Meridiem has confirmed that Dinopunk: The Cacops Adventure launches on 24 November on Steam. As previously reported, this is a classic-style platformer with some very obvious inspiration.
Developed by The Dude Games, Dinopunk puts you in the scaly skin of Cacops, an amphibian dino dad on a mission to rescue his stolen egg. Along the way, you’ll be blasting ninjas, dodging weird critters, and squaring up against screen-filling bosses straight out of the arcade era.
Dinopunk has Wonder Boy vibes
This one’s a proper love letter to late-80s/early-90s legends like Wonder Boy, Alex Kidd, and even a little Contra — with chunky pixels, smart platforming, and a modern twist on shooting and reloading mechanics. Oh, and did we mention arcade-style minigames? Because there are arcade-style minigames. Surf’s up!
Here are a few key features that really make this stand out:
- Shooting and Reloading: The combat is built around Cacops using water projectiles that require recharging. Accessing special items will enhance these attacks, adding a strategic layer to the classic run-and-gun platforming.
- Arcade Minigames: This is a brilliant touch. The inclusion of hidden extra challenges, specifically mentioning surfing waves in true California Games style, adds massive variety and boosts that arcade nostalgia factor perfectly.
- Retro Aesthetics: It promises a visual style full of nods to the myths of the ’80s and ’90s, which is exactly what we want from a game that aims to be the ultimate 2D platforming experience.
The game is already available on consoles, so its arrival on Steam feels a little late — but it’s good to have the option to play it on PC. Sadly, it isn’t Steam Deck verified as yet, although that may change soon.
Dinopunk: The Cacops Adventure launches 24 November on Steam. You can wishlist now and dive into the demo to get a taste of the action ahead of release.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
