North American indie studio Little Legendary is pleased to announce their debut title SHADE Protocol will be released on PC in 2026. Discover a 2D cyber-fantasy Metroidvania where music, code, and combat collide. Swap between DAWN and SHADE forms to unleash devastating abilities, wield Instruments as weapons, and rewrite reality itself in a world on the brink of annihilation by the SHADE Protocol. The game introduces an interesting mechanic: the Protocols, thanks to them you will be able to encode your own playstyle, combining protocols and specialized code fragments, to alter your attacks, defenses, and abilities, but also recode enemies at your will, changing how they behave to allow you overcome the most dangerous threats.
Seamlessly switch between DAWN and SHADE modes, altering combat styles and gameplay dynamics. Wield Instruments, powerful code-based weaponry inspired by music, each serving a unique role in battle and exploration. Engage in high-speed, skill-based combat, parrying and countering enemies in a world that demands mastery. Explore vast, interconnected Bastions, where every discovery alters the fate of the war between SHADEs and Xaviors, and the all-consuming SHADE Protocol.
“As our first game as a studio, we’re trying to make something different and unique, while also being a love letter to those titles that led the way of our craft. Innovating is the core purpose of Little Legendary; expanding on the greatness that came before us and leaving something that inspires those that come after.
And so, we introduce SHADE Protocol. A journey through a bright, beautiful, dying world that wants to be explored, cared for, saved. If you’ve ever really wanted to “break” a game literally in half, this one’s for you. It’s a game about bending and breaking the rules of a world made entirely out of code and music; like if Megaman X met The Matrix. We hope to take you on a grand adventure full of all the songs we humans left behind in a universe inherited by our creations.” – Kendall Quinones, Game Director.
KEY FEATURES
– Dynamic Combat System – Mix precision melee combat with specialized Instruments, executing devastating combos, parries, and counters. Swap between DAWN and SHADE modes to adapt to different playstyles in real-time.
– UNISON System – Rewrite Reality – The world of SHADE Protocol exists as code. Wield it to manipulate events, relive key moments, and choose their ultimate outcome, shaping the fate of entire factions.
– Unique Defensive Mechanics – Perfectly timed parries and counters restore Echo, a vital energy source for powerful Instrument attacks and defensive maneuvers.- Instruments – Weapons That Sing – Wield an arsenal of musical weapons, including the Twilight Spear, Sunrise Great Axe, and Midnight Chakram, each with distinct combat and exploration abilities.
-Press Release
Shade Protocol will release in 2026 on PC.
