Ereban: Shadow Legacy, a stealth video game developed by the small studio Baby Robot Games from Barcelona, has arrived with great anticipation on Steam, Xbox Series, and PS5 throughout 2024, and already has a physical edition from Selecta Play. Despite receiving positive reviews praising its innovative approach, the studio has announced its closure after the launch, citing burnout and challenges during development.
It’s no longer enough to make a good game
The game director, Alejandro Márquez, has highlighted the creative freedom that Ereban offers, allowing players to tackle challenges in diverse ways. The gameplay is reminiscent of iconic titles like Metal Gear Solid V and Splatoon, as players can immerse themselves in the shadows to climb and seek alternative routes. This mechanic, combined with both linear and open levels, provides an experience that promotes reflection rather than constant action.
Despite the initial success and appreciation of the genre by a niche of players, Márquez acknowledges that stealth faces challenges in a market that favors more dynamic and rewarding experiences. In his own words, “the stealth genre is not one of the ones that works best currently.” Despite this, the studio continued its work as an act of love for the genre, providing an experience that appeals to those players looking for a thoughtful title after the saturation of more frantic games.
The ambition of the studio was to offer variety and originality at every level, although this brought significant technical challenges. As the developers, fatigued, made the difficult decision to close Baby Robot Games, they took with them the hope of having made a significant contribution to the world of video games. Meanwhile, Ereban: Shadow Legacy offers fans an opportunity to immerse themselves in its unique gameplay, although it is not necessarily designed for the mass audience.