Exception

Exception is a combat platformer set inside a computer system hijacked by a totalitarian virus. You play as a lone member of the system who joins a resistance and fights to overthrow the virus and restore freedom. The story is told across 17 illustrated cutscenes, following four misfit software threads and revealing the system collapse and power vacuum that allowed the virus to rise.

Shifting levels

The game combines two-dimensional action with a three-dimensional world. Levels transform as you progress, exposing new challenges, opportunities and distant areas to explore. Each level unfolds as a puzzle, and you use quick reflexes and elaborate attacks to make your way through it.

Combat and upgrades

You can perform a range of special attacks and combine them into attack sequences. Hidden artifacts can be collected and used to buy attack upgrades. Chaining airborne attacks earns time bonuses, with aggressive strategies yielding the highest bonuses; you can also look for fast routes with greater bonus potential.

Leaderboards

More than 800 Steam leaderboards let you compete for the best times on individual levels, with different leaderboards rewarding different play styles. You can aim for the best combat time by destroying every enemy, or a pacifist time by leaving enemies unharmed.

Synthwave soundtrack

The soundtrack runs for nearly two hours and includes tracks by Synthwave artists such as Kalax and Waveshaper.