Metroidvania Action RPG ‘Blighted’ Delayed to 2027, Exploration and Progression

Drinkbox Studios has announced that its metroidvania action RPG Blighted has been delayed from Fall 2026 to 2027 for Switch 2 and PC via Steam. 

The studio plans to share more news in the new year, although another development update is scheduled before the end of 2026.

Alongside the release timing change, Drinkbox detailed how exploration and progression work across Blighted. Players travel through a series of large interconnected levels while pursuing the Memory Bandits. Each area contains its own challenges, secrets, permanent upgrades, and boss encounters.

Memory Trees function as checkpoints throughout these areas. Players can rest, improve their character, customize their current equipment, and fast travel back to Watcher’s Peak after reaching one. Shortcuts can also be opened to provide quicker routes back to previously reached Memory Trees.

Watcher’s Peak serves as the player’s home camp. Upgrade items found elsewhere can be brought to the last living Memory Tree there to increase survivability and provide additional combat capabilities.

Characters encountered while exploring can also be invited to Watcher’s Peak. These NPCs can help upgrade equipment and provide additional information through conversations.