Indivisible
A 2D action RPG blending platforming and Valkyrie Profile-style combat.
Indivisible is an action role-playing platformer released in 2019, developed by Lab Zero Games and published by 505 Games. It was the studio’s final project before its dissolution. The game blends 2D platforming exploration with a combat system inspired by *Valkyrie Profile*. Its hand-drawn visuals were created by Lab Zero Games, with additional animation from Japanese studio Trigger and American studio Titmouse, Inc.
The story follows Ajna, raised by the warrior Indr after he found her as an abandoned baby following a battle that sealed the goddess Kala on Mount Sumeru. Sixteen years later, an army led by Dhar kills Indr, and Ajna’s power absorbs Dhar into a pocket dimension within her mind. She forces him to guide her to the warlord Ravannavar, who ordered the attack. After killing Ravannavar, Ajna learns she is actually a fragment of Kala that broke off during the goddess’s imprisonment, and that Ravannavar used her to unseal Kala. Dhar defects to Ajna’s side. Guided by the Deva Thorani and the former warrior Angwu, Ajna activates three chakra gates to prepare for Kala. During an initial confrontation, Ajna loses control and becomes a destructive monster; Dhar sacrifices himself to stop her. After recovering, Ajna atones by helping those she harmed, discovering that Kala influenced her foes. She returns to Sumeru for a final battle, merges with Kala, and the two disappear. A post-credits scene shows them living together in an unknown location.
Gameplay splits into two modes. In the overworld, Ajna moves as a 2D platformer, gaining new abilities to explore further. When enemies appear, combat shifts to an action RPG where each party member is controlled by a specific button; pressing it moves them toward the enemy for an attack. Button order determines combos, and holding up or down modifies attacks. Upgrades allow multiple hits. Defense includes blocking with a single character or the whole party. A meter fills during battle, enabling super attacks.
Development began with an announcement at Anime Expo on July 2, 2015. The story drew from Southeast Asian mythology. Composer Hiroki Kikuta, known for *Secret of Mana*, scored the soundtrack. A crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo launched October 5, 2015, with a playable prototype. The initial 40-day period raised about $764,000, but after a 20-day extension, the goal was reached on December 2, 2015.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Lab Zero GamesDragon's Lake Entertainment co-developed the Switch version.
- Publisher
- 505 Games
- Platforms
- Linux · macOS · Windows · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One · Nintendo Switch
- Released
- Linux, macOS, Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox OneNA · October 8, 2019 · PAL · October 11, 2019Nintendo SwitchWW · April 28, 2020
- Genre
- Action role-playing, platform
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
- Director
- Mike Zaimont · Mariel Kinuko Cartwright
- Producer
- Francesca Esquenazi
- Designer
- Mike Zaimont
- Programmer
- Cassandra Matthews · Robert Thomas · Mike Zaimont
- Artist
- Mariel Kinuko Cartwright
- Writer
- Mariel Kinuko Cartwright · Brandon Sheffield
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Indivisible was announced by Lab Zero Games during their Skullgirls panel at Anime Expo on July 2, 2015. The developer launched an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign on October 5, 2015, with a goal of $1.5 million; publisher 505 Games would contribute the remaining development budget if the goal was met. The campaign initially raised approximately $764,000 by November 8, 2015, but was extended for 20 days after receiving roughly $963,000 in pledges, eventually reaching its goal on December 2, 2015. The game was released on October 8, 2019 in North America and three days later in Europe. The Nintendo Switch version was surprise-released on April 28, 2020 without input from Lab Zero Games, launching with missing features that were later added via updates due to an accidental early release. On October 9, 2020, 505 Games cancelled all future updates and content following Lab Zero Games' dissolution, which occurred 11 days before the Amazon Luna port was released on October 20, 2020. Cancelled downloadable content included guest characters such as Shovel Knight, Red from Transistor, Annie from Skullgirls, the Drifter from Hyper Light Drifter, and Shantae, among others announced in early November 2015. A scrapped animated series adaptation was announced on July 17, 2020 for the Peacock streaming service, with Meg LeFauve and Jonathan Fernandez as writers and executive producers, produced by DJ2 Entertainment and Legendary Television; its status is assumed to be cancelled due to Lab Zero Games' closure.
Reader's Guide
Indivisible is notable as the final game developed by Lab Zero Games, the studio best known for the 2012 fighting game Skullgirls. The game's storyline was influenced by southeast Asian mythology and other cultures, and its soundtrack was composed by Hiroki Kikuta, known for Secret of Mana. The opening animation was directed by Yoh Yoshinari of Little Witch Academia. The game received generally favorable reviews according to Metacritic, with praise for its art style, animation, music, and combat, though criticism was directed at backtracking and some combat issues. It was nominated for Character Design and Game, Original Role Playing at the NAVGTR Awards. The game's development and post-release history is marked by the dissolution of Lab Zero Games, which led to the cancellation of all future updates and content, including several planned guest characters. The Nintendo Switch version's accidental early release and the subsequent discontinuation of support highlight the turbulent end of the studio's operations.
Did You Know?
- Indivisible was the final game developed by Lab Zero Games before their dissolution.
- A scrapped animated series adaptation was announced for Peacock in July 2020.
- The Nintendo Switch version was accidentally released on its original planned date, missing features that were later added via updates.
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