Screenshots
Watch trailer on Steam ↗Quantum Cortex
QCDev · Published by QCDev · Official site ↗
Content notice: Quantum Cortex contains frequent images of blood, gore, and human suffering, which will make many players uncomfortable. Please consider this before making a purchase.
Last updated 27 Sept 2026
Quantum Cortex is a fast-paced, physics-based metroidvania. Tear through a dark, atmospheric environment at lightning speeds and battle terrifying creatures. Discover the eldritch mystery behind civilization’s fall, and rise up against the transhumanist dystopia that took its place.
Action, Adventure, Indie · More free games
Quantum Cortex challenges you to explore a dark, atmospheric world where physics defies logic. Navigate through time-bending corridors and confront horrifying foes as you unravel the secrets of a civilization’s fall.
About this game
IT IS THE DAWN OF THE 27TH CENTURY.
THE GREED OF MAN HAS MANIFESTED INTO PHYSICAL FORM, TAINTING THE EARTH WITH UNHOLY INFECTION.
SOCIETY HAS COLLAPSED. HUMANITY IS NEAR EXTINCTION.
BUT CORPORATE PROFITS HAVE NEVER BEEN HIGHER!!!!!!
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Tear through a dark, atmospheric environment at lightning speeds and battle terrifying eldritch creatures in this fast-paced, physics-based metroidvania. Discover the mystery behind civilization’s fall, and rise up against the transhumanist dystopia that took its place.
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ARSENAL
Abilities are used with the right mouse button. They are versatile and can be used effectively in many situations– be they exploration, travel, or combat. They cost Energy to use. The Energy pool is small, but will recharge automatically over time, or when collecting Blue Orbs. The Energy Meter is located to the right of the crosshair.
Weapons are used with the left mouse button. They are your primary source of damage. They cost Ammo to fire. Ammo will refill as you move. The faster you run, the faster your Weapon recharges, so don’t stand still during combat! This prevents the player from camping, and makes fights more dynamic. The Ammo Meter is located to the left of the crosshair. Like Energy, Ammo will refill when collecting Blue Orbs.
Finally, Passives grant a variety of miscellaneous benefits. They can be permanent buffs, or skills with a unique input. Most Passives can be used indefinitely, but others may require their own Special Resource.
Items can be found in glowing chests scattered around the game.
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MOVEMENT FLOW
Controls are reversed while running upside down, but return to normal while airborne. This creates a more interesting control system with simple rules, and a higher skill ceiling for speedrunners. Movement is a bit like miniature rhythm challenge.
THE ROAD TO HELL IS PAVED IN GOLD.
System Requirements
Will my PC run this? →Minimum
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit version 1909 revision 1350 or higher, or versions 2004 and 20H2 revision 789 or higher
- Processor: Quad-core Intel or AMD, 2.5 GHz or better
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: DirectX 11 or 12 compatible graphics card
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 10 GB available space
- Sound Card: DirectX compatible sound card
- VR Support: None
Recommended
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
Supported Languages
Latest news
Patch NotesOfficial
Demo Version 1.1.100
Hi everyone! I am a solo developer, and this is my pet project. You can call me QCDev :) v. 1.1.100 Patch notes: Adjustments: - Sped up dialogue speed. - Changed music placement. - Adjusted the size of the checkpoint interaction radius, making it harder for players to accidentally jump over them without triggering anything. - Made several balance changes over the course of MAGFest 2025! The game should be overall easier, more streamlined, and more forgiving for new players. I didn't have the foresight to write these changes down. Sorry! If you enjoyed the old difficulty, try hard mode. It is extremely brutal. -- Fixes: - Fixed an issue where the weapon / ability selection wheels would not remove themselves from the screen when pausing. - Fixed an issue where changing the gamma slider in the setting menu would not restore the menu background when finished. - Fixed an issue where the game could be paused during the opening cutscene. - Fixed an issue where the SPIDER DRONE would spin in circles over and over and just let you kill it if you stood in a certain position. - Fixed an issue where pressing