Press Kit (Cold Lazarus)

Brief Summary

Lazarus wakes up amidst the fragmented asteroid islands of Nimbranumbra. With no memory of identity or mission, Lazarus becomes intricately entwined in the chaos and politics that rule over the endearing inhabitants of this forgotten world.

Cold Lazarus unfolds as a hand-drawn, cartoon odyssey -a 2D open world, side-scrolling adventure across the Asteroid Islands of Nimbranumbra. Explore forgotten forests, quaint mushroom villages and alternate dimensions. Fire your laser powers at dangerous enemies! Bombard your foes with exploding Easter eggs! Foil the assaults of minions with imaginative items, like a giant fighting teddy bear! 

About Cold Lazarus

Cold Lazarus is fundamentally an adventure game infused with the essence of a metroidvania and a 2D shoot’em up. While incorporating elements of platforming and puzzles, its true brilliance emerges from its captivating story and endearing characters. 

Lazarus’s epic unfolds on the Asteroid Islands of Nimbranumbra. As he awakens without memory of his identity or mission, he stumbles upon an adrift population of charismatic characters. They inhabit quaint mushroom villages, enchanting forests, and ancient ruins. However, a recent plague of otherworldly portals has begun tormenting the citizens of Nimbranumbra. Lazarus soon finds himself entangled in a web of politics and chaos as he endeavors to alleviate the suffering.

The core mechanics of the game feature our protagonist, Lazarus, the bodacious blue bird, akin perhaps to the Takahe of New Zealand, Notornis mantelli. (However, no official statement as to the species of avian has been given.) 

The player guides Lazarus through a sequence of seamless jumps, enabling intricate air maneuvers. This proves invaluable for reaching moving platforms, spanning vast chasms, and, most importantly, evading enemy attacks. The core of the action in Cold Lazarus revolves around a frenetic series of enemy assaults manifesting in various scenarios.

Firstly, there are general enemy encounters scattered throughout the world. These foes are typically solitary and pose minimal challenges when confronted. 

Secondly, there are “Wave encounters” – special events that unfold throughout the Cold Lazarus storyline. These events involve a relentless series of enemy spawns in confined areas, featuring progressively more formidable adversaries.

Lastly, players face intense boss battles, where navigating the chaotic environments becomes a formidable challenge. Evading attacks from all sides requires skill and strategic thinking.  

How does our comical protagonist combat the relentless foes of Nimbranumbra? Well, with his amazing laser powers, of course! Without delving into too many spoilers, Lazarus, being not from this world, possesses special powers. Alongside his laser abilities, he wields exploding Easter eggs, graciously supplied by the Easter bunny. Moreover, Lazarus has an arsenal of entertaining items at his disposal. Some offer straightforward healing, others grant temporary invincibility, and one even summons a colossal fighting teddy bear!

Lazarus has the opportunity to enhance these abilities through a straightforward leveling system. By exchanging “Special Ingredients” (typically discovered throughout the world of Nimbranumbra or earned by completing quests), Lazarus can acquire upgrades for his weapons, grenades, inventory, health, and power. 

Finally, the most captivating aspect of Cold Lazarus lies in its story. Immerse yourself in this odyssey adventure, presented in a unique hand-drawn aesthetic. Charming characters serve as guides for Lazarus as he navigates the world of Nimbranumbra, unveiling the mystery behind otherworldly portals that connect this realm to a mysterious, colorless dimension known as the “Frameworks.”

Amidst the perils posed by the “Frameworks,” Lazarus faces relentless pursuit from the local government official, President King Koala. For reasons unknown, President King Koala desperately seeks Lazarus for himself. What ensues is an epic adventure brimming with action, romance, comedy, and, of course, tragedy.

About CyrustheVirus Studios

CyrustheVirus Studios was established by Sheldon Slater, also known as CyrustheVirus001, in 2019. Serving as the sole developer, programmer, animator, artist, and composer for the project Cold Lazarus, Sheldon has been immersed in the world of video games since his early days. His profound love for the medium was shaped by influential titles from the Nintendo 64 era, such as Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Banjo Kazooie, and Super Mario 64, which left a lasting impact on him.

Despite diverse experiences, including years as a touring musician in a southern rock band and a role as a maintenance engineer for a prestigious hotel, Sheldon pursued his passion for video game development. After obtaining a degree in computer science, he decided to dedicate himself fully to his true calling.

By day, Sheldon works as a professional software engineer, and by night, he tirelessly delves into the realm of indie game development. CyrustheVirus001, or Sheldon Slater, is a dedicated individual who combines his daytime profession with his nighttime endeavors, demonstrating a commitment to both his career and his creative pursuits.

His game dev journey is also adorned with the unwavering love and support of his enchanting fiancée, Stephanie.

About the Soundtrack

Bishop to Queen Six composed all the music for Cold Lazarus.

Bishop to Queen Six is a symphonic rock collective led by composers Sheldon Slater, Andy Burns, and Danny San Filippo. With a distinctive blend of orchestral sophistication and rock intensity, the group is dedicated to producing original, high-quality music tailored for video games, film, and other visual media. Their work is characterized by its memorable themes, emotional depth, and cinematic scope, offering compelling musical experiences that enhance narrative and atmosphere alike.

Downloadable Assets

Game Features:

Epic side-scrolling action, platforming and puzzles.

Smooth 2D controls. Forget the double jump—how about a quintuple jump! Flip, flap and flutter your way around deadly enemy attacks. Dejectedly, Lazarus the bird forgot how to fly…

Lock on to your foes with a simple targeting system and unleash Lazarus’s strange bird laser powers! Woah!

Barrage your enemies with exploding grenades supplied by the Easter bunny!

Utilize crazy items to aid in your battles! Need some backup? Summon a giant fighting Teddy Bear! Too many enemies at once? Stop all enemy movement with the Cuckoo-Clock! Want to wipe the board? Perhaps a plague of locust or frogs could help?

Collect ingredients for the “averse to labor” ocelot, so that you can watch television with him and regain some of your forgotten powers. I.e. There’s a simple but powerful upgrade system!

Follow the main story quest as Lazarus meticulously chronicles the details in elaborate and often humorous diary entries. Immerse yourself in a rich narrative of intrigue, romance, power, and vengeance!

Embark on numerous side quests, each offering valuable rewards to enhance Lazarus’s journey. Explore a variety of storylines, each featuring its own charming characters and captivating narratives.

Dozens of unique boss fights, characters, enemies and landscapes!

A beautiful, epic symphonic rock soundtrack, which embellishes the mysterious and momentous world and story. Composed by Sheldon Slater, featuring Andy Burns and Danny San Filippo.

An Odyssey Awaits…

When Lazarus awoke to the wondrous healing powers of a local guru, the spiritual guide mouse Mungus, he did not remember who he was, where he was going, or where he had been. Mungus, the accommodating vermin that he was, took in Lazarus and offered all the help he could to restore him to his former strength. For Mungus, the holy keeper of the ancient religions, saw something special in Lazarus and believed that the amnesiac blue bird would be the key to stopping the suffering of Nimbranumbra. So, in a selfish, exploitative fashion, Mungus sent Lazarus into the depths of an interdimensional rift—a bridge between the asteroid islands of Nimbranumbra and a world void of color known simply as the “Frameworks.” What followed was an epic tale of discovery and deceit, romance and adventure, laughter and tears.