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Watch trailer on Steam ↗SHADE Protocol
Little Legendary · Published by Little Legendary · Official site ↗
Last updated 8 Oct 2026
SHADE Protocol is a 2D cyber-fantasy Metroidvania where music, code, and combat collide. Swap between DAWN and SHADE forms to unleash devastating abilities, wield Instruments as weapons, and rewrite reality itself in a world on the brink of annihilation by the SHADE Protocol.
Action, Adventure, Indie, RPG · More free games
Explore a world on the brink of annihilation as you swap between DAWN and SHADE forms, wielding Instruments as weapons and rewriting reality. Dive into this 2D action-adventure RPG from Little Legendary where music and combat collide.
About this game
Wishlist and Follow SHADE Protocol!
About the Game
SHADE Protocol is a 2D cyber-fantasy Metroidvania where precision combat, fluid mobility, and an intricate narrative collide. Set in a dying world overtaken by Elythium, a sentient metal that has turned against the world, players assume the role of Zura, a prototype Replica that can recompile reality. As the last hope for humanity and free-willed machines, she must navigate the ruins of civilization, master lost technologies, and defy an enemy that has rewritten the fabric of existence itself.
Seamlessly switch between DAWN and SHADE modes, altering combat styles and gameplay dynamics. Wield Instruments, powerful code-based weaponry inspired by music, each serving a unique role in battle and exploration. Engage in high-speed, skill-based combat, parrying and countering enemies in a world that demands mastery. Explore vast, interconnected Bastions, where every discovery alters the fate of the war between SHADEs and Xaviors, and the all-consuming SHADE Protocol.
- UNISON System – Rewrite Reality – The world of SHADE Protocol exists as code. Wield it to manipulate events, relive key moments, and choose their ultimate outcome, shaping the fate of entire factions.
- Dynamic Combat System – Mix precision melee combat with specialized Instruments, executing devastating combos, parries, and counters. Swap between DAWN and SHADE modes to adapt to different playstyles in real-time.
- Unique Defensive Mechanics – Perfectly timed parries and counters restore Echo, a vital energy source for powerful Instrument attacks and defensive maneuvers.
- Instruments – Weapons That Sing – Wield an arsenal of musical weapons, including the Twilight Spear, Sunrise Great Axe, and Midnight Chakram, each with distinct combat and exploration abilities.
The war is lost. The song is rewritten. Will you take the stage?
System Requirements
Will my PC run this? →Minimum
- OS: Windows 10
- Processor: Intel 8th Gen Quad Core or AMD Ryzen Quad Core
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: Nvidia 450 GTS / Radeon HD 5750 or better
- DirectX: Version 11
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Storage: 1 GB available space
Recommended
- OS: Windows 10
- Processor: Intel 9th Gen Quad Core+ or AMD Ryzen 5+
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: Nvidia GTX 460 / Radeon HD 7800 or better
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 1 GB available space
Supported Languages
*languages with full audio support
Latest news
AnnouncementsOfficial
48 Hours Left to Back SHADE Protocol on Kickstarter!
SHADEs!We are officially in the final 48 hours of the SHADE Protocol Kickstarter.This campaign has gone far beyond what we expected, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who backed, shared, commented, wishlisted, sent feedback, or simply cheered us on from the sidelines.Back SHADE Protocol here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/littlelegendary/shade-protocolThanks to your support, SHADE Protocol reached its initial funding goal in just 25 minutes, then kept going!Across the campaign, we've unlocked 12 goals that will help make the game bigger, stranger, and more exciting:Initial Funding Goal met in 25 minutes!Additional Area: The Worldwound!Guest Composer: Manami Matsumae, original Mega Man composer!New Instrument Weapon: TBD, maybe a Scythe, maybe a Hammer, who knows!Core Improvement: Live instruments for the soundtrack!Boss Content: A new Primal Boss!Radical Fish Collab #1: CrossCode x Alabaster Dawn Secret Bosses and Harmonies!Additional Area: The Codesong!Guest Vocalist: Emi Evans, original vocalist for NieR, Dark Souls, Granblue Fantasy, and more!New Game Mode: SHADE Encores, our Boss Rush+ Mode!New Instrument Weapon: Fists, with punching, grappling, and more!New DLC: CrossCode x Alabaster Dawn x SHADE Protocol Collab DLC!That last one still feels unreal to write.The CrossCode x Alabaster Dawn x SHADE Protocol DLC will be a full themed DLC with a new area, new bosses, new storyline content, and more. It will also include music from Nagi Shirakumo, the original composer of CrossCode and Alabaster Dawn, and level design from Milton Guasti, known for his work on Ori and the Blind Forest, Another Metroid 2 Remake, and more.Even better, everyone who pledges for a game tier before the Kickstarter ends will receive the DLC for free.We also revealed Fist Weapons, a brand-new Instrument type focused on fast, close-range, aggressive combat. Our goal with Fists is to make them feel physical, stylish, and extremely satisfying, with punching, grappling, and other ...Read full article on Community Announcements (bladegrasp)Press Coverage
Music, code, and combat collide in the fab looking metroidvania SHADE Protocol
A sentient metal has turned against the world in SHADE Protocol, a fantastic looking upcoming metroidvania that has me rather excited. Read the full article here: https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2026/06/music-code-and-combat-collide-in-the-fab-looking-metroidvania-shade-protocol/Read full article on GamingOnLinuxAnnouncementsOfficial
Our Kickstarter Campaign Launches in less than 24 hours!
