Summary
Dog fans in need of a quirky action game can rejoice:Barkourhas officially been revealed. Created by Varsav Game Studios,Barkourfollows special dog agent T.H.U.N.D.E.R. on his mission to save the world and have a good time while doing so. Varsav’s Poland-based studio is known for its work developing indie titles such asBee SimulatorandGiants Uprising, as well as its co-development ofThe Path of Calydra.
While one might assume they’ve gleamed all they can from the fun, pun-based title, there’s more than meets the eye about this game.Barkour’s announcementbrought with it a new trailer and a detailed description on Varsav’s website. With all this information, there’s plenty to unpack about this canine espionage adventure.
Everything to Know About Barkour
Barkouris a third-personparkour-based video gamethat lets players control 009 agent T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Employed by a top secret organization, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. will have to maneuver, sneak, and fight his way through unique encounters to halt a series of nefarious plots set in motion by the world’s greatest villains — and maybe a few troublesome cats. In this game, Varsav is looking to provide a light-hearted story, twist-filled comedic scenarios, and action-packed gameplay that players will want to return to again and again.
Meet the Protagonist of Barkour
Agent T.H.U.N.D.E.R. is one of many animal agents working at his organization. When describing him, Varsav has stated that, “Even though T.H.U.N.D.E.R. is a trained professional, he remains a regular dog at heart. He still needs to chase his tail, scratch an elusive itch behind his ear, and occasionally sniff someone’s behind… even in the heat of battle. Dangerous, and yet undeniably adorable, he’s the perfect mix of agent and man’s best friend.” While T.H.U.N.D.E.R. is a capable — and cute — agent on his own, he will also be accompanied on his journey by his AI companion, A.L.F.-RED.
Barkour’s Gameplay Experience
Barkourwill allow players to beat each level with a personalized blend of T.H.U.N.D.E.R.’s three main skill sets: parkour, combat, and stealth. Depending on whether a player wants to sneakily navigate the map or pick a head-on fight with the cartoonish villains inhabiting these levels, the game will “cater to [their] playstyle” according to Varsav. This means that each playthrough will offer a unique experience for every player, and that Barkour will hopefully be agame with massive replay value.
The parkour system in the game is said to be fast-paced, allowing players to quickly navigateBarkour’s platforming sections using flips, wallrunning, and other acrobatic feats. In addition to his natural physicality, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. has an array of tools that can help him navigate the world. The game’s trailer shows off one such gadget as T.H.U.N.D.E.R. deploys a mechanized grappling hook to both ambush an enemy and ascend to new heights. Some of these gear pieces can be used in combat as well, although the full extent of the game’s arsenal has not yet been revealed.
For those wanting a more methodical experience, Varsav aims to have that covered as well. In addition toBarkour’s stealth mechanics, the studio is adding detail and intrigue to encourage a deep dive into each level. Each location will offer unique visuals to appreciate and unique pathways to explore. Those who take the time to investigate these areas will be rewarded with interesting secrets and alternate solutions to T.H.U.N.D.E.R.’s mission.
When and Where to Play Barkour
WhileBarkourdoesn’t have an official release date, it is currently slated for release sometime in 2025. The game is already confirmed to be releasing on Steam. Varsav has stated on its website thatBarkourwill also be available on consoles, but the studio has yet to state which ones. Here’s hoping that — with the game’s promising premise — T.H.U.N.D.E.R. will join the ranks of thebest video game dogswhenBarkourreleases next year.
Bee Simulator
WHERE TO PLAY
When the first rays of sunlight rise above the horizon, the beehive slowly wakes up. Hierarchy and diligence are vital for the wellbeing of the whole swarm. So you check your wings, measure the antennae degree of deviation, take orders from the Queen, and bee-gin your first independent mission. And that’s just the beginning of your adventures. Suddenly, you learn that people want to cut down the tree that holds your hive. Now your fate – and the fate of your whole family – lies in your small, agile legs and fast wings!
