The Pale Piper launches on Steam – a dark platformer inspired by the Pied Piper legend in the spirit of Limbo, Hollow Knight and VVVVVV

FreeTimeDev, known for Godot tools and synthwave jams on Itch.io, released The Pale Piper – a 2D platformer combining the atmosphere of Limbo, mechanics of Hollow Knight and difficulty of VVVVVV. The game is now available on Steam for $6.99.

The Pale Piper serves as a sequel to the German legend of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. According to the tale, a musician rid a village of rats using his magical melodies, but when the villagers refused to pay, he led away all the local children. FreeTimeDev invites players to "silence the cursed melody" in a world after these events.

Players control a resurrected wraith with glowing blue eyes and an extendable jump ability. The journey involves exploring a metroidvania labyrinth filled with deadly traps – crushing blocks, spike pits, and enemies with glowing red eyes that kill on contact.

The key difference from Hollow Knight – the protagonist is completely unarmed. The only defense against dangers is pattern reading, precise timing, and the willingness to die countless times while respawning at zone entrances. Each area contains collectible coins for those seeking additional challenge. Unlockable traversal abilities include something resembling Sonic's homing attack and a variation on Metroid's morph ball.

The game stands out with its crumbling industrial fantasy atmosphere and menacing narrative. Early on, players free a man from a cage who asks them to track down and slay the Rat King. He remarks that silence is "the only law that still obeys me." Given the context of the original legend, the final twist might prove less obvious than it seems.