
Hop, skip, and jump with Lyra as she journeys back to her homeland in this retro adventure. With harp in hand, no foe is a match for Lyra and her animal friends.
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Deep within the Marigold Meadows held the Radiant Lily, a mythical herb capable of dispelling any ailment. Upon finding it, Lyra ventures through Florian to deliver the herb to the kingdom of Clerica. Leap through 5 areas in this 2D platformer adventure and face off against foes and bosses alike by using Lyra's harp based attacks.
With her trusty spin jump, Lyra is able to weave through enemies without taking contact damage whilst she journeys back home. By diving onto slopes, Lyra can gain a burst of speed when she jumps.
Run (C by default / Double tap forward or backward): Lyra enters a run state that is faster than her usual walk speed. Running and then jumping can cross larger gaps compared a regular jump.
Spin Jump (Up + Jump / Down + Jump): Jumps higher than usual and deals light damage to enemies. Ignores contact damage from enemies.
Dive (Down + Jump while in the air): Quickly moves downwards and passes through contact damage from enemies. Land on slopes to quickly slide down.
Dive Jump (Dive onto a slope and then Spin Jump): Leaps across greater distances at top speed. Perform a second jump after landing to conserve momentum.
Power Cut (Keep the attack button pressed down after an attack): Gathers up energy to release an attack with more range and damage. Charge is lost upon getting hit.
Call (A by default / Up + Attack): Uses Muse Points (MP) to cast ranged attacks with Lyra's familiars. Use left swap and right swap (S and D by default) to switch between these moves.

Joining Lyra are her loyal animal friends, Lepus, Felis, and Columba. By using Muse Points (MP) she is able to call upon her allies and combat foes who are beyond her reach. Although Lyra's MP pool is modest, she can refill her MP by landing physical attacks.

Featuring the iconic LCD palette from the 1990s. Choose between 15 color palettes to change a playthrough from a calm sunset to a deep midnight. Adding to this is an 8-bit classic soundtrack to complement the familiar green screen aesthetic. Strive for S ranks and quicker times with a refreshing new look for the game.
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Languages: English
Reviews
[h1]Concise Game Reviews: "Li'l Red"[/h1] [i](Scroll down for the longer version)[/i] [table] [tr] [th][b]Game Value:[/b][/th] [th]✅ Recommended for fans of old-school 2D platformers who appreciate a tough, skill-based experience, "Li'l Red" captures the charm of classic handheld titles with its minimalist pixel art and distinct LCD-inspired color palettes. By guiding the resilient Lyra through diverse stages filled with cunning enemies and environmental hazards, players must master her unique spin jump, dive, and harp-based attacks to progress. While the game’s difficulty can be formidable—particularly on higher settings—“Li'l Red” rewards precision, strategic movement, and frequent experimentation. From multiple difficulty modes to secret areas and a retro ranking system, this platformer offers a satisfying blend of nostalgia and challenge for those who crave an authentic throwback experience.[/th] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]Game Tags:[/b][/td] [td]✔2D Platformer ✔Action ✔Retro ✔Pixel Art ✔Challenging ✔Single-Player[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]Genre Classification:[/b][/td] [td]A retro-style action-platformer blending classic handheld aesthetics with modern twists, focusing on advanced movement, combat options, and challenging stage designs.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]Game Length:[/b][/td] [td]Short to moderate; can be cleared in a few hours, but multiple difficulty modes and hidden secrets extend replay value.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]Challenge Level:[/b][/td] [td]High; success demands precise platforming, careful resource use, and mastery of unique moves.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]Graphics:[/b][/td] [td]Minimalist pixel art with selectable LCD-inspired color filters, evoking the nostalgia of early handheld gaming.