the pause button would not close the Stats menu. --- Known issues: - Certain menus remain in the background listening for inputs when closed, causing memory leaks. {HIGH PRIORITY FIX} - Certain graphical issues such as flashing lights or excessive bloom may occur, depending on the player's graphics settings and hardware. {HIGH PRIORITY FIX} - Rarely, connecting with level geometry may cause the player to jitter. {HIGH PRIORITY FIX} - Tutorial text does not update to reflect control binding settings. {LOW PRIORITY FIX} - Certain animations may still be offset from their expected position in some circumstances (e.g. being too far away from the ledge while in the wall-hang state) {LOW PRIORITY FIX} - On rare occasions, when the player dies, they may be unable to respawn. {UNABLE TO REPLICATE} - A rare crash may occur when running off of ramps. {UNABLE TO REPLICATE} --- Thanks ...Read full article on Community Announcements (Quantum Cortex)AnnouncementsOfficial
Demo Version 1.1.000
Hi everyone! I am a solo developer, and this is my pet project. You can call me QCDev :) --- v. 1.1.000 Patch notes: Additions: - Implemented new dialogue & story content with a script written by Ian Flynn - Added new enemy type: DECIMATOR TURRET - Added new enemy type: HIVE OBSERVER - Updated enemy textures. - Added the PHYSGUN and OVERDRIVE abilities to the shop. - Added social links to the main menu. - Introduced lighting, texture, and other graphical changes, with a primary focus on adding visual contrast between the level geometry and the background, and a secondary focus on making things look cooler. - Improved visibility for all graphical settings. - Improved level design & added secrets. --- Adjustments: - Reduced the intensity of the ABILITIES DISABLED screen effect for improved visibility. - Reduced the brightness of various screen flash effects for accessibility reasons. - RUN ASSIST now defaults to OFF again, due to lukewarm reception. - the BURST RIFLE now deals PIERCE damage instead of KINETIC damage. - The body of a WEEPING EYE is now considered a weakpoint. Health was doubled to accommodate. In short, the BURST RIFLE is now a more effective option against these enemies, though it's still not as ideal as the SEMI-AUTO SHOTGUN or jump attacks. - Knockback values of 0 will no longer cause the player to become airborne when running across a non-floor, non-magnetic surface. - Improved tutorial text. - Improved visuals for boss beam attacks - Adjusted animation values. - Various changes to enemy damage resistance values were made in order to improve the general average effectiveness of each weapon. Weaknesses still exist, but are less pronounced, so it no longer feels like a requirement to switch weapons every time an enemy is encountered. DAMAGE TYPE COEFFICIENTS: BUZZSAW DRONE: Energy: 1.2 -> 1.5 BOMB DRONE: Pierce: 1 -> 1.5 AVATAR OF ANGER: Blunt: 1 -> 1.5 FLOWER OF AVARICE: Pierce: 2 -> 4 Slash: 2 -> 3 WEEPING EYE: Pierce: 3 -> 2.5 Blunt: 6 -> 2 WANDER...Read full article on Community Announcements (Quantum Cortex)Patch NotesOfficial
Demo version 1.0.403
Hi everyone! I am a solo developer, and this is my pet project. You can call me QCDev :) --- v. 1.0.403 Patch notes: --- Adjustments: -Reduced the size of the "GOT CURRENCY" notification panel. -- Fixes: - Improved an issue where certain high-speed wall interactions would cause the player's gravity scale to be set to 0. - Fixed some issues with the new hidden ability. --- Known issues: - Certain menus remain in the background listening for inputs when closed, causing memory leaks. {HIGH PRIORITY FIX} - Certain graphical issues such as flashing lights or excessive bloom may occur, depending on the player's graphics settings and hardware. {HIGH PRIORITY FIX} - Rarely, connecting with level geometry may cause the player to jitter. {HIGH PRIORITY FIX} - Tutorial text does not update to reflect control binding settings. {LOW PRIORITY FIX} - Certain animations may still be offset from their expected position in some circumstances (e.g. being too far away from the ledge while in the wall-hang state) {LOW PRIORITY FIX} - On rare occasions, when the player dies, they may be unable to respawn. {UNABLE TO REPLICATE} - A rare crash may occur when running off of ramps. {UNABLE TO REPLICATE} --- Thanks to everyone who checked the game out during SAGE 2024! --- Want to talk? The fastest way to reach me is through the community discord! https://discord.gg/qaRcDCEDDj Right now, there are only about 75 members-- the most active one being myself. If you're interested in sharing feedback, suggestions, or getting a sneak-peak at upcoming content, feel free to jump aboard! --- Follow me on my socials! https://twitter.com/CortexQuantum - My Twitter https://www.youtube.com/@qcdev - My Youtube https://www.patreon.com/QCDev - My Patreon https://bsky.app/profile/qcdev.bsky.social - My Bluesky https://www.instagram.com/quantum_cortex/ - My Insta MORE WAYS TO CONNECT:Read full article on Community Announcements (Quantum Cortex)Patch NotesOfficial
