Indie creativity collides with arcade mayhem as PM Studios and Retchy Games officially launch ZOE Begone! today on Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. This frenetic bullet hell shooter draws inspiration from 1930s drawn-on-film animation, delivering a one-of-a-kind visual and gameplay experience.
A Battle Against the Animator
In ZOE Begone!, players step into the shoes of Zoe, a fearless heroine battling against The Animator—a chaotic antagonist who sketches hazards directly into her world. Frame by frame, enemies materialize on screen, from scribbled monsters to bizarre creations made with pens, knives, or even fingertips. Zoe’s ultimate goal? To break free from The Animator’s imagination and return to her peaceful nap.
Graeme Hawkins, the solo Scottish developer behind Retchy Games, explains: “ZOE Begone! is all about embracing imperfection—every jitter of ink, every ragged edge, every chaotic bullet. That’s where the magic lives.”
Ami Blaire, CMO at PM Studios, adds: “At PM Studios, we love championing creators who dare to be different. Graeme’s vision for ZOE Begone! is exactly that—a perfect reminder of why indies matter.”
Key Features of ZOE Begone!
- Striking Hand-Drawn Visuals – Inspired by Norman McLaren and the golden age of arcade shooters, every frame is a piece of art.
- Enemy Chain Scoring System – Rack up points with high-risk, high-reward combos that reward aggressive play.
- Global Leaderboards – Compete against players worldwide to secure the highest score.
- Dynamic Upgrades – Collect Apples as currency to unlock weapons, power-ups, and game-changing abilities.
- Multiple Modes – Choose from arcade runs, timed challenges, or intense boss rush battles.
- Layered Difficulty – Tackle Easy, Normal, or Hard for unique patterns and scoring opportunities.
- Resource-Based Combat – Balance Energy for flying, dashing, or trading it for short-lived but devastating weapons.
A Celebration of Indie Innovation
With its bold visual style and inventive mechanics, ZOE Begone! celebrates the charm of imperfection while pushing the boundaries of bullet hell design. Whether flying through chaotic barrages or battling on foot, every run offers a fresh challenge, rewarding both strategic thinkers and high-score chasers.
ZOE Begone! is available now on Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
