(Image credit: Raccoon Logic Studios)
As I embarked on building my homestead on a peculiar planet, my mission in Revenge of the Savage Planet quickly turned more surreal than expected. Stranded by my former corporate employer and dismissed via an abrupt video message, I find myself alone on a sprawling, grass-covered world teeming with bizarre creatures. While resources appear plentiful, some menacing oddities include a sentient skyscraper-sized tree demanding live worms and furballs secreting flammable goo. My new home will certainly take some getting used to.
That’s the essence of Revenge of The Savage Planet, the surprising sequel to 2020’s Journey To The Savage Planet. In a gaming landscape dominated by serious titles, Revenge of the Savage Planet refreshingly harks back to the carefree action platformers of the early 2000s.
Developer: In-house
Publisher: Raccoon Logic Studios
Platform(s): PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Release date: May 8, 2025
“You honestly never know how the industry will evolve, so we prefer not to follow trends,” remarks game designer Steven Masters. “We aimed to create a game where people can simply enjoy their existence – a place of fun.” Inspired by genres like Metroidvania and Ratchet and Clank, your mission involves exploring quirky sandboxes, mining materials, studying local wildlife, and transforming your crashed spaceship into a grand settlement.
While many developers struggle to capture a sense of childlike fun, Revenge Of The Planet excels. From the player avatar’s exaggerated animations to the chaotic reactions of raccoon-like creatures, each planet becomes a delightful playground. The switch to an over-the-shoulder perspective allows for engaging player expression. For example, dressing your astronaut in a legally distinct Han Solo-style outfit and a funny hat, only to have him comically slip on goo.
Players can venture solo across Revenge of the Savage Planet’s five planets, although Masters recommends bringing a ‘co-op meat clone’ for the thrill. In game development, trends can fade by a game’s release. After a tiring three and a half year development, Racoon Logic embraced local co-op thanks to Split Fiction’s success. Masters reflects, “It’s great to see Hazelight thriving in this space with games like It Takes Two. It validates the enduring appeal of co-op adventures.”
While Split Fiction evokes the Xbox 360 era, Revenge of The Savage Planet recalls the PS2 glory days, or at least as nostalgically remembered. This world’s playful, cartoonish violence is exemplified by anime-eyed mushroom creatures and hilarious raccoon kicks. Weekly digests, community tales, and more await players.
Influenced by everything from Jak and Daxter to Rick and Morty, Revenge of the Savage Planet embraces the absurdity and joys of gaming. The experience recalls weekends spent with two-player games in childhood, even allowing players to furnish their spaceship base reminiscent of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Masters shares, “Each item in your ship offers its own quirky interaction.”
The true joys are found outdoors. As players rebuild their ship and settle each planet, diverse game systems intersect like an immersive sim. With a goo gun, players creatively experiment with sticky projectiles, from lava coating enemies to suspension in chewing-gum-like gloop.
Each charming creature reacts uniquely to each substance. Whether changing fur color or slipping on pink sludge, playful experiments abound. Can’t climb that cliff? Create a goo-bridge! Facing a horde of critters? Apply flammable gunk and watch as chaos unfolds.
As players colonize planets, new FMV videos on the ship’s computer offer surreal peeks into the megacorp Alta Interglobal. A sly nod to industry dominance, Masters hints at the developer’s previous experiences with Google Stadia’s closure. If the first game questioned big business, Revenge of the Save Planet stands resolute.
The narrative unfolds via ship videos, leaving players free to engage as desired. Featuring colorful characters attempting contact and zany Rick and Morty-style commercials, these skits add offbeat humor. Even a brief demo revealed delightful easter eggs celebrating films and games alike.
It turns out co-op games are like buses – after Split Fiction’s release, Revenge of The Savage Planet arrives to deliver more multiplayer antics. Masters confirms, “The build is nearly complete, with Revenge hitting modern platforms by May 8.” The game could potentially land on Nintendo‘s upcoming console – stay tuned for developments.
Looking to embark on a new adventure with a friend? Dive into our best co-op games list for more recommendations!