Mark your calendars—because on September 17, 2025, ZOE Begone! is scribbling its way onto Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch with a barrage of hand-drawn, retro-inspired bullet hell mayhem.
Developed by solo creator Retchy, this high-energy run-and-gun shooter drops you into the inky shoes of Zoe, a film-strip heroine who just wants a peaceful nap. Unfortunately, the mischievous Animator has other plans—scribbling waves of enemies directly into her world. With quick dashes, screen-clearing attacks, and a cartoon-level tolerance for chaos, Zoe is ready to fight for her reel… and her rest.
Old-School Animation Meets Modern Mayhem
ZOE Begone! takes inspiration from 1930s drawn-on-film animation—especially the work of Norman McLaren—then cranks it up with modern bullet hell intensity. The Animator’s brush will quite literally swing into the frame to spawn new foes, and every fight is laced with fourth-wall-breaking humor. Expect exploding ink, surreal hazards, and enemies so strange you’ll wonder if the Animator’s running low on sleep too.
You’ll blast through enemy hordes, smash the Animator’s tools, and collect Apples to spend on weapons, power-ups, and abilities. Whether you go for quick boosts or save up for massive upgrades, every run offers fresh, chaotic fun.
Key Features
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Hand-Drawn Animations – Every frame is painstakingly drawn by hand, dripping with 1930s-inspired style.
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Frenetic Bullet-Hell Combat – Dash, shoot, and smash your way through arenas bursting with enemies.
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Dynamic Upgrades – Collect Apples to unlock weapons, power-ups, and passive abilities—spend them now or save for big rewards later.
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Multiple Modes –
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Arcade: Hunt down the Animator in the core campaign.
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Time Attack: Beat the Animator before the clock runs out.
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Frame Trap: Face an endless boss rush in pure survival mode.
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Infinite Replayability – Procedural twists, multiple levels, and online leaderboards keep things fresh.
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Groovy Soundtrack – A jazzy, reactive score that turns every bullet-dodge into a beat.
A free demo is live on Steam right now, so you can try the chaos before launch.