Lone Fungus: Melody of Spores

About Lone Fungus: Melody of Spores

Lone Fungus: Melody of Spores is a 2D Metroidvania from Basti Games, released on PC in November 2025. It serves as a prequel to the original game, following Greencap’s ancestor in a large mushroom kingdom. Players explore interconnected regions, solve platforming puzzles, and battle foes while uncovering lore about tribal unification. The game leans into classic indie adventure tropes with a fungal twist. Its world feels dense and rewarding for those who like to backtrack and hunt secrets. A single-player story-driven experience with light combat and exploration loops.

Gameplay

You’ll navigate a grid-based world filled with vertical and horizontal progression. Combat is light but requires timing, spore attacks and shield blocks form the core of battles. Upgrades like double-jump and health boosts open new areas, encouraging revisits to earlier zones. Each region has distinct enemies and environmental hazards, like spore-filled traps. The story unfolds through dialogue with mushroom tribes and scattered journals. Sessions often involve balancing platforming challenges with combat, with a focus on unlocking shortcuts. The pace is steady, with frequent save points and a checkpoint system. No multiplayer or co-op modes; it’s all about solo discovery and gradual mastery.

What Players Think

PlayPile users rate it 82% with 68% completing it fully. Average playtime is 12.5 hours, but 23% report over 20. Community moods are split: 47% call it "delightfully quirky," while 31% call it "repetitive in later chapters." Achievements (30 total) have a 61% completion rate, with "Spore Seeker" (100% map) being the most contested. Reviews highlight the "lovable world design" but criticize "predictable boss fights." One 40-hour completionist wrote, "Worth it for the lore payoff, but the combat gets samey." Metacritic averages 76, with praise for art style and pacing.

PlayPile's Take

This is a solid pick for Metroidvania fans who prioritize lore over combat. At $29.99, it offers 10, 20 hours of play with 30 achievements. The world design is its strength, but later sections lag in originality. If you like games like Axiom Verge or Hades with a slower pace, it’s worth a try. Completionists will appreciate the 100% map and hidden tribe quests. Not impressive, but a charming, if uneven, entry in the genre.

Storyline

Play as Greencap's ancestor in this prequel to the first Lone Fungus, set thousands of years before the first game. Just like the first game, Lone Fungus: Melody of Spores is a sprawling Metroidvania set in a mushroom world! This time perhaps our protagonist will be a bit less lonely...