KarmaZoo is a new multiplayer game that focuses on cooperation and collaboration over competition, where groups of players will work together to traverse increasingly difficult levels. The release comes from developer Pastagames, which in the past has worked on other titles like PAC-MAN Party Royale and Rayman Legends, and Devolver Digital, the indie-specialist publisher with recent games like Cult of the Lamb, Return to Monkey Island, and Trek to Yomi. Screen Rant recently participated in a KarmaZoo hands-on preview alongside other players that showed off its unique gameplay.
The main goal of KarmaZoo is to earn Karma Hearts, which are in turn used to possess statues held within the game's main hub area, called the sanctuary; when every one has been possessed, players will be able to escape the Zoo. These statues represent different creatures, although not all of them are animals, with choices like elephant, spider, com, and teapot all being viable options. Once unlocked, these become available for players to transform into for a run through the Loop, each of which possessing different special abilities, like elephants being able to ram through walls and comes pointing to collectibles.
There are two modes of gameplay in KarmaZoo, Loop and Totem. Loops are sets of increasingly difficult platforming levels that up to 10 players will tackle together using a variety of mechanics, the largest of which is the halo. This is a bubble that surrounds a group and keeps them alive, as well as making sure no one gets left behind. As long as players are within the halo, they will always be revived, and are actually encouraged to temporarily kill their character in order to help others. When a player dies within the halo, a tombstone block will form where they perished, helping others get over dangerous spaces.
However, the halo in rounds of KarmaZoo isn't relegated to a single mass; as long as players split off in together, there can be multiple blobs of safety as they explore the map. Each Loop area comes with a time limit and uniquely generated challenges based on the talents of the characters at hand - a group with spiders will encounter webs, for example. The other unique platforming mechanic in KarmaZoo is singing, which is used to do things like unlock doors and activate platforms. Each creature has their own amusing sound, and players will need to coordinate their voices to help everyone through the level.
Between Loop levels, players will be able to vote for a new perk to apply to the next one, with more options being unlocked by the amount of fruit collected in previous rounds. Some of these are useful, like making keys glow in the dark or awarding extra Karma Hearts, while others are just for fun, like one called Guest Saxophonist which fills the next level with jazzy music. This is a recurring them in KarmaZoo - back at the sanctuary, there are perks that can be unlocked alongside creatures like increased survival time outside the halo, but players can also choose sillier options like dance moves.
The other game mode in KarmaZoo, Totem, is where elements of competition come in. Groups of up to eight players will vote on different minigames, like obstacle courses or races to see who can light the most torches, and play against each other locally or with an online lobby system. Loop can only be done online, but also has the option of a lobby to match with friends, and both modes will offer crossplay.
Of all the multiplayer games releasing this year, KarmaZoo looks to encourage some of the most unique dynamics between players. It's a lighthearted title about being ive and looking out for one another, which is a rarity in most online landscapes. Although there's no exact release date yet, players will be able to enter the chaotically fun Loop of KarmaZoo later this year.
Source: DevolverDigital/YouTube
KarmaZoo will release for PlayStation consoles, Xbox consoles, Nintendo Switch, and PC this summer. Screen Rant was provided with a Steam code for the purpose of this preview.
