RetroRealms: Halloween — Everything We Know

RetroRealms has just announced not one but two upcoming spooky games. Titled RetroRealms: Halloween and RetroRealms: Ash vs Evil Dead, the studio plans to merge both games into one. You’ll be free to play either Michael Myers of the classic 1978 Halloween slasher film in RetroRealms: Halloween or Ash Williams of 1981 The Evil Dead horror film in RetroRealms: Ash vs Evil Dead. But you can also switch the characters, crossing over from one game to the other. For that reason, you can buy the two games independently or as a double bundle. In any case, read on to learn everything we know about RetroRealms: Halloween.

What is RetroRealms: Halloween?

RetroRealms: Halloween is an upcoming pixel art side-scrolling platformer game. The pixel art will be implemented in a 16-bit retro style reminiscent of arcade games. At the center of the stage will be Michael Myers, the iconic classic horror villain who also goes by “The Shape.” It’s exciting that Michael Myers finally gets his own game after the Halloween game on Atari 2600. It’s been a long time coming, and The Shape appearing in Dead by Daylight is simply not enough. Now, you can finally control the icon in a stand-alone game of his own.

Story

You’ll control Michael Myers, a horror legend who needs no introduction. It’s unclear what the official story, RetroRealms: Halloween, plans to tell. However, we do know that the visuals and soundtrack will draw heavy inspiration from the classic 1978 Halloween film. The game will take place in Haddonfield, which will unravel in a side-scrolling 2D manner. Like Michael Myers, the characters you’ll fight against will be familiar, drawn from the film. However, the main agenda will be to survive against all odds, maiming and killing anyone who dares stand in your way.

Gameplay

You’ll decimate waves of enemies across multiple platforming stages. The stages will pit you against familiar characters from the 1978 Halloween film. While you’ll fight several enemies across the stages, you’ll also face dangerous bosses. From the trailer, combat will be bloody, posing challenging encounters. Here are the key features you can look forward to in the final game.

• Retro aesthetic – RetroRealms: Halloween plans to pay homage to the classics, adopting a retro pixel art style. The soundtrack, too, will incorporate nostalgic tunes. Still, the gameplay will put a fresh twist on the classic side-scrollers’ charm.
• Upgrades and unlocks – Besides decimating enemies, you’ll also be keeping an eye out for hidden collectibles and relics. You’ll stumble onto tickets that give way to checking out the displays at a museum. The more you play, the more power-ups you’ll unlock that strengthen your core skills and abilities. As a result, your play style will evolve over time.
• RetroRealms Arcade – You can control Michael Myers in RetroRealms: Ash vs Evil Dead in the RetroRealms Arcade section. It’s a 3D hub that allows you to transport characters from one game to another. While the studio is starting with two games, they plan to add more games over time.
• Global leaderboards – Compete against friends and players from all around the world. Hone your skills as you climb up the ladder to the top of the charts.

Development

Developer WayForward and publisher Boss Team Games are currently working on RetroRealms: Halloween in collaboration with Compass International Pictures, Further Front, Lionsgate Games, STARZ, and Renaissance Pictures. Simultaneously, the studio is working on RetroRealms: Ash vs Evil Dead, aiming to launch both games on the same day. It seems, though, that Michael Myers and Ash Williams are only the beginning of a stream of more iconic villains to come. The upcoming villains will star in their own game. However, you’ll still retain the freedom to crossover characters from one game to another. It’s unclear which iconic villain the studio will be taking on next, but we sure wish them the best.

Trailer

RetroRealms: Halloween’s announcement trailer is out now on YouTube. It showcases the visuals and gameplay you can expect in the final game. Brace yourself for some intense, gory-ridden slashing and maiming of innocent folk. It’s the joy of Michael Myers’ blood lust and perfectly fitting of the upcoming Halloween season. Besides, the game has been gracious enough to include familiar environmental details and characters from the classic film. So, you can genuinely relive the glory days of horrifying cinema. 

The upcoming game is a side-scrolling platformer. So, you will have to dodge obstacles and potentially solve puzzles. RetroRealms: Halloween’s trailer has been combined with RetroRealms: Ash vs Evil Dead, with pretty similar gameplay. Switching between the two characters will, undoubtedly, add replayability to the franchise.

Release Date, Platforms, & Editions

It’s official. RetroRealms: Halloween will arrive on October 18, 2024, just in time for Halloween. It’ll launch on multiple platforms, including PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. The standard edition is currently available for preorder at $24.99. Alternatively, you can buy the “Double Feature” bundle, which includes RetroRealms: Halloween and RetroRealms: Ash vs Evil Dead at $49.99. Furthermore, you can preorder the Collector’s Edition at $99.99, which includes the following:

• RetroRealms: Halloween physical copy
• RetroRealms: Ash vs Evil Dead physical copy
• Laurie Strode DLC (RetroRealms: Halloween)
• Kelly Maxwell DLC (RetroRealms: Ash vs Evil Dead)
• 12” Michael Myers plush
• Collectible Coin Set featuring Michael Myers and Laurie Strode in an acrylic display case
• StealBook Case (RetroRealms: Halloween)
• Limited Edition Michael Myers Enamel Pin
• Art Print (RetroRealms: Halloween)
• Downloadable Digital RetroRealms Soundtrack
• Special Variant Foil Pack of 8 Trading Cards 
• Faux Arcade Cabinet Box (RetroRealms: Halloween)
• Special Surprise Item

Apparently, there are only 5,000 copies available for preorder. So, hurry while stocks last. Also, Steam users will have to settle on “digital only” copies of the game. For more updates on the development process, feel free to follow the official social handle here.

So, what’s your take? Will you be grabbing a copy of RetroRealms: Halloween when it drops? Let us know over on our socials here.