Summary
- Over four hours of gameplay from Retro Studios’ cancelled game Harmony has leaked online.
- The game was a linear 3D platformer developed during the Wii U era, starring a red-haired heroine who uses the power of song to interact with nature.
- Nintendo has taken down several videos, though a full stream remains available at the time of writing.
Harmony leak offers best look yet at Retro StudioS’ cancelled project
Fans of Retro Studios—best known for the Metroid Prime and Donkey Kong Country franchises—have finally gotten a full look at one of the developer’s most mysterious cancelled projects. A Twitch streamer named Stumblyn recently showcased over four hours of gameplay from a leaked build of Harmony, a 3D platformer developed for the Wii U before being shelved by Nintendo.
Originally in development around the time of Borderlands 3 and before Metroid Prime 4 began production, Harmony featured a unique mechanic where players controlled a red-haired female protagonist who could manipulate nature through singing. The game was believed to be a passion project within Retro, but development was halted before it ever reached a playable public build.
Gameplay Mechanics and Design Elements of Retro Studios’ Cancelled Platformer
Harmony allowed players to interact with the environment in imaginative ways. In one scene, the heroine sings to summon forest animals who help form a vine bridge to traverse terrain. Another shows her commanding a moss-covered troll—described as Sully-like in appearance—to solve puzzles and engage in combat. One sequence even sees her growing a large tree from an acorn using her singing powers to progress through the level.
The game embraced a nature-based progression system, and emphasized smooth traversal, riding creatures, and solving puzzles with a musical twist. Its art direction was described as bold, cel-shaded, and whimsical, although some Reddit users were divided over whether Harmony would have matched Retro’s usual level of polish.
Mixed community reactions and preservation effort
The leaked build has drawn mixed responses. Some fans noted that while Harmony looked creative, it seemed directionless compared to Retro’s polished releases. Others praised the studio’s ambition and expressed disappointment it never saw completion. With multiple videos already removed from YouTube due to copyright claims, fans are sharing remaining footage under the banner of game preservation.
Retro Studios has a history of cancelled games, including Raven Blade, Star Fox Armada, and an untitled Legend of Zelda project. Harmony now joins that list, even as the studio prepares for its next big launch with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond—currently slated for 2025.
