"Darwin's Paradox!": the most unlikely hero of the year

Kevin Hofer

31/3/2026

Translation: machine translated

Pictures: Kevin Hofer

What do "Frogger" and "Metal Gear Solid" have in common? They come from Konami - and appear in "Darwin's Paradox!" as charming allusions. But the game is far more than a copy: it proves to be a great platformer in its own right.

I watch the guards from the safety of a crate. As soon as I've sussed out their routes, I leave my hiding place and sprint off - in true Solid Snake style. But suddenly I hear a frog croaking in the distance. What awaits me this time? The guards, who kill me mercilessly when they spot me, make me nervous. As I climb over a fence, the croaking gets louder - and mixes with the noise of traffic. Eventually I find myself on a busy road. There I spot the frog hopping away. And me? I have to cross the road «Frogger»-style.

Scenes like this remind us that «Darwin's Paradox!» was developed by Konami. Developed by ZDT Studio, the game is teeming with references to other classics from the publisher. But the real star is octopus Darwin. Octopuses have been cult since «My Octopus Teacher» at the latest - and the gaming world has now recognised this. Controlling Darwin is great fun, even if the game is not without its weaknesses.

A story without words

Darwin involuntarily ends up on a rubbish dump after sinister figures kidnap his boyfriend - or girlfriend? While he searches for the kidnapped man, he also tries to escape his own captivity.

This tells the story of «Darwin's Paradox!». The game hardly needs words: as in «Flow» or «Wall-E», images and environments do the talking. Each new scene reinforces the oppressive but hopeful mood - subtly and effectively. The developers avoid exaggerated drama or bombastic effects. The art style fits perfectly and the soundtrack, such as «Back to the Sea», creates the right atmosphere.

With the abilities of an octopus

In the shadows, I creep across car parks, through crazy industrial complexes or glide through Darwin's element: water. Sometimes he crawls across the ground, sometimes he sticks to walls and ceilings. The latter decisively characterises the feel of the game. Unfamiliar at first, sticking to walls quickly becomes second nature and opens up completely new movement possibilities. A special slime cancels out this ability and forces me to analyse my surroundings carefully. In the water, Darwin becomes a nimble hunter - unfortunately, these sections occur too rarely.

In addition to gluing, Darwin can shoot ink and camouflage itself. The ink is convincing: it serves clever puzzles and distracts guards. The camouflage, on the other hand, feels contrived. Although the sneaky passages are fun, the camouflage doesn't fit seamlessly into the game. The idea remains immature.

The game is short. The credits roll after about five hours. But I see that as an advantage. All the mechanics are given enough space without being repetitive.

Challenging, but fair

The level design shines. Puzzles and platform sequences are accessible without being trivial. Some passages require precise timing and challenge even experienced players. It's not «Super Mario Maker» madness, but it's challenging enough to keep you hooked. Challenging, fair and satisfying.

Although linear, the game offers optional detours. If you search off the main paths, you will discover posters with background information about the game world. These short detours are worthwhile. It is often not clear which path is the right one - a clever trick that invites you to play again.

«Darwin's Paradox!» is available from 2 April for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2 and PC. The game was provided to me by Konami for testing purposes.

Kevin Hofer

Senior Editor

kevin.hofer@digitecgalaxus.ch

From big data to big brother, Cyborgs to Sci-Fi. All aspects of technology and society fascinate me.

---

Review

Which films, shows, books, games or board games are genuinely great? Recommendations from our personal experience.

Show all

These articles might also interest you