Genopanic, the sequel to Mobirate Studio’sSpace Expedition, has been delayed. Players were supposed to hop back into the intergalactic venture on October 23, but according to a spokesperson for the developer, the release has been postponed, so they can deliver “the best state of the game at launch.“Genopanicwilllet players suit up and explore research station SIMBIRSKwith the ultimate goal of collecting mutant lab experiments.
Space Expedition, which was released 10 years ago, was the first introduction to the abandoned planet where a lone astronaut goes through empty space posts and alien caves. The game has been applauded for its art and mechanics as a 2D platformer, though some had qualms with the length of the game. Producer Anton Surkov told Game Rant in a recent interview how the two games connect and that players might have another chance to accompany the lonely astronaut.
Two Games, One Universe
According to Surkov,Space Expeditionwas “kind of a pen test.” The gameplay runs around 45 minutes but could be beaten in 30 minutes without much issue. Players have enjoyed it because of itsMetroidvania elementsand atmospheric feeling of isolation, to name a few, but have attributed their bittersweet feeling toSpace Expeditionbecause it felt more like a prologue rather than a fully fleshed game. That’s whereGenopanicsteps in. It is still Metroidvania-inspired, and Surkov revealed thatGenopanicgave a place for ideas that were left out ofSpace Expedition. He added that p[layers can also find Easter eggs in both games.
Both stories are independent but complement each other, revealing the world of the game more fully.
Both worlds exist in the same universe where all these strange events take place. We’re trying to make both stories close to each other and raise even more interesting questions for the players, in order to answer them in the last next part. That’s the plan.
New Companions
InGenopanic, players won’t be so lonely. They will be accompanied by a friendly AI pup named LAIK. LAIKhelps guide the player by providing hintsthroughout the journey. But, on the same spectrum, there’s VOLGA, which stands for Volumetric General Assistant, who is the Chief Supervisor of the station and is a “strict boss” who manages everything that the astronaut is exploring. This contrasts withSpace Expeditionwhere players only interacted with objects to help solve levels and monsters that were meant to be defeated.
LAIK will help and guide the player, sharing emotions from what’s going on around him, while for VOLGA the main character is an uncontrollable and unruly object on the station. You will have to try your best to gain her trust. You might even succeed in melting her electronic heart, in a way.
Genopanicwill take players back to classic pixel-art platformer games. The subtle sounds of something drifting in space, distant water leaks, low growls, and echoed footsteps will remind players that they are in a faraway place. Avid fans ofMetroidvania classicsmight be able to add another title to their list ifGenopanicholds up to whatSpace Expeditiondid for the subgenre.
