Recently, aside from financing negotiations, Mei Fang’s workload as an executive had lightened, allowing him to focus on building the reputation of the Ximilu project team while pursuing his own gaming dreams.
He wanted to create a Metroidvania-style game.
As the genre’s name suggests, this type of game draws inspiration from classic console titles like Metroid and Castlevania.
The gameplay revolves around a sprawling, interconnected 2D world where progress is gated by obstacles—doors, barriers, or environmental puzzles—that can only be bypassed after acquiring specific items, tools, weapons, or abilities.
These upgrades not only help players overcome tougher enemies but also unlock shortcuts, secrets, and reasons to revisit previously explored areas.
By tightly integrating storytelling with level design, Metroidvanias encourage exploration and experimentation through meticulously crafted stages and responsive controls, immersing players in their roles.
Compared to sprawling, budget-busting 3D open-world action RPGs, Metroidvanias offer a compact yet richly detailed “world in a box,” often yielding critically acclaimed indie gems.
Among these, the Ori and Hollow Knight series stand out—renowned for their stunning visuals, evocative soundtracks, and ingenious level design.
In his past life, Mei Fang was a devoted fan of the genre. Now, with so many unrealized gaming regrets, Hollow Knight‘s perpetually delayed sequel, Silksong, haunted him most.
With me breathing down their necks, they won’t dare pull another delay!
Beyond publishing, Mei Fang also envisioned his own Metroidvania original.
After settling into her room, Guo Yun headed to the penthouse suite to “audience” with Mei Fang, who was diligently blow-drying Xia Yuan’s hair.
“Take a seat. Youxi’s still showering—we’ll chat once she’s out.”
Guo Yun sat quietly, phone in hand, ignoring the couple’s sweet nothings.
Xia Yuan, nestled in Mei Fang’s lap, flushed at the voyeuristic thrill of their display.
“Ah Fang… maybe I should dry it myself?”
“Relax. Sit still.” He nipped her ear. “Be good.”
Though Lin Youxi’s “dating game” framed the rivalry between her and Xia Yuan, Mei Fang often had to step outside his NPC role to maintain balance.
Xia Yuan’s earlier performance had paled next to Lin Youxi’s dominance. Despite their equal standing, Xia Yuan’s “all bark, no bite” personality left her secretly bruised. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ NovᴇlFirᴇ(.)nᴇt
By pampering her now, Mei Fang signaled that Lin Youxi’s tactical victories hadn’t skewed his affections. Youxi, having secured the substance, could afford to yield the appearance—she doted on Yuan Yuan too.
The downside? It risked casting Xia Yuan as the “daughter” of their trio.
Yuan Yuan seems to enjoy it!
Xia Yuan elbowed him as he finished. “Behave! Yunyun’s right there.”
“You’re the one who—”
He nuzzled her fiercely just as Lin Youxi emerged from the shower, towel-drying her hair while scanning the room.
“Ah Fang, where’d you put my—? Oh. Yunyun’s here.”
Guo Yun instantly covered her eyes. “I-I saw nothing!”
“You’re a girl too. Why the shyness?”
“But what if Zhang Ming walks in?”
“He won’t. He’s terrified of being alone with you two.”
Lin Youxi smiled. “I was his homeroom monitor. Makes sense.”
“Anyway—” Mei Fang hoisted Xia Yuan off his lap and beckoned Lin Youxi over. “Get dressed first, then I’ll dry your hair.”
Without hesitation, Lin Youxi plopped onto his lap, flashing a smirk over her shoulder.
Guo Yun, red-eared, deeply regretted her premature arrival.
Should’ve waited longer…
Once everyone was presentable, Mei Fang pulled up his design doc.
“Our Metroidvania needs an anime aesthetic with Soulslike elements.”*
“Souls games? Like those brutal PS titles?” Xia Yuan groaned. “Too hard! I suffered.”
“Difficulty breeds discourse. Don’t sweat it yet.”
Mei Fang continued, “By ‘anime aesthetic,’ I mean our protagonist should be a moe girl—preferably a white-haired loli shrine maiden purging calamities.”
“She sounds fragile. You expect her to brawl like a Souls knight?”
Having co-op’d Demon’s Souls with Mei Fang, Lin Youxi grasped the dissonance.
“Hence the workaround: Stand mechanics for combat and interactions.”
Mei Fang nodded. “The story’s dark—a lifeless kingdom where a revived shrine maiden, aided by a nameless knight, purges corruption to free trapped souls, turning them into allies.”
“But she herself struggles against the corruption’s toll, risking a ‘fully eroded’ bad end—avoidable via true ending triggers.”
“Wow. Ah Fang’s twisted.”
Xia Yuan shuddered. “How heartless!”
“Peak anime edge.” Mei Fang grinned. “Call me the *Warrior of Love.”
This project’s core drew from Ender Lilies, a game he’d been playing before his past life’s abrupt end. Though modest in scope, its potential—supercharged by Mei Fang’s resources—could far surpass the original.
Moreover, it aligned with his Yuan Project—
To deepen Xia Yuan’s involvement in his ventures, Yuanxia Music would return to its roots: game soundtracks.