Fans of Retro Studios, the team behind Metroid Prime, are taking a deep dive into a leaked version of Harmony, a 3D platformer that was ultimately scrapped.
Recently, a user shared over four hours of gameplay from this unfinished build, giving fans an unprecedented glimpse into what Harmony could have been.
Harmony was reportedly a linear 3D platformer under development during the Wii U generation, but plans were shelved once the team redirected their efforts toward the highly anticipated Metroid Prime 4.
Though a polished version of Harmony is unlikely to ever be released, its unfinished prototype has surfaced online, captivating gamers who are eager to showcase what may have been.
“This is purely for preservation purposes,” states Twitch streamer Stumblyn, who played through the leaked build and subsequently uploaded the footage to YouTube. (Given that other gameplay videos have been removed, this one might not be around for long either.)
The protagonist of Harmony is a vibrant red-headed heroine armed with the ability to communicate with nature through song. In one captivating segment, players witness her singing to summon a variety of woodland creatures, who join in harmony to create a spiny vine that she can traverse to progress.
The enchanting power of music also facilitates summoning larger animals that players can ride and control during battles. One standout character is a mossy troll reminiscent of Sully from Monsters Inc. Not only is he a formidable ally, but he’s also essential for solving puzzles, as he can lift hefty objects.
In another memorable scene, our heroine rides this forest troll to retrieve a large acorn. With a quick melody, she encourages it to sprout into a towering tree, allowing her to scale its branches.
Nintendo, the parent company of Retro Studios, typically remains tight-lipped about projects that never see the light of day.
Meanwhile, Retro Studios is finalizing Metroid Prime 4, scheduled for release sometime in 2025 for both Switch and Switch 2.