SHADE Protocol’s Kickstarter Launches Tomorrow @ 3:30PM Pacific!Hello SHADEs!This is a very exciting and emotional update for us. After over a year of working on SHADE Protocol as a self-funded indie project, our Kickstarter campaign is finally launching tomorrow at 3:30 PM Pacific Time with a new trailer airing at the Latin American Games Showcase! The campaign is a huge step for us. It will help us bring SHADE Protocol closer to the larger, more ambitious version of the game we believe it can become, while keeping our community directly connected to its development. The Kickstarter will include reward tiers, stretch goals, new information about the world of Emeria, characters, gameplay systems, music, art, and more. We will also be sharing a brand-new trailer alongside the launch. Lots of big special rewards will exist during the campaign; a new Physical and Collector's Edition, many unique digital goodies, and opportunities to make your own enemies, NPCs, bosses, special abilities, pets, and even Snacklets!Here is a mockup of the physical Collectors Edition boxes! We're still getting updated versions tomorrow! As for our main goal, we are trying to stay focused on our core objective of making SHADE Protocol the best version of itself we can. If we go past that, some possible stretch goals include the following:Guest musical appearances like:Matsumae Manami (original composer of Megaman 2's Dr. Wily's Castle theme!)Emi Evans (original vocalist for NieR Automata/Replicant, Dark Souls, Star Wars: Visions, Grandblue Fantasy, and more!)SHIRAKUMO Nagi (original composer of CrossCode and Alabaster Dawn!)Improving our soundtrack with Live Instruments!New Instruments (in-game weapons) and abilities!A radical collaboration with Radical Fish Games to bring additional content themed to CrossCode and Alabaster Dawn! Secret bosses, unique abilities, and more... maybe even a DLC!In case you missed it, here is the Collab Teaser we revealed some days ago!If you have been followin...Read full article on Community Announcements (bladegrasp)AnnouncementsOfficial
Official Kickstarter Date Announcement!
Hey there everyone! Kendall here, Game Director for SHADE Protocol. I'm so incredibly excited to share a ton of great news in the next few days and weeks with you, this one being the first of many to come!Kickstarter Launch Date: June 4th!Our prelaunch Kickstarter Page is live and will be getting constant updates before our actual crowdfunding launch date of June 4th! Take a look at our page to see more updates throughout the next few days! World-Class collaboration with a cult classic!While I cannot announce it just yet, we are tirelessly working on a spectacular collab with a game we love and we're sure you will be excited for! Some of the goals for our campaign will have additional perks related to unlocking more and more optional content, this being possible thanks to the immense support from them. What I can spoil for you is this: + It's a huge game, big enough where we are honored by the opportunity to collab with them! + The theme of the game is adjacent/near ours and it's a big inspiration for us! + This is a true partnership; we're not licensing IPs or paying for access, it's a real, intentional collab! Stay tuned, we'll be sharing more about it very soon! :DRevamped Kickstarter Trailer with new stuff!Spoiler alert; this is not our final trailer for the Kickstarter, we're working on something that you won't believe... more on that soon (sorry for all the secrecy, I promise it'll make sense soon why!) Check it out at our Steam Page or as the first one on our Kickstarter Page! Tons more to share, give us a few days to get it all figured out and we'll keep you updated! Thank you so much for all the care you put into our dream project, Kendall Game Director, SHADE ProtocolRead full article on Community Announcements (bladegrasp)Patch NotesOfficial
LOG.03 // SEPT.25 Update - Shaping Worlds, Smarter Foes
Hello everyone!We’re back with our third DevLog, and once again we want to thank you all for the incredible support. Every wishlist, every message, and every moment you spend with us keeps the project moving forward. Your enthusiasm for SHADE Protocol continues to shape the game in meaningful ways.Let’s get into this month’s updates!Development Highlights1. Feature Spotlight:The Machiner We took a look at the feedback on the sprite work plus some of the motions that we expect from how menacing and dangerous the Machiner should feel.This enemy will have attacks on its Mech form and on its Sentry mode, so it will be able to reposition and be a threat at all times.Arc BrawlerThe Arc Brawler is an oppressive powerhouse that mixes multiple fighting styles to push your experience to the limit. With a variety of mix-ups, heavy blocks that break your block, and grabs that scrape the floor with your self esteem, it will stop at nothing to get the glorious rest it craves!(Don’t worry, Zura’s perfectly fine. This was only a demonstration.)Arc TwinsArc Twins, a dangerous and oppressive enemy type that towers over Zura with force and grace. Each one of them has their own unique moveset, and they are definitely deadlier when they fight alongside each other.2. New Enemies, Threats, and Combat TypesPolish and feedback are key to combat and exploration. This month brought a mix of animation reworks and fresh effects:Spear Attack 2 Rework – Cleaned up animations for smoother combat flow.Shield Charge Attack – Adjusted and refined animation for more impactful movement.Zura Particle Effects – New visuals added to enhance her attacks and overall feel.Environmental Effects – Expanded effects, including axe gates, chakram barriers, door transitions, and ambient bramble particles that now look even more dangerous.(Hang in there, Zura!)3. Background & WorldbuildingThe world of SHADE Protocol continues to grow in both detail and atmosphere:Persistent Breakables – Destroyed objects now leave ...Read full article on Community Announcements (ExileCast)
