In the wake of Hollow Knight: Silksong, the metroidvania genre has been waiting for a newcomer to perfectly combine the bullish yet rewarding grinding system of a cosy platformer.
The format is easily one of the easiest to enjoy, getting the challenge of a tricky game while enjoying fantastical vibes that are kind on the eyes and ears.
Yet since Silksong – the leader in the genre that broke into mainstream gaming as a blockbuster follow-up to the original trendsetter – we’ve long been awaiting a successor.
Now, one indie dev has created a perfect platform jumper that combines everything that we love about Hollow Knight with the whimsy of Ori and the Will of the Wisps.
Tootum is the fantastical metroidvania we’ve been after since Silksong
Sticking to the norm, Tootum’s cutesy protagonist is a mixture of a haunted soul and a snuggly, beady-eyed magician.
Created by a solo dev, Douglas Oliveira, the pixelated vibe is flawless, throwing us back to a retro Mario era with a touch of Fable, thanks to backgrounds dipped in a colourful medieval fantasy palette – and for good reason.
Set to release on Steam on May 27, Oliveira teased on social media that he is working on ports to old-school handheld consoles that will really put this mystery-solving side-scroller into its place.
But visuals and vibe aside, it proves just as tricky and rewarding as even the biggest studio-developed dungeon crawler.
At its core, Tootum put a vulnerable swordsman on a quest to unlock his true potential and take down increasingly difficult foes to escape certain death.
The story, filled with choices that will affect the overall outcome (choosing between three endings depending on your path), is bolstered by ability progression, where upgrades will significantly change your engagement methods.
“Tootum doesn’t reset your journey – it transforms it. Progression carries weight. Farming has purpose. And each attempt leaves you more prepared to go further,” the Steam description reads.
“Resources that strengthen your evolution. Decisions that impact your progression. Natural replayability, without artificiality. The story won’t be handed to you ready-made. It’s hidden in details, settings, and encounters. You’ll piece it all together.”
Having released a demo back in 2024, reviews have applauded the ‘smooth’ movement and ‘funny’ swordplay.
While the price has yet to be revealed (with Tootum still in its Wishlist stage), Oliveira said there will be a launch-week discount to give prospective fans a chance to get on board early.
Previous games released by Oliveira have been priced at less than £6, though, which makes it quite a bargain for how much action it promises.
Steam is the perfect hub for these cosy games, and the metroidvania genre is getting some fantastic new additions without much expense.
