Fossil Echo
Released Jul 2016
Follow a boy's wordless journey as he climbs an ancient tower stretching above the clouds. Fossil Echo is a story-driven, short and challenging 2D platformer with hand drawn visuals. Why, and how did he get there? What will he find at the top?
63% positive · 133 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Where to buy
Steam $9.99
Can't confirm — worth a look
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Evaluation
Fossil Echo launched on July 8, 2016 as a self-contained, story-driven platformer. The developer shipped a significant post-launch update on November 5, 2016 adding an Easy Mode and gameplay refinements, and then completed a Mac & Linux port on March 15, 2017. The March 2017 post mentioned an upcoming console release, but no further developer communications have appeared since that date — nearly a decade ago — and no console release was ever announced in any subsequent post. The sole DLC, the Special Edition Content Pack (soundtrack and making-of material), released on launch day alongside the base game. There are no unreleased DLC items, no roadmaps, no announced future content, and no post-launch content cycle beyond the platform port. The game was clearly designed and delivered as a complete, finite experience, and the developer's post-launch activity concluded with the Mac & Linux release in March 2017.
Evidence
Fossil Echo launched on Steam as a complete, standalone story-driven platformer.
Post-launch update added Easy Mode and gameplay tweaks, improving the experience without adding new story content.
Content
1 of 1 released · no outstanding content
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Awaceb
Achievements
14
Platform
Windows, macOS, Linux
Controller
full support
Steam Deck
Not rated
Players
Single-player
About this game
Fossil Echo is a short and challenging story driven platformer with hand drawn 2D graphics. Set in a fantastical world, it tells a wordless tale of adventure and mystery.
Influenced by the Oddworld series, Ico, and Shadow of the Collosus, as well as Studio Ghibli films, Fossil Echo tells the story of a young boy and his journey to climb a giant tower in the middle of the sea. How and why he got there are questions that will be answered via playable flashbacks during his ascent. The game offers over 15 minutes of fully animated cutscenes and the story is told without any dialogue or written text.
Fossil Echo mixes old-school, "die & retry" platforming gameplay with some stealth elements. As in Abe's Oddysee and Another World, you have little margin for error; precise movement and timing is required to get through and avoid confrontation, as the character is young, weak, and unable to fight or kill, most of the time...
Fossil Echo features a detailed art style, with pre-rendered/hand painted backgrounds and hand animated 2D characters. Adopting the style of animated film, it presents an array diverse environments, from lush forest to snow covered tower. With no HUD or any indications displayed on screen, the game aims at immersing you from start to finish.
The world of Fossil Echo is brought to life by over two hours of unique, original music by John Robert Matz (Gunpoint, Rodina) and sound design by Gordon McGladdery (Rogue Legacy, Fantastic Contraption). Music and sound work in concert to set the mood and highlight the story and actions during gameplay and cutscenes.
Fossil Echo is developed by Phil Crifo (Story, Art & Design), Thierry Boura (Programming), John Robert Matz (Music), and A Shell In The Pit (Sound Design).
Features
- Varied and detailed environments
- Hand animated 2D characters
- Over 15 minutes of fully animated cutscenes
- A wordless, mysterious story
- Breathtaking orchestral score
- Very dynamic and demanding platforming gameplay
- Tense stealth mechanics
- Easy Mode lets you enjoy the story without worrying too much about the challenge.
- Well hidden secrets and unlockables
- No HUD or on-screen indications
- Speedrun-Friendly (in-game timers...)
Story
Influenced by the Oddworld series, Ico, and Shadow of the Collosus, as well as Studio Ghibli films, Fossil Echo tells the story of a young boy and his journey to climb a giant tower in the middle of the sea. How and why he got there are questions that will be answered via playable flashbacks during his ascent. The game offers over 15 minutes of fully animated cutscenes and the story is told without any dialogue or written text.
Gameplay
Fossil Echo mixes old-school, "die & retry" platforming gameplay with some stealth elements. As in Abe's Oddysee and Another World, you have little margin for error; precise movement and timing is required to get through and avoid confrontation, as the character is young, weak, and unable to fight or kill, most of the time...
Art
Fossil Echo features a detailed art style, with pre-rendered/hand painted backgrounds and hand animated 2D characters. Adopting the style of animated film, it presents an array diverse environments, from lush forest to snow covered tower. With no HUD or any indications displayed on screen, the game aims at immersing you from start to finish.
Sound
The world of Fossil Echo is brought to life by over two hours of unique, original music by John Robert Matz (Gunpoint, Rodina) and sound design by Gordon McGladdery (Rogue Legacy, Fantastic Contraption). Music and sound work in concert to set the mood and highlight the story and actions during gameplay and cutscenes.
Fossil Echo is developed by Phil Crifo (Story, Art & Design), Thierry Boura (Programming), John Robert Matz (Music), and A Shell In The Pit (Sound Design).
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Jun 27, 2026
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