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Initially a bright cartoon-like idea, about a boy saving Pixel City from an undefined evil named Omni Corp, Project Blue evolved into a dark and gritty cyberpunk storyline. Physical cartridges are being made thanks to 744 backers pledging US$42,592 on Kickstarter.

Ellen Larsson (Frakengraphics) lives in Sweden and Donny Phillips (Toggle Switch) lives in the USA - they have never met in real life. This is their first NES commercial game release together.

Alert! Alert! Code RED! Subject B has escaped! Evacuation in progress... 256 screens of post apocalyptic platforming run 'n gun shmup greatness awaits - depicted in four distinctive themes revolving around a war-ravaged Neo Hong Kong.

Your task: Escape your evil captors Omni Corp where they turn kids into experimental weapons. Platform freedom begins inside the military research laboratory called Theta Lab. It sets the scene of an often dark environment, with many evil enemies on each screen.

The basic enemy - two types of killer drones (one can be destroyed, the other can't be), jumping green slime and weaponized turrets (stationary and mobile) are found here.

As you progress through your escape route many of the same evil enemies appear as you enter other levels, and new enemies are introduced. Dezone: A rooftop battle with a war ravaged city scape backdrop. A brighter environment but still maintaining that gritty apocalyptic feeling with whirring saw blades, electricity and a homing style enemy featured. Underground: Mixes water gameplay with platform gaming, the subtle changes in block colours give this environment its own uniqueness. The final battle inside Omni Headquarters is a futuristic setting but cleverly depicts the evil within.

Each level has specific interactable objects. These include: Breakable blocks, Wind Stream, Parachute, Trampoline, Propeller, Elevator Platforms and Toggle Switches. Ladders are scattered throughout most screens aiding your quest to survive.

Intermittent red lasers, conveyor belts, spikes and hazardous liquid waste are other items within the Omni Corp facilities stopping you from winning your freedom. At certain points of the game you are required to unlock yellow lasers that will allow you safe passage through a checkpoint. These screens usually have a white item to walk over allowing you to pass through. Collecting 100 Neo Cents (a C with a line through it), will add an extra life to the three lives you start with. Small heart-shaped crystals can be found in some rooms adding to your health bar.

No matter which path you take, you'll end up making progress. This level design keeps the gameplay fun and interesting. Run 'n jump physics work without a hitch allowing you to speed up or hit the brakes. If you're thinking it's all platformer, well it predominantly is, but the variety between levels is engrossing and be prepared to encounter different boss battles. Have you ever seen or heard a better combination of graphics and sounds to portray a postapocalyptic war ravaged worldscape? It's mesmerising right from the start.

Every single element of the game is a masterpiece. And the action is accompanied by truly era-defining music and sound effects. It makes all your gaming worries (and some real life ones) disappear.

Flip screen instead of scrolling works wonders as you organically figure out how to play to accomplish each screen which is matched by playability so spot on, it's very hard to put down once you start playing. The dark story plot captivates your imagination, building your adrenalin as you encounter each new screen.

Climbing ladders is brilliant; you aren't consumed with getting it pixel perfect. All the different enemies, all the little puzzles you need to solve, all the features to help you on your quest - it's just superb. Boss battles make your journey all that more rewarding.

If I have any gripes about the game, it's the restart and checkpoints - it seems to be unclear. They are indicated via audio but greater clarity would make for a better gaming experience. Ellen Larsson explains this in more detail. Please read her section in this review.

Wow! Four fantastic levels, with so much going on throughout. How did they cram it all in?! Outstanding platform gaming at its very best.

Project Blue is an original, fun game that blows my mind with its gritty, dark, post-apocalyptic plot, fantastic gameplay, numerous boss battles, smooth controls, exceptional graphics, incredible sounds and many in-game wonders to discover. It's what great platform games are all about!