From the co-creator of Celeste comes City of None, a metroidvania about a wooden adventurer in a dying metropolis

Noel Berry, co-creator of the acclaimed platformer Celeste, is moving into the metroidvania space with City of None. Extremely OK Games will publish the title, which Berry is developing alongside his brother Liam.

The game follows a wooden adventurer navigating a dying metropolis. Berry handles art duties, bringing the lush pixel art aesthetic that defined Celeste's visual identity. The metroidvania genre represents a significant departure from the precision platforming that made Celeste a critical and commercial success since its 2018 release.

This marks Berry's first major project outside the Celeste ecosystem. While Extremely OK Games itself hasn't announced new projects, the studio's publishing involvement signals continued investment in Berry's creative direction. Celeste's legacy carries weight in indie circles. The game sold over three million copies and built a devoted fanbase around its tight mechanics and mental health narrative.

City of None taps into the resurgent metroidvania market, which has seen consistent releases from major indie studios like Hollow Knight and Symphony of War. The genre's exploration-based structure and ability-gating offer different design opportunities than Celeste's linear level progression.

The wooden protagonist adds a distinctive visual hook. Combined with Berry's pixel art expertise, City of None has clear visual identity separation from contemporary metroidvanias. A dying metropolis setting suggests environmental storytelling potential, moving beyond Celeste's minimalist approach to narrative.

Extremely OK Games' publishing role indicates industry confidence in Berry's next venture. The team that crafted Celeste's nuanced platforming and accessibility features now faces the challenge of designing interconnected spaces and satisfying exploration loops.

Release details remain sparse, but the project enters a competitive metroidvania landscape. Success depends on whether Berry's artistic sensibilities and game design instincts translate to the genre's demands. Celeste fans will watch