Headlander

• Title — Headlander • Developer — Double Fine Productions • Publisher — Adult Swim Games • Director — Lee Petty • Designer — Gabe Cinquepalmi • Programmer — Kee Chi • Artist — Christopher Lam Geoff Soulis • Writer — Lee Petty • Composer — David Earl • Platforms — Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One • Released — July 26, 2016 • Genre — Metroidvania • Modes — Single-player

Headlander takes place in a futuristic setting inspired by 1970s science fiction televisions shows and movies such as Logan's Run. In this future, humanity has opted to upload their consciousnesses to a world-encompassing cloud storage, forgoing their bodies but able to occupy the minds of robots as to carry out necessary tasks or otherwise enjoy corporeal pleasures. However, an artificial intelligence named Methuselah has taken control of the robots, trapping the human consciousnesses inside them, and enslaved them for some nefarious purpose. The last human is awoken from cryogenic storage to deal with Methuselah, but only their head has managed to survive the process and is suffering from amnesia. Headlander plays out as a 2.5D Metroidvania-style game. The character's head, equipped in a special helmet that allows the head to fly around, can also use its tractor beam to take the heads off the robots and use their bodies as needed. Robots have specialized functions, so the player may be required to find the right type of robots and maneuver it through the game world to complete a task, such as using a security robot to open a door. The helmet includes a laser system that can be used to damage robots and protect itself, and can gain additional powerups that grant access to other areas of the game world. At times, the player is limited to using only the helmet and needs to fight through sections that are similar to bullet hell games. At other times, the player can also opt to use a robot body to engage in combat, which can include both ranged and melee fights, depending on what type of robot they choose.

Headlander was announced at the 2015 PAX Prime expo. Double Fine Productions is handling development duties for the game, with Lee Petty overseeing its team, while Adult Swim Games will distribute the title. The game was released on July 26, 2016 for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 4. On November 17, 2016, Headlander was released for Xbox One.