Co-op party platformer KarmaZoo launches on November 14

KarmaZoo, a cooperative platformer developed by Pastagames and published by Devolver Digital has set a release date for November 14. In this unorthodox multiplayer experience, players seem to be encouraged to diminish the ego and prioritize their friends — or, ♒in some cases, perfect strangers.

In the , it looks like this game is predominantly speed-based in the sense that players will be put into a course where they must make it to the finish line. But unlike most games of this archetype, KarmaZoo encourages selfless actions that benefit the collectiv💜e over the self. 

For example, one scenario might be a large ravine that is impossible to cross, with spikes at the bottom. If you were to jump into the ravine, your demise would trigger a tombstone to fall, providing your fellow players a stepping stone to cross it. In exchange for your noble sacrifice, you’d earn extra rewards at the end of the round. But, it’s not all about self-sacrifice — any positive action that benefits the team can be recognized and rewarded. So, it’s not a competition. It’s more a collaboration than anyt🥃hing else.

I say all that, but for those readers who’re itching to beat their friends in Karma-based minigames, there will be a competitive mode added to the final release. So, no matter if you’re feeling like working with a group of friends (or strangers), or if you want some brutal competition, KarmaZoo has you covered.

Based on the trailer, the game adopts this nostalgic, pixel-based art style that reminds me of indie games such as VVVVVV. I do worry that, thanks to the incredibly small sprite size for these characters, it’ll be a difficult one for those of us with poor eyesight. But, it might not beඣ as b💝ig a deal in the game itself.

KarmaZoo is on November 14, and will be available for the Nintendo 🥀Switch, PS5, Xbox Series, and PC.