Indie Developer Launches N64-Inspired Zelda-Like RPG on Kickstarter Following Last Year’s Wind Waker and Kiki’s Delivery Service Fusion

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I was already intrigued by this new Zelda-inspired indie RPG making waves on Kickstarter, but my excitement skyrocketed when I discovered it’s being developed by the same Spanish studio behind Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, one of my favorite indie gems from last year that blended Wind Waker and Kiki’s Delivery Service into an irresistibly charming adventure.

I’m not alone in my enthusiasm for Bel’s Fanfare; its Kickstarter campaign was funded at an astonishing 600% in just three days, amassing over $500,000—more than ten times its original goal.

While Mika and the Witch’s Mountain drew clear inspiration from GameCube-era Zelda, Bel’s Fanfare gives developer Chibig a chance to pay homage to N64 classics like Majora’s Mask and Ocarina of Time. “By now, you should know that we are obsessed with the Nintendo 64 era,” the studio states. “We want to bring back the good times by recreating the most iconic elements of the games we cherished as kids.”

What I appreciate most about Mika and the Witch’s Mountain is its ability to honor its influences without feeling derivative. With Bel’s Fanfare, Chibig seems to be carving its own path with a narrative centered around a once-renowned magical ship called The Witch of the Sea, now afflicted by a mysterious aura that you, as the ship’s stoker’s daughter, must cleanse. It has a Ghibli-like charm, yet remains wonderfully quirky and distinct.

The visuals and music clearly draw from N64-era Zelda, featuring quirky characters with oversized heads and whimsical orchestral scores that stand out in the trailer.

Interestingly, the gameplay of Bel’s Fanfare reminds me of Luigi’s Mansion. Your mission involves exploring the entire ship and purging each room of aura, which can sometimes be hostile and requires combat. Given Chibig’s love for classic Nintendo titles, it wouldn’t surprise me if the loop of cleansing haunted spaces from Luigi’s Mansion served as inspiration, which would be pretty awesome.

I haven’t been this excited for a new indie project in a while, but unfortunately, we’ll have to wait a bit longer. Chibig plans to launch Bel’s Fanfare on Switch 1 and 2, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC in October 2027.

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

Here are some more upcoming indie games to keep on your radar.

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