ZOE Begone! Brings 1930s Drawn-on-Film Mayhem to PC and Consoles Today
Happy Little Bullets: Meet (and battle) your maker in the frenetic bullet hell shooter available now on Steam, PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch™
Las Vegas, NV – September 17 – From a single stubborn splodge of ink comes a whirlwind of hand-drawn mayhem: PM Studios™ and Retchy Games launch ZOE Begone! today across Steam, PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch™.
In this high-energy shoot 'em up adventure, players guide fearless heroine Zoe as she battles the Animator, her relentless adversary who sketches dangers directly into her path. Frame by frame, the Animator twists the reel into new threats, and Zoe must fight to break free from their restless imagination to achieve one ultimate goal in mind - returning to her peaceful snooze. Zoe's world is brought to life through hand-drawn enemies created by none other than The Animator, scribbling them into existence in an effort to take her down.
Watch the release trailer here: https://youtu.be/Hn1RHUN6ZWU
"ZOE Begone! is all about embracing imperfection - every jitter of ink, every ragged edge, every chaotic bullet," stated Graeme Hawkins, Retchy Games. "I hope players lean into that messiness, because for me, that's where the magic lives."
"At PM Studios, we love championing creators who dare to be different; Graeme's vision for ZOE Begone! is exactly that," says Ami Blaire, CMO, PM Studios. "It's a perfect reminder of why indies matter, and we're honored to launch it with Retchy Games."
Capturing the charm of the 1930s drawn-on-film aesthetic, ZOE Begone! is an indie bullet hell shooter created by solo Scottish developer Graeme Hawkins, aka Retchy Games, where players will dash, shoot, and chain combos through reels of film, fighting dangerous enemies and collecting Apples as currency for powerful upgrades and abilities along the way. The third-wall-breaking Animator uses an array of tools at their disposal to draw Zoe's enemies, from pens and pencils to knives and even fingers! Tailor your run to suit your playstyle and take down the antagonistic Animator, maybe even bagging a high score along the way.
Key Features:
- Striking Hand-Drawn Visuals: Fully hand-drawn animations inspired by the animations of Norman McLaren and the golden age of arcade shooters.
- Enemy Chain Scoring System: Keep the action going with high-risk, high-reward chain combos, rewarding aggressive yet strategic gameplay.
Global Leaderboards: Compete with players around the globe (as well as yourself) to bag the highest score possible. - Dynamic Upgrades: Choose between spending your Apples to gain new power-ups, weapons and abilities, or save them for game-altering updates later in a run - the choice is yours.
- Multiple Modes: Switch between classic arcade runs, time-based challenges, and a high-octane boss rush; tackle the action however you want, and learn to master your favourite playstyle.
- Multilayered Difficulty & Combat: Fly or fight on foot across Easy, Normal, and Hard difficulties—each with unique scoring potential and enemy patterns.
- Resource-Based Combat System: Manage your Energy to fly, dash, and pound through enemies—or trade it for short-lived, powerful weapons.
The full press kit for ZOE Begone! can be found [here].
###
About PM Studios
PM Studios is a game developer and publisher dedicated to championing indie innovation and delivering bold, unforgettable gaming experiences to players around the world. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Las Vegas, with international operations in Seoul, Korea, PM Studios brings deep expertise in development, distribution, and publishing — with a growing slate of acclaimed titles and popular franchises across console, PC, and mobile.
At PM Studios, creativity comes without compromise. We empower creators, connect communities, and invite players everywhere to unleash their wonder. Come play. www.pm-studios.com
About Retchy Games
Retchy Games is the independent studio of Glasgow-based animator and game designer Graeme Hawkins, known for fusing traditional hand-drawn animation with inventive, arcade-inspired gameplay. With over a decade of experience in experimental animation and visual storytelling, Graeme brings a bold, expressive sensibility to interactive media - crafting games that feel as dynamic as they look. ZOE Begone!, Retchy's debut title, channels that philosophy into a chaotic, handcrafted bullet hell built from ink, motion, and defiance. www.retchy.com