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]Technical Stability:[/b][/td] [td]Generally stable, with quick loading times and smooth performance.[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td][b]Replay Value:[/b][/td] [td]Significant; multiple difficulties, scoring systems, hidden areas, and color palette swaps encourage repeated playthroughs.[/td] [/tr] [/table] [b]For further insights, feel free to join my [url=https://steamcommunity.com/groups/MaverickGameVault]Steam group[/url] or follow my updates on my [url=https://steamcommunity.com/groups/MaverickGameVault/]curator page[/url].[/b] [h1]Detailed review:[/h1] [table] [tr] [td][b]Key Features:[/b][/td] [td] 🔮 [b]Spin & Dive Mechanics:[/b] The spin jump grants limited invulnerability against enemies, while the dive can bypass danger and provide momentum for bigger leaps. 🌌 [b]Retro Handheld Flair:[/b] Immerse yourself in 15 color palettes reminiscent of 1990s LCD screens, paired with a classic 8-bit soundtrack. ♾️ [b]Flexible Difficulty Modes:[/b] Choose from Easy, Normal, or Hard, each affecting damage taken and enemy aggression, ensuring a challenge for every skill level. ⭐ [b]Summonable Familiars:[/b] Lepus, Felis, and Columba each offer ranged attacks using MP, forcing players to balance melee and magic. 🛠️ [b]Score & Rank System:[/b] Earn better ranks by minimizing damage and completing levels faster—ideal for speedrunners and completionists alike.[/td] [/tr] [/table] [table] [tr] [th]🌟[b]Overview:[/b][/th] [/tr] [tr] [td] "Li'l Red" is a 2D action-platformer that blends nostalgia with a surprising depth of mechanics. Playing as Lyra—a heroine armed with a harp and loyal animal companions—players traverse various themed stages, each featuring unique enemies, obstacles, and bosses. Seamlessly combining tight, responsive controls with a retro style, “Li'l Red” challenges you to master every aspect of its gameplay to progress and uncover hidden secrets. [/td] [/tr] [/table] [table] [tr] [th]🎮[b]Gameplay:[/b][/th] [/tr] [tr] [td]🎲 [b]Momentum & Movement:[/b] The run mechanic allows for faster traversal, while spin jumps and dives grant unique offensive and defensive capabilities. ⚔️ [b]Harp-Based Combat:[/b] Lyra’s main attack can be charged for extra damage, though timing is crucial to avoid taking hits mid-charge. 👥 [b]Familiars & MP Usage:[/b] Summon Lepus, Felis, or Columba for ranged attacks at the cost of MP, which refills through melee strikes—adding a layer of resource management. 🗺️ [b]Slopes & Speed Jumps:[/b] Diving onto slopes builds momentum, enabling extended leaps, rewarding players who learn how to chain moves creatively. 💰 [b]Retro Difficulty Balance:[/b] Checkpoints reduce frustration, but enemy knockback and tricky platform placements ensure a high-stakes adventure.[/td] [/tr] [/table] [table] [tr] [th]📖[b]Story and Depth:[/b][/th] [/tr] [tr] [td] Though narrative takes a backseat to gameplay, the premise of Lyra delivering a sacred herb through dangerous terrain sets the stage. Her harp, companions, and whimsical foes add charm to each level, while the little dialogue that exists fosters a lighthearted yet determined journey. [/td] [/tr] [/table] [table] [tr] [th]🏆[b]Verdict:[/b][/th] [/tr] [tr] [td]"Li'l Red" successfully fuses vintage handheld aesthetics with modern design sensibilities, offering a platformer that feels both familiar and fresh. Its spin jump and dive mechanics demand a level of precision typical of classic games, but the diverse difficulty modes ensure it’s accessible to a wide audience. If you’re longing for a retro-style challenge punctuated by quirky characters, endearing visuals, and a robust scoring system, “Li'l Red” is a nostalgic treat worth trying. [/td] [/tr] [/table] [table] [tr] [th]✅[b]Good:[/b][/th] [/tr] [tr] [td]👍 Retro-inspired pixel art and music capture the feel of classic handheld gaming. 👍 Deep and rewarding spin jump/dive mechanics that set the game apart. 👍 Multiple difficulty settings ensure accessibility without sacrificing challenge. 👍 Familiars provide versatile ranged support, adding tactical variety. 👍 High replay value with scoring, hidden secrets, and color filters to revisit.[/td] [/tr] [/table] [table] [tr] [th]🛠️[b]Ways of Improvement:[/b][/th] [/tr] [tr] [td]👎 Some enemy placements can feel punishing, especially near pits. 👎 Additional tutorials or tips for mastering charged attacks and summons could help newcomers.[/td] [/tr] [/table]
