Where to get it

2026 · ZeDrimeTim · Adventure · Indie

Darwin's Paradox!

Dive into the adventure with Darwin, an octopus as endearing as he is ingenious, torn from the ocean and trapped in a vast and mysterious industrial complex. Harness his unique talents and abilities to help him overcome the many dangers and traps in this captivating platformer and adventure game.

Released: 2 April 2026
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2 PlayStation 5 Windows Xbox Series X/S
Genres: Adventure Indie Platformer Puzzle Puzzle-platformer
Developers: ZeDrimeTim
Publishers: Konami
Modes: Single-player
Perspective: Side view
Themes: Action
Country: France
Age ratings: ESRB E10+PEGI 7 ACB PG CERO A GRAC ALL USK 12 CLASS_IND L
Languages: Chinese (Simplified), English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Spain)
Time to beat: 9.5hwith extras

About

Darwin's Paradox! is a 2026 platform video game developed by ZDT Studio and published by Konami. In the game, players take on the role of an octopus named Darwin, who must use his intelligence and ability to survive and make it back to the ocean. The game was released on April 2, 2026, for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X and Series S.

Players say

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

The game is a 2.5D platforming game. In the game, players control the octopus Darwin, who, after waking up in an industrial complex must make his way back home to the ocean. Abilities are based on natural abilities of octopuses, such as arms with suction cups and shooting ink.

Story

A blue octopus name Darwin was swimming in the ocean with his friend, until they both become separated when a UFO abducts them and taken to the new food corporation "UFOOD". Now Darwin must break into the company's warehouse and rescue his cephalopod companion, all while discovering UFOOD's secrets involving experiments, mind control, and an Extraterrestrial invasion on Earth.

Development

Darwin's Paradox! is Paris-based developer ZDT Studio's inaugural release. It was originally announced in 2022, as former Arkane Lyon studio director Romuald Capron's next game. At the time, it was reported that the game drew inspiration from Limbo and Little Nightmares.

ZDT studio was founded by Gilles Aujard, Mikael Tanguy, and Cédric Lagarrigue. Gilles Aujard serves as the studio's Creative Director. Mikael Tanguy serves as Artistic Director.

Reception

Darwin's Paradox! received "mixed or average" reviews, according to review aggregator website Metacritic. Fellow review aggregator OpenCritic assessed that the game received fair approval, being recommended by 60% of critics.