Echoes of the Unread Dev Blog #3 Explores Mechanics And The Challenges Of Developing The NES

Retro-focused indie game publisher and developer Mega Cat Studios and Clever Cat Games are excited to announce that the third episode of the Echoes of the Unread developer blog is now live, offering even more insight into the creation of this enchanted NES adventure platformer, now on Kickstarter. 

In this latest dev blog entry, Clever Cat Studios' Matt Tuttle gets delightfully technical, unpacking the creative and coding hurdles of building Echoes of the Unread for the NES. From handcrafting custom tilesets to navigating the quirks of 8-bit limitations, Matt shares how he brought his retro vision to life—debugging, disassembling, and digging deep into the hardware every step of the way.

But it's not just about code. Matt also breaks down Echoes of the Unread’s game mechanics, including its layered approach to exploration, memorable boss battles, and the unlockable Retro Mode. This hardcore feature, which becomes available after collecting every hidden page and beating the game, introduces a brutal new twist—permadeath, pushing even the most seasoned players to their limits.

Echoes of the Unread, Coming Soon To Kickstarter | "Turn The Page To A New Chapter Of 8-Bit NES Adventure!" 📚📖 @megacatstudios #IndieGame #RetroGaming

The retro gaming scribe Matt Tuttle at Clever Cat Games, in partnership with Mega Cat Studios and Video Game Sage, is hard at work penning a novel new adventure for the NES with Echoes of the Unread.

Coming to Kickstarter in Q1 2025, Echoes of the Unread turns the page to a fantastical chapter of 8-bit adventure. Step into the shoes of Rhapsody, a young girl who, after falling asleep while studying for exams, awakens to find she’s been trapped in the library by the magician Odele, who is angry and alone because her book never gets checked out from the library. The bitter magician schemes to obtain a magic quill from the library that can change her book and set her free. However, Odele’s freedom comes with a price, as doing so will trap Rhapsody within the Unread Book for all eternity!