Developers have blessed us with fantastic games over the years; it’s only fair they get their own special treat, too. Introducing Mainframes, a cute upcoming game inspired by Windows PC frames. But the new game can also be every other gamer’s next favorite pastime. It's incredibly charming, with plenty of potential for hours upon hours of fun. Check out everything we know about MainFrames below.
What is MainFrames?
MainFrames is an upcoming cozy clever, and fast-paced platformer game. It features Floppy, an adventurous program that needs your help to find its way around a computer’s operating system. Every stage will take place within the confines of a desktop screen as you navigate your way around menus and toolboxes.
So, you can expect to do a lot of resizing of windows and moving them around the screen, all using a mouse cursor. Moreover, the environments will have intricate detail and level design that push you to think outside the box. In the end, your goal will be to discover the purpose and true function of Floppy.
Story
MainFrames’s story follows Floppy, a program that wants to find the answers to their origin and purpose. So, they embark on a charming adventure, all within the confines of a desktop monitor. In a sense, it’s pretty clever, as it intertwines the journey of self-discovery and learning Floppy’s true identity. All along, you’ll unlock the story in a charming way,
Get ready to navigate different PC frames as you run into colorful characters and uncover hidden secrets. Every discovery will bring Floppy one step closer to learning its purpose and function in the digital world. According to Steam, you’ll meet characters who add humor and warmth to the story. The page refers to some of the characters as “cheeky daemons” whose job is to “maintain the system’s balance.” So, as a whole, you’re likely to have a pretty fun time.
Gameplay
MainFrames’ gameplay will majorly involve fast-paced platforming and some light puzzling. It’ll require you to move PC frames around a desktop monitor to create new pathways for Floppy to follow. The main character will then jump from one window to the next based on the programs you arrange.
Furthermore, you’ll explore diverse areas, each with a distinct style and graphics. Alongside different regions, you’ll also engage with “innovative mechanics” and uncover hidden secrets.
As you play, a relaxing soundtrack will roll on in the background. From the trailer, the music score finds the perfect balance between calm and fun. It’s the ideal backdrop for solving some of the puzzles and platforming challenges you’ll run into.
The game’s Steam page promises a “rewarding experience that’s hard to log off from.” Further, they promise a “short and sweet journey,” to which you can constantly return. With upgrades at each level, the game promises an engaging and “unforgettable digital quest.”
While the entire game will take place in a computer’s operating system, it’ll cater to gamers of all types. You don’t have to be a proficient game developer to enjoy the game. Moreover, the platforming is approachable to all, offering an easy landing but difficulty mastering.
Development
Developer Assoupi and publisher The Arcade Crew, will be working together to bring MainFrames to our doorsteps. Assoupi is based in France, having been founded in 2020, and still with Theophile Garnier as its developer. The upcoming game will be Assoupi’s first venture in the gaming development world. The studio pitched their idea to The Arcade Crew, and the publisher loved it.
The Arcade Crew, on the other hand, is a video game publisher that has brought several innovative games to market. Thanks to their expertise in publishing games like Blazing Chrome, The Last Spell, Vengeful Guardian, and Infernax, MainFrames is likely to enjoy as smooth a ride. The publisher is also working on several other games slotted for release in 2024 and beyond.
Assoupi and The Arcade Crew first announced that MainFrames was being developed at the Wholesome Games Steam Celebration 2024 event. The news came with the release of a teaser trailer showcasing some of the gameplay you can expect in the final game. Meanwhile, the game’s Steam store page reveals that a demo will be coming soon. So, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for that to participate.
Trailer
MainFrames - Reveal Trailer
By all means, check out MainFrames’ reveal trailer now on YouTube. Right off the bat, the game looks like a cool concept we seldom see in the gaming world. It showcases multiple windows, which you can resize and move around as you please. You’ll often use a cursor to navigate the screen, which could be troublesome on a controller.
Cursor-based gameplay is generally easier on a mouse and keyboard. Still, the gameplay incorporates some level of thought into your next move. It looks like it’ll really challenge players to some deep puzzle-solving and platforming stages.
The graphics and music score are top-notch, with a unique sense of style. At some point, you meet a cute blue bird that communicates with you via text. So, the game will likely not have voice acting. Overall, if the game is implemented well, MainFrames could easily stand out from the overwhelming number of games today.
Release Date, Platforms, & Editions
MainFrames is set to launch sometime in the first quarter of 2025. We don’t have an exact release date yet, but as soon as it’s announced, we’ll let you know. Also, the new game plans to launch on Nintendo Switch and PC platforms via Steam. So, you can start dusting off those platforms in preparation for its arrival.
Steam users, in particular, can add MainFrames to their wishlist as early as now to get a notification as soon as it drops. As for consoles and editions, they remain unconfirmed at this time. Still, you can always follow the official social handle here to keep track of new updates.