An electric guitar is hardly conventional survival equipment, but in Through Decay, it may be the only thing standing between a musician and a collapsing nightmare. Solo developer Nikolay Shapoval is developing the hand-drawn action-platformer under the Dead Flowers Games name, blending rock and metal influences with hack-and-slash combat, rhythm elements and an unsettling dream world.
Nikolay contacted Coloured Static Press to introduce the project, which he has been developing for nearly three years with support from a small team of artists. We’ve since spoken directly to him about its press materials, soundtrack and plans for a playable demo.
A musician lost in a dream that fights back
Players take control of a guitarist trapped in a twisted, decaying dream world. The premise turns the instrument into a weapon as the protagonist fights strange creatures, tackles difficult platforming sections and confronts bosses. The developer describes fast-paced combat and rhythm-based mechanics as central parts of the experience, rather than treating the soundtrack as background decoration.
The hand-drawn animation is part of the game’s identity. In one developer-supplied gameplay screenshot, the player faces an enemy named Elden in a layered, darkly coloured arena. The on-screen character and boss health bars show this is footage of the game itself, not a cinematic illustration.
Music isn’t just the soundtrack
Through Decay draws inspiration from rock and metal culture, with an original metal soundtrack accompanying the fights. Nikolay has confirmed that the game’s original soundtrack and effects are cleared for Twitch broadcasts, recorded YouTube coverage and short-form clips, including monetised editorial content. He also confirmed that the game contains no third-party commercial music. Those permissions make it an especially interesting candidate for future hands-on streaming once a public or authorised build is available.
When can you play it?
There is no announced release window and no public playable demo yet. Nikolay says the project remains in active development and that the team is preparing its first demo. He has offered to share the demo with us once it’s ready, but readers shouldn’t mistake the trailer or screenshots for a game currently available to download.
You can follow the project via its Steam store page and watch the official trailer. Developer images and supporting material are available in the Through Decay press kit.
The story behind Through Decay
Nikolay has also agreed to our usual seven-question written developer interview. We’ve asked about the evolution of the early prototype, designing rhythmic guitar combat, creating readable hand-drawn boss encounters, and what he wants players to experience when the demo finally arrives. We hope to share that conversation when his answers are ready.
First Signal is Coloured Static Press’s independent discovery coverage. This article is based on the game’s official trailer, original developer-supplied artwork and direct correspondence with Nikolay Shapoval on 28 October 2026. Images are genuine developer-provided game captures, used with permission and credited to Dead Flowers Games. We have not yet played or scored Through Decay.