30XX

Lore & Background

30XX follows the android main characters of 20XX, Nina and Ace, who awaken after a millennium to discover the world has changed irreversibly after the advent of the Synthetic Mind. The game was developed by Batterystaple Games as a sequel to their earlier title 20XX. Following complaints about the art style of 20XX, the art style was revamped for the sequel to be more similar to games such as Mega Man ZX, with sprites created by Glauber Kotaki, the artist of Rogue Legacy.

Reader's Guide

30XX is significant as a sequel that addressed criticisms of its predecessor, particularly the art style, which was revamped to resemble Mega Man ZX. The game offers two distinct modes: a traditional permadeath roguelike mode and a new 'Mega Mode' where levels are generated in advance and do not change upon death, providing an experience closer to classic Mega Man games. The early access release was positively received by critics, who called it an improvement over 20XX. TJ Denzer of Shacknews stated the game is 'sure to please any platforming fan whether you dig roguelikes or not,' and Mike Minotti of VentureBeat noted a 'nice visual boost' from its predecessor. The game's legacy lies in its blending of procedural generation with Mega Man-inspired design, offering flexibility for both roguelike and traditional platforming fans.

Did You Know?

• 30XX is the sequel to 20XX and was developed by Batterystaple Games.
• The game's art style was revamped after complaints about 20XX's art, with sprites by Rogue Legacy artist Glauber Kotaki.
• The Nintendo Switch release was delayed from August 9, 2023 to September 1, 2023.

Gameplay & Design Philosophy

30XX is a rogue-lite platform game developed by independent studio Batterystaple Games as the sequel to 20XX. Drawing clear inspiration from the Mega Man franchise, the game distinguishes itself through procedurally generated levels that reshape the player's path with every run. What sets the sequel apart from its predecessor is the inclusion of two distinct play modes. The first is a permadeath roguelike mode, where each death resets the procedurally generated content and forces the player to navigate entirely new terrain. The second, a feature absent from 20XX, is called Mega Mode. In this mode, the levels for the entire game are generated in advance and remain static even after death, delivering a progression experience that more closely mirrors the structured, stage-based design of classic Mega Man titles. This dual-mode approach allows players to choose between the chaotic, ever-shifting challenge of roguelike gameplay and a more traditional, predictable platforming structure, broadening the game's appeal across different player preferences.

Development & Art Evolution

Following player complaints about the visual presentation of 20XX, Batterystaple Games undertook a significant art overhaul for the sequel. The new visual direction was modeled to be more similar to games such as Mega Man ZX, signaling a deliberate shift in aesthetic philosophy. To execute this transformation, the studio brought in Glauber Kotaki, the artist behind Rogue Legacy, to create the character sprites. This collaboration marked a notable change in the game's visual identity, moving away from the style that had drawn criticism from the community. The result was a game that critics recognized as having a meaningful visual upgrade over its predecessor. Mike Minotti of VentureBeat specifically called out the nice visual boost that the sequel delivered compared to 20XX. The art revamp stands as a clear example of how an independent studio can respond directly to player feedback, iterating on its visual language between sequels to better align with audience expectations while still preserving the core identity of its franchise.

Release & Critical Reception

30XX entered the market through a phased release strategy, debuting in early access on Microsoft Windows via Steam on February 17, 2021. The full version arrived on August 9, 2023, with a Nintendo Switch port originally scheduled for the same day but ultimately delayed to September 1 of that year. The early access period generated positive critical attention, with reviewers consistently describing the game as an improvement over its predecessor, 20XX. TJ Denzer of Shacknews praised the title as sure to please any platforming fan whether you dig roguelikes or not, highlighting its broad appeal across different subgenres of the platforming space. Mike Minotti of VentureBeat echoed this sentiment while specifically noting the visual upgrade. The reception underscored that the game's dual-mode design and refined presentation resonated with both roguelike enthusiasts and traditional platforming fans, validating Batterystaple Games' design choices. The multi-platform rollout, despite the minor Switch delay, positioned 30XX as a cross-platform indie title with a dedicated following built during its early access window.

Narrative & World-Building

The story of 30XX continues the narrative established in 20XX, following the android protagonists Nina and Ace. In this sequel, the two characters awaken after a millennium to discover that the world around them has been fundamentally and irreversibly altered. The catalyst for this transformation is the advent of the Synthetic Mind, a development that has permanently reshaped the environment the protagonists must now navigate. This post-millennium awakening creates a narrative tension between what the characters knew and the radically changed reality they now inhabit. The setting positions 30XX as a direct continuation of the 20XX universe while introducing a new layer of consequence and discovery. The fact that the world has changed irreversibly after the Synthetic Mind's emergence suggests a permanent, unchangeable shift in the game's lore, distinguishing the sequel's narrative stakes from those of its predecessor. For players familiar with the 20XX storyline, 30XX offers a fresh chapter in the ongoing saga of Nina and Ace, one defined by the challenge of operating in a world that has moved on without them during their long dormancy.