Ethan Crossfield 
Indie 2D platformers are having a moment, and a new hand-drawn project is quickly drawing comparisons to some of the genre’s most loved art styles. The Eternal Life of Goldman is already getting buzz from players who say its visuals feel on par with Studio Ghibli-level animation, while others point to Cuphead and Hollow Knight as the clear touchstones.
A hand-drawn platformer built around animation craft
The Eternal Life of Goldman is a new 2D platformer being developed by Weappy Studio. Even before release, fans have been vocal about what they’re seeing—many compare the game’s presentation to Cuphead and Hollow Knight, and some go further by claiming the visuals match the quality associated with Studio Ghibli animation.
Weappy’s development approach appears to be the reason. The studio previously worked on Hollywood Animal, a strategic city builder focused on film production. For that title, Weappy created thousands of handcrafted posters and also manually adjusted 2D buildings to create a sense of perspective. With The Eternal Life of Goldman, the studio’s emphasis on visual detail seems to be carrying forward, and players are responding to the effort.
On Steam, the game has an available free demo and is already sitting at an 88% positive rating based on player feedback. That early reception is largely tied to the same thing fans are highlighting in the comparisons—attention to detail in both the hand-drawn look and the way the world is laid out.
Gameplay features: Metroidvania exploration with classic 2D tools
While The Eternal Life of Goldman is not presented as a traditional Metroidvania, it does include Metroidvania elements that encourage exploration. The core gameplay is framed as a hand-drawn 2D platformer with classic frame-by-frame animation.
The game’s design includes a customizable cane that functions as both the player’s weapon and platforming tool. Beyond that, the feature list points to hand-drawn visuals and map design, boss fights, and a multi-layered narrative structure.
Weappy has also explained the intent behind the project: they aimed to create an uncompromising 2D game centered on beauty by returning to the genre’s roots and choosing the hardest route—meticulously drawing, coloring, and animating by hand using classic frame-by-frame techniques. In practice, that philosophy is what’s fueling the early “unbelievable visuals” reaction from the community.
Hollow Knight comparisons extend beyond the look
The Eternal Life of Goldman’s world has been described by fans as fairy tale-inspired, and that tone has led to comparisons with Hollow Knight. Even though the game leans more toward the platformer side than a classic Metroidvania, character designs and certain environment choices are drawing attention.
NPC design, in particular, seems to be a focal point for players who love Hollow Knight’s balance of cute and unsettling. Those shared design instincts are part of why the franchise comparisons keep coming up, even while the game remains unreleased.
2026 launch window and where to play
Weappy Studio has not confirmed an exact release date for The Eternal Life of Goldman, but it has stated the game will launch in 2026. An Amazon listing currently shows a December 31, 2026 date, which appears to function as a placeholder rather than a firm confirmation.
For platforms, The Eternal Life of Goldman is expected to launch on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. The game also has a 90-minute demo available on most of these platforms. For Xbox players specifically, the project is set to join Game Pass as a day-one title in 2026.
Key points
- A new hand-drawn 2D platformer, The Eternal Life of Goldman, is drawing Cuphead and Hollow Knight comparisons.
- Fans highlight the game’s frame-by-frame animation and overall visual polish, with some referencing Studio Ghibli-level quality.
- Gameplay centers on platforming and exploration, including Metroidvania-style elements, boss fights, and a customizable cane tool.
- The game is slated for 2026, with a free demo already available and an expected day-one Game Pass launch on Xbox.
Confirmed details from the current reporting
| Item | What’s known |
|---|---|
| Release window | 2026 (exact date not officially confirmed) |
| Platforms (expected) | PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S |
| Demo | A 90-minute demo is available on most of the expected platforms |
| Xbox program | Game Pass day-one in 2026 |
Expert View
What The Eternal Life of Goldman signals for the market is clear: players are rewarding studios that invest in traditional, labor-intensive animation and world-building rather than chasing trends with purely technical effects. In a genre where presentation is often part of the identity, the early Steam response suggests that “handcrafted” isn’t just a marketing phrase—it’s becoming a community expectation. If the game lands in 2026 as planned, it could intensify the competition among indie 2D platformers by setting a high bar for both art direction and animation quality, while also pulling Hollow Knight and Cuphead fans into a new project built around similar craft.
