The 3D platformer has a long history, dating back to the 1990s. While the genre is certainly not as prevalent as it once was, there are plenty of game publishers who are doing their part to keep the magic alive. Modus Games is one of those publishers, as evidenced by Kukoos: Lost Pets.
Coming from developer Petit Fabrik, Kukoos: Lost Pets feels like a lost relic from the GameCube era — it wouldn’t look out of place on a shelf next to Super Mario Sunshine. In the game, you’ll team up with your pets as you embark across colorful worlds and take on wacky baddies — or “TERRIBLE VILLAINS” in the words of the game’s trailer.
Here’s a description from a recent press release:
The Kukoo Tree, once a safe haven for Kukoos and their pets, has been taken over in a rebellion by brainwashed pets – and it’s up to you to set things right. If you want to save the Kukoo Tree, you’ll need to travel through a tour of distinct, wacky worlds in the adventure of a lifetime, playing solo or in four-player co-op. Despite their pleasantly colorful looks, the worlds of Kukoos are filled to the brim with wild, unexpected obstacles for the Kukoos to overcome.
I should point out that the press release also mentions co-op.
Kukoos: Lost Pets actually debuted in Early Access late last year, so some folks have already been exploring the game’s platforming stages. User reviews seem pretty positive right now, and based on what’s shown in the trailer, it looks pretty polished.
There’s no specific release date quite yet, but we’re told the game should be out in version 1.0 (and on consoles) by the end of this year. Plus, there will be physical copies on PS4 and Nintendo Switch this December, with physical copies for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S arriving in early 2023.
As someone with a lot of affection for 3D platformers, I’ll definitely be keeping my eye on this one.
You can check out the announcement trailer for Kukoos: Lost Pets below, or you could pick up the Early Access build on Steam right now.
