The recent Indie World Showcase had a host of surprises for Nintendo Switch fans. The reveals of Fez and Oxenfree II for the platform were attention-grabbing. However, neither was the most shocking announcement. In truth, that title goes to Getsu Fuma Den: Undying Moon. While this segment blended into the larger presentation, this game is significant because it comes from Konami.
Many players expected Konami’s next gaming move would be a return to blockbuster AAA publishing with either Metal Gear or Silent Hill. The hypothetical revival of both franchises has been consistently rumored and eagerly anticipated by fans. However, it turns out that Konami’s next foray into the industry is actually Getsu Fuma Den. This isn’t a random 2D hack-and-slash — it’s a follow-up to a forgotten Famicom title.
Click the button below to start this article in quick view.
The original Getsu Fuma Den launched exclusively in Japan in 1987. It’s a genre-bending, cult classic that influenced the NES-era Konami titles that followed. Of course, its region exclusivity and age has led to this title being largely lost to time. In many respects, the original game’s status and Undying Moon‘s upcoming release parallel Famicom Detective Club. Like that pair of unlocalized Famicom titles, Getsu Fuma Den: Undying Moon is exposing modern fans to important historical releases.
However, the analogy is largely conceptual as Undying Moon takes far more liberties with its source material than Famicom Detective Club. The new Getsu Fuma Den title will incorporate roguelike elements on top of its lavish art style to make this a decidedly modern experience. From the reveal trailer, it is also unclear if the game will incorporate the overworld exploration or dungeon crawling elements from the Famicom original either. It appears as though Undying Moon will be doubling down on the 2D action-platforming element, with a dose of roguelike and Metroidvania flair.
Luckily though, the original Getsu Fuma Den will no longer be lost to time like many other region-exclusives from that era. The Famicom original is being re-released as a bonus for PC players who buy into the Early Access release of Undying Moon next month. Hopefully, the classic Getsu Fuma Den will come to Nintendo Switch when the full game releases there in 2022.
Regardless, Undying Moon looks compelling in its own right. The art style is evocative of Okami and leans into traditional Japanese artistry. The animation already looks very fluid too, which seems to be backed up by a solid combat system. Ultimately, the game does seem to be traveling the well-worn action-roguelike path that games such as Dead Cells and Hades have blazed in recent years. Regardless, the rich history behind Undying Moon and the polish it already exhibits point to the title being a welcome addition to the genre.
Of course, the history behind Getsu Fuma Den is certainly driving its appeal. It’s a geeky and niche revitalization of a completely overlooked retro experience. That alone is exciting. The added context of this being a Konami game, though, really seals the deal. The publisher’s squandering of its rich history during its modern dissolution has been morbidly fascinating. Any move Konami makes to keep a foot in the gaming industry now is sure to draw headlines.
Getsu Fuma Den‘s release could also signal hope for Konami. After all, Undying Moon is a joint effort with developer GuruGuru. This could telegraph a potential willingness to work collaboratively to revive dormant IP. If this is the case, it isn’t a leap to suggest that a series like Castlevania could finally receive a new entry due to a similar partnership. In fact, the real narrative of Getsu Fuma Den may not be the game itself, but what its very existence could mean for the company moving forward.
About The Author