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I remember Kirby's Dream Land as the game that dared to make platformers accessible to everyone it possibly could. The visual style of Li'l Red had me hoping for something comparable, perhaps something that had been inspired to explore the concept further or take it in another direction. I'll admit that was foolish of me. The first thing I am greeted with upon starting the game is a fighting game-esque control scheme that seems to go against every platforming instinct I have ever developed from the first time I ever held a piece of gaming hardware. Let's start with jumping. You can jump almost as you would in any other platformer, but you will never find a good reason to do so. That's because the standard jump has been obsoleted by a spinning jump, which you can perform simply by holding up or down while pressing the jump button. Now your jump has improved height as well as some limited offensive and defensive capabilities. The spin jump essentially reverses the flow of contact damage, allowing you to damage enemies instead of taking damage from them, [i]but it only works in unspecified instances where the game allows it to[/i]. For instance, the first boss has one attack that causes its body to deal contact damage to you regardless of your own state, and you will not know when this can happen until it happens. Either way, there are absolutely no downsides to the spin jump other than the extra input it takes to perform. Moving on to attacking. You have a basic forward shockwave attack that can be charged up into a stronger version with slightly more range. At some point it occurred to me that using this attack, however essential it may have first seemed, was counterproductive in almost every scenario. First, there is a considerable amount of animation lock after attacking that prevents you from moving at all. Second, getting hit while charging will immediately reset the charge to zero. Third, attacking in the air cancels your spin jump into a regular jump, so unless your attack was charged up to begin with you're almost certainly going to be hit back by whatever you just attacked. With some careful consideration you might find a few situations (outside of boss fights) where the standard attack comes in handy, but those will surely be few and far between. Finally we have the dash maneuver. Unlike the spin jump, this one actually has a designated button, but you will find it works less like the sprint in Kirby and more like the dash in Mega Man X, which briefly enables a faster jump. The dash can also be used to cancel the animation lock after attacking, but don't expect that to do you any good. When you add all of these together, what are you looking at? A game where the optimal play is almost always right-B-upright-A. That's the minimum amount of inputs required to perform a dashing spin jump, and my thumb is still sore from it even as I type this. But keeping up that kind of momentum will work infinitely better than trying to internalize the exact moment a snail will decide to knock you into a pit. It will work better than slowing down to deal with enemies that explode, enemies whose projectiles aim straight for you, enemies who pile up if you let them follow you too closely through the level. None of them have any less than 3 HP, and so none of them can be disposed of as fast as they can be bypassed. Despite appearances, I would not compare this game to Kirby in the slightest. Nor would I compare it to Mario, Mega Man, Castlevania, or even Zelda II. While it may not be as difficult as any of those platformers to complete, Li'l Red has a certain obtuseness which makes it more difficult than any of those for me to simply play and enjoy. Maybe if you come from more of a fighting game background, you will find the appeal in this where I could not. At the end of the day though, I can tell I'm not the target audience in spite of the sheer influence retro platformers have had on me.
