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Darwin's Paradox!

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Darwin's Paradox!
Image
DeveloperZDT Studio
PublisherKonami
Composer
  • Francis Chavihot
[1][a][b]
EngineUnreal Engine 5
Platforms
ReleaseApril 2, 2026
GenrePlatform
ModeSingle-player

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.

Synopsis

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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.

Gameplay

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The game is a 2.5D platforming game.[2] 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.[3]

Development

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Darwin's Paradox! is Paris-based developer ZDT Studio's inaugural release.[3] 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.[4] Gilles Aujard serves as the studio's Creative Director. Mikael Tanguy serves as Artistic Director.[5]

The game's title comes from Charles Darwin's 1842 monograph The Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs. Darwin's paradox refers to the ecosystem conundrum of how coral reefs can flourish even though tropical waters contain few nutrients.

Release

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It was formally revealed during the February 2025 PlayStation State of Play presentation.[6] In November 2025, the game's release date was delayed to 2026. It was also announced at this time that the Nintendo Switch version was scrapped.[7] Konami confirmed that the game would now be released for the Nintendo Switch 2 instead.[8] Darwin's Paradox! was released on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on April 2, 2026.[9]

Reception

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Darwin's Paradox! received "mixed or average" reviews, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.[10][11][12][13] Fellow review aggregator OpenCritic assessed that the game received fair approval, being recommended by 60% of critics.[14]

References

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  1. ↑ "Website of the soundtrack on Apple Music". music.apple.com.
  2. ↑ "Octopus Platformer Darwin's Paradox Isn't the Next Game We Expected from Konami". Pushsquare. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Konami Press Start Live June 2025: Everything Announced". IGN South Asia. Archived from the original on 7 October 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  4. ↑ "Former Arkane Lyon studio director's next game will be 50s sci-fi platformer Darwin's Paradox". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 29 August 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  5. ↑ "Konami release New Gameplay and Deep Dive for Octopus Adventure 'Darwin's Paradox". Xbox Era. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  6. ↑ Wald, Heather. "The best thing about State of Play was Konami's new Inside-like platformer that promises to let me "truly understand what it feels like to be an octopus"". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on 21 March 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  7. ↑ "Konami's Xbox platformer Darwin's Paradox has been delayed". Trueachievements. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  8. ↑ "Darwin's Paradox! coming to Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026, Nintendo Switch version scrapped, new trailer". Nintendo Everything. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  9. ↑ Hopley, Alex (2026-02-12). "Darwin's Paradox launches on the 2nd of April". Gamereactor UK. Retrieved 2026-02-12.
  10. 1 2 "Darwin's Paradox! for Nintendo Switch 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  11. 1 2 "Darwin's Paradox! for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  12. 1 2 "Darwin's Paradox! for PlayStation 5 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  13. 1 2 "Darwin's Paradox! for Xbox Series X/S Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  14. 1 2 "Darwin's Paradox!". OpenCritic. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
  15. ↑ Samples, Rachel (30 March 2026). "Darwin's Paradox! review – A charming puzzle-platformer but with slippery performance". Destructoid. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  16. ↑ "Darwin's Paradox". 16 April 2026. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
  17. ↑ Hilliard, Kyle (30 March 2026). "Darwin's Paradox Review - Passive Prowling Polypus". Game Informer. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  18. ↑ Watts, Seve (30 March 2026). "This Fun New Puzzle-Platformer Is Limbo, But Not Creepy - Darwin's Paradox Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  19. ↑ Taylor-Kent, Oscar (30 March 2026). "Darwin's Paradox review: "Stealth octopus abilities are charming, though under-used in this simplistic puzzle platformer"". GamesRadar. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  20. ↑ Fillari, Alessandro (30 March 2026). "Darwin's Paradox! Review". IGN. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  21. ↑ Z, Evelynn (30 March 2026). "Darwin's Paradox! (Switch 2) Review". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved 30 March 2026.

Notes

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  1. ↑ Additional music by Elea Lecoq and Flypop
  2. ↑ Flypop is not credit as composer in the credits of the video game.
  3. ↑ Based on 87 reviews
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