Indie Retro News: Adrian and a Friend in Need

Following the huge success of the 2026 platforming hit Crystian and the Lost Crystals, developer Marcel Sásik has officially announced a direct follow-up: Adrian and a Friend in Need. This upcoming Commodore 64 release promises to entirely reinvent the formula, introducing a brand-new, ultra-athletic protagonist to replace the slow, grid-locked exploration of the original game! While the art style intentionally mirrors the aesthetic of its predecessor to maintain continuity, every single mechanic under the hood has been entirely rewritten. The sequel introduces major technological advancements for the C64 hardware such as, fluid movements, high-resolution assets with a vibrant multicolor engine to deliver unprecedented screen detail, faster map scrolling with more deadly environments, a completely rewritten enemy architecture utilizing an “active enemy list, and so much more.

In the previous game, players controlled Crystian, an ordinary boy who cared deeply about his precious stones but lacked traditional platforming prowess. Watching him struggle through dangerous caverns was like watching a movie in slow motion. His stiff, clunky mechanics sometimes made basic climbing and jumping an absolute chore. Enter Adrian. Unable to watch his friend hopelessly struggle any longer, this nimble new hero is stepping into the spotlight. Adrian is on a completely different level—highly athletic, agile, and built for intense action!

The development build currently features the energetic, borrowed track Gremlinfunk (2013) by legendary chiptune composer Johan Samuelson (Stinsen) to set the pace. Words can only do so much justice to this impressive technical leap, so Commodore 64 owners are highly encouraged to check out the newly released developer gameplay video provided above to see the engine in action!

Coming Soon…