New Indie Platformer Debuts During Steam Next Fest With Playable Demo
Independent publishers Red Dunes Games and Agate have revealed “Zozo and the Lost Dreams,” a colorful 2D Metroidvania platformer set to launch on PC and consoles in the second half of 2026.
The announcement coincides with Steam Next Fest, Valve’s recurring digital showcase that gives players early access to demos for upcoming games. A new playable preview for “Zozo and the Lost Dreams” is now available on PC, offering players an early look at the title’s imaginative dream-inspired world and fast-paced platforming gameplay.
Blending classic side-scrolling exploration with animated-cartoon aesthetics, the game aims to deliver a family-friendly action adventure built around creativity, humor and exploration.
A Dreamworld Adventure Centered on a Young Hero
The game follows Zozo, a 13-year-old aspiring superhero who enters a vivid dreamscape with the help of his eccentric neighbor, Professor Aisha. What begins as an imaginative adventure quickly turns dangerous after a mysterious glitch traps Zozo inside the dream world.
Players must guide Zozo through surreal environments as he searches for a way home.
According to the developers, the game draws inspiration from classic Metroidvania design, a genre known for interconnected maps, unlockable abilities and progression systems that encourage players to revisit earlier areas to uncover hidden paths and secrets.
Cartoon-Style Gameplay Meets Expansive Exploration
“Zozo and the Lost Dreams” features hand-crafted environments that shift between wildly different visual themes and gameplay styles. Levels include oversized dessert landscapes, futuristic neon jungles and bizarre dream-inspired settings where everyday objects become interactive tools or hazards.
Enemies also behave in unconventional ways. Some freeze when defeated, while others transform into shapes or platforms that players can use to navigate the environment.
The game’s episodic structure is designed to resemble channel surfing through animated television adventures, with each dream world introducing its own rules, mechanics and visual identity.
Key Gameplay Features
Developers highlighted several major gameplay elements planned for the full release, including:
- Large interconnected dream worlds with unlockable areas
- Platforming-focused movement and combat
- Puzzle-solving mechanics based on “dream logic”
- Distinct themed episodes with unique surprises
- Character interactions and story-driven progression
- Upgrade systems, weapons and traversal abilities
The title also includes traversal mechanics such as the “Dandelion Copter,” which appears in the playable demo and allows players to navigate certain sections of the map.
Steam Demo Offers Early Look at Gameplay
The newly released demo contains more than an hour of gameplay and introduces players to several core mechanics, combat systems and explorable areas.
Steam Next Fest has become an increasingly important showcase for indie developers looking to build momentum ahead of launch, especially in the U.S. and global PC gaming markets where digital wishlists and early community feedback can significantly influence visibility.
Players can currently add “Zozo and the Lost Dreams” to their Steam wishlists ahead of the game’s planned 2026 release window.
International Studios Behind the Project
“Zozo and the Lost Dreams” is being developed in partnership between Agate and Red Dunes Games.
About Agate
Agate International is an Indonesia-based game development company headquartered in Bandung. Founded in 2009, the studio has contributed to more than 250 games across platforms including PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, mobile devices and PC.
The company has worked with hundreds of clients globally and is considered one of Southeast Asia’s larger game development studios.
About Red Dunes Games
Red Dunes Games is an independent developer and publisher based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The company focuses on narrative-driven original titles and international publishing collaborations.
As global gaming audiences continue to show strong interest in indie platformers and retro-inspired exploration games, “Zozo and the Lost Dreams” enters a competitive but growing market alongside other stylized adventure titles that emphasize creativity and world-building.
With its animated presentation, whimsical environments and exploration-focused gameplay, the title is positioning itself as a family-friendly indie release to watch ahead of its 2026 debut.
Nicholas Sparks is an award-winning American writer whose bestselling novels have captivated readers for decades. Renowned for his emotional storytelling and timeless themes of love and hope, he remains one of the most influential authors in modern romance literature.
