I was already fascinated by the buzz surrounding this new Zelda-inspired indie RPG on Kickstarter, but my anticipation skyrocketed when I realized it was being crafted by the same talented Spanish studio responsible for Mika and the Witch’s Mountain. That title was one of my standout indie experiences last year, masterfully blending the aesthetic of Wind Waker with the whimsical spirit of Kiki’s Delivery Service to create a truly enchanting adventure.
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It seems I’m far from alone in my enthusiasm for Bel’s Fanfare. Its Kickstarter campaign exploded out of the gate, reaching 600% of its funding goal within a mere three days. As of now, the project has secured over $500,000 in pledges—more than ten times its original target.
While their previous project drew inspiration from the GameCube era of Zelda, Bel’s Fanfare is developer Chibig’s love letter to N64-era masterpieces like Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask. “By now, it should be clear that we are captivated by the Nintendo 64 era,” the studio remarked. “We want to revive that nostalgic magic by capturing the distinct essence of the games that defined our childhoods.”
What makes Chibig’s work so compelling is their ability to pay homage to classic influences without feeling like a mere imitation. Bel’s Fanfare follows its own unique path, telling the story of The Witch of the Sea, a once-magnificent magical vessel now corrupted by a strange substance known as ‘aura.’ Players take on the role of the stoker’s daughter, tasked with purging this corruption. The vibe is undeniably Ghibli-esque, yet it possesses a wonderfully eccentric identity all its own.
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The game’s visual style and audio direction are clear nods to the N64 Zelda titles, featuring charmingly stylized character designs and a whimsical orchestral soundtrack that takes center stage in the latest trailer.
Interestingly, the gameplay descriptions for Bel’s Fanfare remind me quite a bit of Luigi’s Mansion. Your primary objective involves navigating the sprawling ship and cleansing each chamber of aura, which often results in combat encounters. Given the developers’ deep-seated appreciation for classic Nintendo titles, it’s easy to imagine that the loop of clearing haunted environments was a significant influence—a prospect that sounds incredibly promising.
I haven’t been this genuinely excited for an indie release in quite some time, though we’ll have to be patient for its arrival. Chibig is currently aiming to launch Bel’s Fanfare on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and both current and next-gen Nintendo Switch consoles in October 2027.
Looking for more to play? Check out our list of the most anticipated upcoming indie games to keep an eye on.
Source: gamesradar.com
