Constance Game Preview: A Unique Blend of Hollow Knight and Splatoon Mechanics

Constance, an upcoming action-adventure game, has left a lasting impression on me after playing a 20-minute demo at Gamescom. The game’s unique blend of Hollow Knight-like exploration and Splatoon-inspired paint-based mechanics has piqued my interest, and I’m excited to see how it develops.

A Quirky World with a Deep Story

In Constance, you play as the titular heroine, exploring a non-linear interconnected world that’s been overtaken with danger. The game’s story seems interesting, with each of the six biomes emulating different aspects of Constance’s psyche and personal history. The game’s mechanics, such as using brush techniques to overcome obstacles, also tie into the theme of burnout and perseverance.

Combat and Movement Mechanics

Combat in Constance feels like the frenetic flourishes and flicks of a paintbrush as an artist enters the flow state. The game’s movement upgrades, such as the ability to sink into the ground and become paint to slide under enemies, contribute to that sense of frenetic movement. The game also has a cool death mechanic, where you can choose to return to the last checkpoint at full health or continue from where you died with reduced health.

Visuals and Upgrades

Constance is a visually stunning game, with a 2D hand-drawn art style that paints the biomes in a variety of colors. The game’s upgrades, such as the one that allows you to access previously unreachable areas, are also well-designed and contribute to the sense of progression.

Constance is scheduled to launch for PC in Q4 2025, and I’m excited to see how the game develops.