Hand-Drawn Bullet Hell Shooter ZOE Begone! Unleashes Retro Mayhem on September 17
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2025 12:57 pm
Hand-Drawn Bullet Hell Shooter ZOE Begone! Unleashes Retro Mayhem on September 17
Old-School Animation meets High-Octane Chaos as ZOE Begone!™ Launches on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch
Las Vegas, NV – August 12 – Grab your Apples and ready your dash, because ZOE Begone!™ is bringing its hand-drawn bullet hell arcade gameplay to PC and consoles on September 17, 2025. Created by solo developer Retchy, players will step into the role of Zoe - a feisty film-strip heroine, who wants nothing more than to take a peaceful nap. But when the Animator starts scribbling chaos into her world, she must fight back. Armed with run-and-gun reflexes, screen-clearing dashes, and a deeply questionable tolerance for surreal cartoon physics, Zoe must get ready to reclaim her reel from the painted hordes of enemies poised to take her down.
Inspired by 1930s drawn-on-film animation - particularly the work of Norman McLaren - and the golden age of arcade shooters, ZOE Begone!™ blends classic shoot ‘em up design with modern, exciting action - players can shoot, dash, and pound their way through creations of the Animator, who scribbles enemies into existence with the help of a trusty paintbrush and pen. Watch out for the gigantic paintbrush swinging to bring the next wave of foes to life, and prepare for the fourth wall-breaking humor as you blast your way through the chaos. Just be sure to keep an eye out for the enemies that splatter ink upon defeat, and don’t be surprised if you end up with a little mess on your hands!
The brand new trailer gives fans a new look at the chaos unleashed in Zoe's world, and can be viewed here:
Destroy the Animator's tools, blast their creations to bits, collect Apples to spend on power-ups, and reclaim your serene surroundings to help Zoe get the break she deserves as fast as you can (and bag yourself a high score in the process).
Key Features:
Hand-Drawn Animations: Fully hand-drawn animations, inspired by the aesthetic of the 1930s.
Frenetic Bullet-Hell Gameplay: Dash, shoot, and pound your way through chaotic arenas packed with enemies drawn by the Animator.
Dynamic Upgrades: Collect Apples to unlock new weapons, game-changing power-ups, and passive abilities to help evolve your playstyle. Spend them early for a boost now, or save up for big, strategic upgrades later on - the choice is yours!
Infinite Replayability: With multiple modes, a wide selection of levels, and online leaderboards, gameplay feels fresh every time you jump into the game.
Groovy Soundtrack: A jazzy, reactive soundtrack to emphasize every dodge, dash, and victory.
Multiple Modes:
Arcade: Players are tasked with taking down the Animator themselves.
Time Attack: Race against the clock to beat the Animator as time ticks down to zero.
Frame Trap: Fight off everything the animator has to throw at you in an extended boss rush.
A free playable demo is available on Steam now: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1266610/ZOE_Begone/
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
Old-School Animation meets High-Octane Chaos as ZOE Begone!™ Launches on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch
Las Vegas, NV – August 12 – Grab your Apples and ready your dash, because ZOE Begone!™ is bringing its hand-drawn bullet hell arcade gameplay to PC and consoles on September 17, 2025. Created by solo developer Retchy, players will step into the role of Zoe - a feisty film-strip heroine, who wants nothing more than to take a peaceful nap. But when the Animator starts scribbling chaos into her world, she must fight back. Armed with run-and-gun reflexes, screen-clearing dashes, and a deeply questionable tolerance for surreal cartoon physics, Zoe must get ready to reclaim her reel from the painted hordes of enemies poised to take her down.
Inspired by 1930s drawn-on-film animation - particularly the work of Norman McLaren - and the golden age of arcade shooters, ZOE Begone!™ blends classic shoot ‘em up design with modern, exciting action - players can shoot, dash, and pound their way through creations of the Animator, who scribbles enemies into existence with the help of a trusty paintbrush and pen. Watch out for the gigantic paintbrush swinging to bring the next wave of foes to life, and prepare for the fourth wall-breaking humor as you blast your way through the chaos. Just be sure to keep an eye out for the enemies that splatter ink upon defeat, and don’t be surprised if you end up with a little mess on your hands!
The brand new trailer gives fans a new look at the chaos unleashed in Zoe's world, and can be viewed here:
Destroy the Animator's tools, blast their creations to bits, collect Apples to spend on power-ups, and reclaim your serene surroundings to help Zoe get the break she deserves as fast as you can (and bag yourself a high score in the process).
Key Features:
Hand-Drawn Animations: Fully hand-drawn animations, inspired by the aesthetic of the 1930s.
Frenetic Bullet-Hell Gameplay: Dash, shoot, and pound your way through chaotic arenas packed with enemies drawn by the Animator.
Dynamic Upgrades: Collect Apples to unlock new weapons, game-changing power-ups, and passive abilities to help evolve your playstyle. Spend them early for a boost now, or save up for big, strategic upgrades later on - the choice is yours!
Infinite Replayability: With multiple modes, a wide selection of levels, and online leaderboards, gameplay feels fresh every time you jump into the game.
Groovy Soundtrack: A jazzy, reactive soundtrack to emphasize every dodge, dash, and victory.
Multiple Modes:
Arcade: Players are tasked with taking down the Animator themselves.
Time Attack: Race against the clock to beat the Animator as time ticks down to zero.
Frame Trap: Fight off everything the animator has to throw at you in an extended boss rush.
A free playable demo is available on Steam now: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1266610/ZOE_Begone/
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