Punchimals is a new indie game promising to deliver a fun and chaotic experience of physics-based mech combat with adorable animal pilots – a promising premise, to be sure. The game is developed by Two Lives Left, an indie studio based in Sydney, Australia, and published by the same company. The game is set to release sometime in 2024 on Steam, and it has already generated a lot of buzz with its colourful and quirky announcement trailer (embedded below).

According to the trailer and the recent announcement by the indie studio, Punchimals features a variety of cute, chubby animals that can pilot giant mechs with different abilities and weapons. The mechs are controlled by using both analogue sticks on a game controller, one for the body and one for the paw movement, while the bumpers and triggers are used for attacks and special moves. The game aims to offer a simple, yet deep, combat system rewarding skill and mastery, and a whole lot of entertainment value via bespoke humour and charm.

Punchimals will apparently support both local and online multiplayer modes, with options for 1v1, tag team, and tandem battles. The game will also have a single player campaign mode, where players will learn more about the world and the characters. As far as narratives go, the game’s story is set in a world where obesity and mech combat have ravaged the globe due to a lack of exercise and, according to the studio, ‘certainly not because of an overuse of mechs in everyday life’. Two Lives Left says the game will explore the themes of friendship, rivalry, and environmental issues through its quirky and witty dialogue.

Punchimals looks like it could be a lot of fun for fans of fighting games, mechs, and cute animals – a pretty great combination – and is quickly becoming one of the most anticipated indie games of 2024. Here is hoping it will deliver a unique and enjoyable experience for gamers of all ages once it launches.

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Owner, founder and editor-in-chief at Vamers, Hans has a vested interest in geek culture and the interactive entertainment industry. With a Masters degree in Communications and Ludology, he is well read and versed in matters relating to video games and communication media, among many other topics of interest.