fresh that would imbue Twilight Monk with its own distinct identity and true personality.
This ambition led to the intriguing decision to craft a 2.5D game world, employing a gameplay formula that transcends the boundaries of a single genre. Instead, it artfully blends elements from two beloved video game genres: Metroidvania and RPG. This fusion presents unique approaches to combat and exploration, each drawing upon the defining traits of its respective genre while delivering an entirely unique experience.
Achieving a successful result is no easy task, especially given the multitude of industry giants that have redefined market standards. Therefore, the developers’ foremost goal was to thoroughly dissect the Metroidvania and RPG formulas to understand how to seamlessly integrate them into their title. Their first insight was to bifurcate exploration, delineating it into two distinct components: world exploration and area exploration. For the former, they adopted a conventional RPG approach, focusing on 3/4 angled perspective to navigate the world of Speria. This allows cities to feel alive and vibrant, offering players ample opportunities to engage in simple yet clever activities, such as resting to regain health, trading materials for resources with merchants, and indulging in charming mini-games.
Conversely, the latter aspect represents the more traditional Metroidvania gameplay style, characterized by meticulous area exploration and dungeon-crawling, wherein players must vanquish foes encountered along their quest. To ensure this gameplay phase remains equally captivating and rewarding, players will gradually unlock specific abilities that empower them to navigate diverse terrains, access previously unreachable areas, and unravel the puzzles that stand in their way.
Equally noteworthy is the extensive array of mystical arts at the protagonist’s disposal, in addition to their loyal Phantom Pillar. The developers have intentionally kept details about this feature under wraps to maintain an air of mystery, but as you may have guessed, it represents a significant part of our combat potential and enriches the gaming experience, rooted in the artistry of kung fu.
Aquatic Moon: The Future of Twilight Monk is in Your Hands
The future of Twilight Monk in the video game industry is still unwritten. However, the foundation established thus far, along with the glimpses we’ve seen, certainly fuels optimism for the game’s potential.
As is our custom, however, we prefer to withhold any final judgments until we’ve had the opportunity to experience the game firsthand. Only then can we offer a clearer perspective and determine whether this intriguing blend of Metroidvania and RPG truly hits the mark, as we hope.
Currently, Twilight Monk does not have an official release date. The game is scheduled for release on PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch, with possible expansions to PlayStation and Xbox consoles—likely contingent on the reception it receives from players.
For further updates, stay tuned and visit the game’s website and X account for the latest news and announcements regarding Trent Kaniuga’s latest creative odyssey.
That’s all for now. Until next time!
