Get ready for a blast of retro chaos as ZOE Begone!, the wild, hand-drawn bullet hell shooter from solo developer Retchy, officially launches on September 17, 2025 for Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
Players will step into the shoes of Zoe, a spunky film-strip heroine who just wants to take a nap—until the Animator starts scribbling all manner of mayhem into her world. Now, armed with slick run-and-gun skills, screen-clearing dashes, and a love-hate relationship with cartoon physics, Zoe must fight to reclaim her peaceful reel.
1930s Cartoons Meet Arcade Mayhem
Drawing heavy inspiration from 1930s drawn-on-film animation—particularly the works of Norman McLaren—and the golden age of arcade shooters, ZOE Begone! blends nostalgic visuals with modern, high-octane gameplay.
The Animator’s trusty pen and paintbrush will keep conjuring foes, while gigantic brushstrokes signal incoming waves of enemies. Expect fourth wall-breaking humor, frantic dodging, and a splattering of ink as you clear each stage.
The latest gameplay trailer offers a fresh look at the colorful chaos—packed with surreal visuals, ridiculous enemies, and a jazzy soundtrack to match.
Gameplay Highlights
- Hand-Drawn Visuals – Every frame is painstakingly illustrated to capture the charm of classic 1930s animation.
- Frenetic Bullet Hell Action – Dash, shoot, and pound your way through ink-splattered arenas.
- Dynamic Upgrades – Collect Apples to buy weapons, passive boosts, and game-changing power-ups—spend them early or save for massive upgrades.
- Multiple Modes –
- Arcade: Take down the Animator in the main campaign.
- Time Attack: Race the clock to finish before time runs out.
- Frame Trap: Endure a relentless boss rush of the Animator’s creations.
- Infinite Replayability – Multiple levels, modes, and online leaderboards keep the challenge fresh.
- Groovy, Reactive Soundtrack – Jazzy beats that dynamically respond to your gameplay.
Play It Now
Players can try the free playable demo today on Steam: ZOE Begone! Demo
Whether you’re chasing high scores or just trying to survive the Animator’s chaotic creations, ZOE Begone! is primed to deliver a dose of nostalgic visuals and modern bullet hell thrills when it arrives this September.
