Kotama and Academy Citadel

Developer: Atomstring Games

Publisher: 2P Games

Jan 15, 2026

Visual

2.5D
side scroll

Structure

ability gated
exploration
interconnected map
non linear
fast travel

Combat

action
parry
two stick

Features

difficulty options
equipment

Themes

Sci-Fi

Sub-Genre

Summary

In the Academy Citadel, strength reigns supreme: only the most powerful survive and thrive. Fight your way through the high-tech Academy in your quest to get the highest of honors for a student, and uncover secrets that can save it in its direst crisis in this 2.5D side-scrolling Metroidvania.

Last updated August 17, 2026

Where to play

- Windows
- Linux
- Steam Deck
- Steam

Resources

Links

Maps

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MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- non linear
- 2.5D
- side scroll
- fast travel
- action
- parry
- equipment
- RPG
- Differences
- Demo Available
- hand drawn
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- fantasy
- gore
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Developer: Dark Pigeon Games

Publisher: ESDigital Games

2024

83%

Very Positive

1,230 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- interconnected map
- non linear
- 2.5D
- side scroll
- fast travel
- parry
- difficulty options
- equipment
- Sci-Fi
- Differences
- hand drawn
- Has Hub
- fantasy
- multiple endings
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Developer: TiGames

Publisher: Bilibili Game

2021

86%

Very Positive

7,151 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- 2.5D
- side scroll
- fast travel
- parry
- difficulty options
- equipment
- RPG
- Differences
- Demo Available
- boss gated
- combo combat
- skill tree
- steampunk
- Semi-Linear
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Developer / Publisher: Quintillion Games

To be announced

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- interconnected map
- non linear
- side scroll
- fast travel
- equipment
- RPG
- Differences
- pixel
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Developer: Muro Studios

Publisher: Iceberg Interactive

2023

80%

Mostly Positive

374 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- non linear
- side scroll
- fast travel
- action
- two stick
- Differences
- Demo Available
- hand drawn
- fantasy
Dust: An Elysian Tail

Developer: Humble Hearts

Publisher: Humble Hearts, Microsoft Studios

2012

95%

Overwhelmingly Positive

19,036 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- non linear
- side scroll
- parry
- difficulty options
- equipment
- RPG
- Differences
- hand drawn
- companion combat
- fantasy
- leveling
Somber Echoes

Developer: Rock Pocket Games

Publisher: Bonus Stage Publishing

2025

83%

Very Positive

335 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- non linear
- 2.5D
- side scroll
- fast travel
- action
- parry
- Sci-Fi
- Differences
- Demo Available
- multiple endings
- Souls-like
Shattered Divinities

Developer: 白石组

Publisher: TrueColor Games

May 15, 2026

95%

Very Positive

804 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- non linear
- side scroll
- fast travel
- action
- difficulty options
- RPG
- Differences
- pixel
- contact damage
- companion combat
- fantasy
- map markers
Valdis Story: Abyssal City

Developer / Publisher: Endlessfluff Games

2013

84%

Very Positive

2,712 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- non linear
- side scroll
- action
- parry
- difficulty options
- equipment
- RPG
- Differences
- item gated
- pixel
- fantasy
- leveling
- multiple characters
- skill tree
Ato

Developer / Publisher: Tiny Warrior Games

2020

97%

Very Positive

472 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- non linear
- side scroll
- fast travel
- parry
- difficulty options
- equipment
- Differences
- Demo Available
- hand drawn
- pixel
- accessibility
- isolation
- puzzle heavy
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Developer / Publisher: QUARTOMUNDO

To be announced

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- non linear
- 2.5D
- side scroll
- action
- parry
- equipment
- RPG
- Differences
- stamina system
- fantasy
- Souls-like
Imp of the Sun

Developer / Publisher: Sunwolf Entertainment

2022

66%

Mixed

244 reviews

MV Temperature
- Similarities
- ability gated
- exploration
- interconnected map
- non linear
- side scroll
- fast travel
- difficulty options
- Differences
- hand drawn

Kotama and Academy Citadel

Summary

Where to play

Resources

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