‘Knights and Bikes’ is a charming co-op game set in ’80s Britain

Every so often we’ll spot a game in the bowels of Kickstarter which, despite all of the problems associated with crowdfunding, grabs our attention and won’t let go. Knights and Bikes is one of those projects because, well, just look at the screenshots. Everything about it is just adorably British. Conceived by Rex Crowle and Moo Yu, two fellows from LittleBigPlanet developer Media Molecule, the pitch promises a co-op adventure about two friends on an island near Cornwall. Set in the late 1980s, they’re tasked with saving their quaint town from spooky spirits and financial ruin. Think The Goonies, with a sprinkling of Earthbound and Secret of Mana.

The art style looks top-notch and the island, filled with rickety old caravans, mobile libraries and sweet stores, does a good job of evoking the time and place. In the game you’ll be pedalling around on your trusty bike, helping villagers and battling through “dungeons” with an assortment of crazy weapons, such as frisbees, wellington boots and power gloves. Completing quests and collecting treasure will help you acquire new abilities, such as bike upgrades (the saddle of command! Spoke trinkets!) that will help you explore more of the island and its mysteries.

Crowle was the creative lead on Tearaway and a key artist for the LittleBigPlanet franchise. Yu, meanwhile, was a lead gameplay programmer for Sackboy’s adventures and the Insomniac title Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction. Despite their combined experience, there’s no guarantee the game will materialize. That’s the way with all Kickstarters and, looking back on previous failures and delays, we wouldn’t blame you for being skeptical. Still, if you want to support the pair, you can back the project right now and help it towards its £100,000 goal.

Via: Kotaku

Source: Knights and Bikes (Kickstarter)