Let’s talk about game preservation. There’s a big movement going on right now to try to get older titles from past gaming eras preserved so that the efforts of past game developers and creators won’t be lost forever. It’s a noble endeavor that can be handled in different ways, including what’s happening with Orpheus: To Hell and Back. Studio Loading, Kibou Entertainment, and Alunite Inc. have come together to bring this title from the OG Game Boy era to Steam next week.

And yes, that’s Orpheus, not Pit from Nintendo’s franchise. Totally different! Anyway, Orpheus: To Hell and Back arrives on July 12th, after getting funded for “rebirth” on Kickstarter. If you’re not familiar with the original version, here’s a synopsis and trailer:

“Set in a stylized vision of ancient Greece and the underworld, players take control of Orpheus as he descends into Hades to rescue his lost love. The game blends classic puzzle-solving with action elements, featuring environmental challenges and enemies that can be manipulated through the magical power of Orpheus’ lyre. Players can perform different melodies to charm, put enemies to sleep, or instill fear, opening multiple strategic paths through each level.”

Pretty cool, huh? As you can see, the game truly feels like it’s a retro action-adventure platforming title, and yet, it’s something you can play on your modern PC with no issues. Fun times!

Other elements of the game include:

• Music-based combat: Use three lyre melodies to charm, slow, or repel enemies and push them into traps.
• Action-puzzle gameplay: Navigate the depths of Hades across a series of puzzle levels.
• 80s chibi-anime aesthetic: Adorable pixel art and original chiptune music.
• Retro authenticity: Originally released as a physical Game Boy Color cartridge.
• Available in English and Japanese.

The game will be just $2.99 at launch. Don’t miss out!