Demo Version 1.0.402
Hi everyone! I am a solo developer, and this is my pet project. You can call me QCDev :) --- v. 1.0.402 Patch notes: Fixes: - Fixed an issue where control rebinding widgets were not properly centered at resolutions other than 1080p. - Fixed an issue where colliding with a gravity lift with Run Assist set to ON could cause unexpected direction shifts. --- Known issues: - Certain high-speed wall interactions will cause the player's gravity scale to be set to 0. {HIGH PRIORITY FIX} - Certain menus remain in the background listening for inputs when closed, causing memory leaks. {HIGH PRIORITY FIX} - Certain graphical issues such as flashing lights or excessive bloom may occur, depending on the player's graphics settings and hardware. - Rarely, connecting with level geometry may cause the player to jitter. {HIGH PRIORITY FIX} - Tutorial text does not update to reflect control binding settings. {LOW PRIORITY FIX} - Certain animations may still be offset from their expected position in some circumstances (e.g. being too far away from the ledge while in the wall-hang state) {LOW PRIORITY FIX} - On rare occasions, when the player dies, they may be unable to respawn. {UNABLE TO REPLICATE} - A rare crash may occur when running off of ramps. {UNABLE TO REPLICATE} --- Thanks to everyone who checked the game out during SAGE 2024! --- Want to talk? The fastest way to reach me is through the community discord! https://discord.gg/qaRcDCEDDj Right now, there are only about 75 members-- the most active one being myself. If you're interested in sharing feedback, suggestions, or getting a sneak-peak at upcoming content, feel free to jump aboard! --- Follow me on my socials! https://twitter.com/CortexQuantum - My Twitter https://www.youtube.com/@qcdev - My Youtube https://www.patreon.com/QCDev - My Patreon https://bsky.app/profile/qcdev.bsky.social - My Bluesky https://www.instagram.com/quantum_cortex/ - My Insta MORE WAYS TO CONNECT:Read full article on Community Announcements (Quantum Cortex)Patch NotesOfficial
Demo Version 1.0.401
Hi everyone! I am a solo developer, and this is my pet project. You can call me QCDev :) --- v. 1.0.401 Patch notes: Adjustments: - Updated notifications for invalid name entry on save slot creation. - Adjusted the textures of some magnetic surfaces. --- Fixes: - Fixed an issue where pressing the pause button with the STATS menu open would freeze the game simulation. - Fixed an issue where the STATS menu would remain active in the background when closed. - Fixed an issue with Run Assist Mode set to ON, where jumping off a ceiling could cause an unexpected direction shift. --- Known issues: - Certain high-speed wall interactions will cause the player's gravity scale to be set to 0. {HIGH PRIORITY FIX} - Control rebinding widgets are not properly centered at resolutions other than 1080p. {HIGH PRIORITY FIX} - Certain menus remain in the background listening for inputs when closed, causing memory leaks. {HIGH PRIORITY FIX} - Certain graphical issues such as flashing lights or excessive bloom may occur, depending on the player's graphics settings and hardware. - Rarely, connecting with level geometry may cause the player to jitter. {HIGH PRIORITY FIX} - Colliding with a gravity lift with Run Assist set to ON can cause unexpected direction shifts. {HIGH PRIORITY FIX} - Tutorial text does not update to reflect control binding settings. {LOW PRIORITY FIX} - Certain animations may still be offset from their expected position in some circumstances (e.g. being too far away from the ledge while in the wall-hang state) {LOW PRIORITY FIX} - On rare occasions, when the player dies, they may be unable to respawn. {UNABLE TO REPLICATE} - A rare crash may occur when running off of ramps. {UNABLE TO REPLICATE} --- Thanks to everyone who checked the game out during SAGE 2024! --- Want to talk? The fastest way to reach me is through the community discord! https://discord.gg/qaRcDCEDDj Right now, there are only about 75 members-- the most active one being myself. If you're interested in...Read full article on Community Announcements (Quantum Cortex)