[h1]かわいいドット絵プラットフォーマー[/h1] 日本語未対応(言語依存度低)早期アクセス かわいい赤ずきんっぽいLi’lちゃんと使い魔を切り替えつつ 進んでいくファミコンやGBを思わせるドット絵プラットフォーマー 難易度はイージー、ノーマル、ハードの3種類 イージーでもかなりの歯ごたえがあるが 残機制ではなくチェックポイントもあったので ジワジワと進める事が出来た ファミリアの攻撃は少しトリッキーで ゲージがあり、かつ軌道を計算しないと使えない子もいる 鳥が個人的には使いやすいと感じた 但しボス戦なら別のファミリアをした方が賢い選択になると思う レトロな外見と操作性のプラットフォーマーが遊びたい!と いう人にはなかなか良い選択肢だと思う [code] Steamキュレーターで紹介しました [URL=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/41056472/]「3D酔いでもゲームがしたい」[/URL] [URL=https://twitter.com/_Rlyeh]Twitter(X)[/URL] 毎日更新してます! [/code]
Some people do retro well. This isn't it. - The music is horrid, - Avoiding attacks is difficult (and that's on easy mode). - Neither 'Enter' nor 'Space' nor 'Esc' work in the menu. I really don't know what the dev was thinking.
Brutal old-school difficulty packed in cute little aesthetics. The game opts for minimalistic art and basic color. If the default colors aren't to your liking, there are other color templates available in the options. Some are too bright for my taste, but a few are exactly ideal for the game. The gameplay is typical of a platformer, featuring jumping and attacking. There is no tutorial, but I wish there was one to teach you about unique abilities. These are in limited supply and utilize animals with special attacks. All three feel completely useless because of weak attacks. Despite its attractive looks and appearance, the game is as tough as nails. Although you can pick between lower and higher difficulty levels, normal is the best way to receive the whole experience. In any case, there isn't much of a difference because it simply affects the damage you receive. The majority of the annoyance stems from knockback and instant death when falling into pits. When both are present, death always follows. There are way too many situations in which you must jump on platforms, but contact with an enemy knocks you into a hole. Naturally, enemy placement is ideal for this to occur. There are, thankfully, checkpoints. The game's balance needs to be improved. I frequently just rushed to the next checkpoint or took an intentional hit that grants you a second of invincibility to get through a difficult section. Another disadvantage is that your character's attack is very weak. You'll have to kill cute animals like butterflies, cats, and frogs. They can, however, take multiple hits and attack relentlessly. While attacking in the air is okay, attacking on the ground prevents you from moving for a split second. As you might expect, bosses have attacks that require fast reaction. Second and fourth boss are unplayable because of fast random attacks that are impossible to dodge. I had to rely on a another secret move; press up and jump. If you choose to delete your save file when on stage 2 and restart the game, you may encounter a glitch. The new file will begin in Chapter 2 and will display a white screen, rendering the game unplayable. This can be resolved by exiting and restarting the game. The game is still in early access and doesn’t cost much, but I would recommend this only to those who are familiar with old-school experience that borders on unfair. It's not fun for anyone else.
a great little game that references the Gameboy era of games. a fair challenge and in all mean accomplishes its goal. my only criticism is that it needed like a bonus level or something to break up the platforming to nail that gameboy ascetic.
Precision platforming that plays like old Mega Man and controls like it too. Easy to pick up, harder to master. Scoring system fairly detailed. Textbook variety of mobs and level progression in complexity.
Cute art style. Pretty hardcore platforming, which is a plus imho Enjoyable boss fights Runs great on steam deck
An enjoyable action-platformer with a focus on combos and hard-counters. I'm not sure what Li'l Red did to piss off all these woodland creatures but you've got a wide variety of moves to help you best them. Alternatively, you can use Red's mobility to race through levels. It's certainly not "Kirby's Dream Land", but I wouldn't say its hard either. It does require a bit of cautious play and it rewards a player who uses all of Red's moves. My controller worked well and the controls themselves were fairly tight. If you're in the mood for a combat-heavy platformer you can't go wrong with Li'l Red.
[url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/6283395/]SepticFalcon Steam Curator[/url] https://www.youtube.com/c/septicfalcon I could tell right away this is a lovingly built call back to 8-bit/Game Boy, so if you love retro platformers and nostalgia for the Game Boy this might be the game for you!
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