A war is brewing in the Animal Punk universe, and Zoopunk puts players right at the heart of it. Serving as a prequel to 2021’s F.I.S.T.: Forged in Shadow Torch, this new action-adventure from TiGames dives deep into the origins of Torch City, where mechanical empires rise and animal factions fight to survive. With its rich dieselpunk world, three playable heroes, and cutting-edge AI features, Zoopunk looks ready to expand its beloved universe with bold new ideas.
A return to the Animal Punk world with a new timeline and powerful tech
TiGames has built a reputation for crafting worlds that feel alive, dangerous, and full of purpose. With Zoopunk, the studio returns to its universe decades before Rayton’s revolution in F.I.S.T., trading tight Metroidvania corridors for sprawling action-adventure design powered by Unreal Engine 5. The result is a visually stunning world where every corner hides secrets shaped by the Fire Seed—the mysterious energy source that changed everything.
Set during the First Torch War, Zoopunk explores how this unstable force split the planet into scattered regions. Each zone bears scars of both progress and ruin: a nomadic workshop city that drifts like a caravan; a molten industrial fortress filled with smoke and steel; a rare untouched forest sanctuary preserved against all odds; and a broken citadel where soldiers cling to fading order. These aren’t just backdrops—they’re battlegrounds shaped by ideology, geography, and desperation.
The Fire Seed didn’t jus
t bring power—it brought consequences. When it awakened mechanical debris into self-aware machines, those machines rose up against their creators. Now animals from rival tribes must form uneasy alliances to fight back against an empire of cold logic and metal claws. It’s not just about survival—it’s about reclaiming identity in a world tearing itself apart.
Three heroes, three fighting styles—and one war worth winning
Combat in Zoopunk is built around diversity of playstyle without sacrificing depth. Players can step into the paws—or hooves—of three distinct characters: Rayton the Rabbit, Braton the Rhino, and Trixie the Chipmunk. Each brings their own strengths to battle, offering more than just visual flair.
Rayton returns as the resistance leader: fast on his feet and deadly up close. His melee attacks come quick and sharp, making him perfect for aggressive players who like dancing around enemies before delivering swift combos. Then there’s Braton—a towering rhino whose flaming greatsword leaves nothing but wreckage in its wake. He trades speed for overwhelming power, ideal for those who enjoy timing heavy strikes with devastating results.
Trixie might be small, but she moves like lightning. Using acrobatics and parkour-based movesets, she excels at dodging danger while landing precise hits. Her hit-and-run tactics add verticality to combat encounters—a fresh twist Prod recalls admiring when first watching her scale a wall mid-fight before flipping onto an enemy’s back in one smooth animation.
The brilliance lies not only in how these characters fight individually but how they contrast each other in rhythm and strategy. By encouraging character switching mid-mission or across sequences, Zoopunk invites experimentation without forcing players down one path.
AI brings life to characters—and ships—to reshape interaction
One of Zoopunk’s most surprising innovations comes from its use of NVIDIA ACE
technology—an experimental system that redefines NPC interaction using real-time AI responses. Characters in this world don’t just repeat scripted lines; they react dynamically based on what players say or do through voice recognition or typed dialogue.
This system doesn’t only affect conversations—it changes immersion entirely. NPCs animate with expressive lip-syncing and emotional cues tailored to context. It’s no longer about clicking through dialogue trees; it’s about engaging with characters who feel like they’re thinking on their own.
The AI doesn’t stop there. Ship customization—often an afterthought in many action games—is turned into an intelligent sandbox powered by GeForce RTX hardware. As players tweak their vessel’s layout or appearance, AI systems offer smart suggestions based on combat preferences or mission needs. This allows freedom without confusion—a balance rarely struck in gear-heavy RPG systems.
During an early look at this system, Prod watched as a player upgraded their ship’s core engine after receiving personalized tips from the AI itself—not just menu numbers but real explanations about why faster acceleration might help escape heavier units during infiltration missions.
A dieselpunk dreamscape painted with cinematic strokes
Visually, Zoopunk leans fully into its dieselpunk roots—but not with dull grays or rusted sameness. Instead, it mixes sharp industrial lines with bursts of vibrant color: glowing fire seed veins pulsing beneath iron walkways; sparks flying as gears clash over cobbled bridges; neon symbols flickering above crumbling towers swallowed by vines.
This isn’t dystopia for its own sake—it’s beauty born from conflict. TiGames frames much of this story using cinematic tools: sweeping camera angles during dramatic reveals; tightly framed moments during personal confrontations between enemies turned allies; quiet pauses that let players take in devastation—and decide what it means to them.
The use of Unreal Engine 5 ensures that even amidst chaos—lava flows beneath scaffolding or dust storms swallowing outposts—the game runs smoothly thanks to optimized AI systems regulating performance behind-the-scenes.
When does Zoopunk come out?
As of now, TiGames hasn’t shared an official release date for Zoopunk—but anticipation is building quickly within fan circles eager for more details. The game is confirmed for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and Microsoft Store platforms.
One speculative listing hints at 2027 for Xbox platforms specifically—but until TiGames confirms it directly, such timelines should be taken as placeholders rather than promises. What’s certain is that development continues actively with regular updates expected “in the near future.”
A connected universe made stronger through evolution
What sets Zoopunk apart isn’t just its bold visuals or smart tech—it’s how it strengthens TiGames’ growing Animal Punk saga while opening new doors for fresh fans. For those who played F.I.S.T., there are familiar names here—Rayton’s origins deepen his role while explaining how Torch City came to be what it was years later.
But newcomers won’t need prior knowledge to dive into this war-torn world full of character-driven choices and explosive action scenes straight out of an animated epic film. The multi-character approach also challenges genre norms: rather than locking players into one path or style, it offers freedom through identity—a rabbit’s precision strike here; a rhino’s thunderous blow there; a chipmunk’s daring leap across flames elsewhere.
If TiGames can maintain narrative consistency while balancing these mechanical intricacies across gameplay segments—as they did once before—they may very well craft another cult favorite destined for more than just niche praise.
With AI-driven storytelling reshaping player interaction and expressive combat bringing animal instincts to life on screen—could Zoopunk become the standard-bearer for cinematic action RPGs moving forward?
F.A.Q.
What platforms is Zoopunk available on?
Zoopunk is confirmed to be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC through platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, and Microsoft Store.
What type of game is Zoopunk?
Zoopunk is a 3D action-adventure game with elements of an action RPG. It combines dieselpunk aesthetics with a richly detailed world, offering a fresh take on gameplay set in the Animal Punk universe.
Does Zoopunk have multiplayer features?
The article and research do not mention multiplayer features in Zoopunk. The game focuses on a single-player experience with a strong narrative and character-driven gameplay.
What makes Zoopunk’s AI system unique?
Zoopunk features an innovative AI system powered by NVIDIA ACE technology. This AI-driven system allows NPCs to interact naturally with players through voice recognition and text translation, offering dynamic and expressive interactions that enhance immersion.
Who are the playable characters in Zoopunk?
Zoopunk features three distinct playable characters: Rayton the Rabbit, Braton the Rhino, and Trixie the Chipmunk. Each character offers unique combat styles, allowing players to experiment with different approaches in battles.
When is the release date for Zoopunk?
As of now, TiGames has not announced an official release date for Zoopunk. However, it is confirmed that development is ongoing, with more updates expected in the near future.
Is Zoopunk a prequel to another game?
Yes, Zoopunk serves as a prequel to the 2021 game F.I.S.T.: Forged in Shadow Torch. It explores the origins of Torch City and the events leading up to the First Torch War, enriching the Animal Punk universe.
