Ella Stars is an upcoming rhythm action game developed by Korean studio Sususoft and published by Rising Tide, a Thailand-based indie publisher focused on supporting underrepresented development talent across Asia. The game is based on the animated YouTube series Ella Gator, which has accumulated more than 50 million views to date.
At its core, Ella Stars combines rhythm-focused gameplay with a narrative centered on identity, belonging, and self-expression. Players take on the role of Ella — a character who resembles a gator but is revealed to be a dragon — as she navigates a story-driven journey alongside her bird companion. Music plays a central role in both the narrative and mechanics, with players progressing through rhythm challenges to advance the story and unlock new content.
The game features a fully original soundtrack with more than 30 tracks, drawing influence from K-pop and featuring contributions from artists such as Eric Nam, 1kyne, VIA, Shorelle, and Mark Angelico Thomson, with additional music announcements planned. Progression systems allow players to unlock new songs, outfits, and performance stages as Ella grows as a performer.
Visually, Ella Stars uses hand-drawn animated artwork, with the development team emphasizing that the art is created without the use of AI tools. Gameplay is designed to be accessible, focusing on rhythm flow and timing rather than strict precision, making it approachable for players new to the genre while still offering depth for rhythm game fans.
A playable demo is currently available on Steam. Players interested in the game’s origins can watch Seasons 1 and 2 of Ella Gator on YouTube, as well as visit the dedicated Ella Stars YouTube channel for development updates and soundtrack previews.
Ella Stars currently does not have a confirmed release date, with more details expected in the future.