Among the grim shooters, action titles, and gacha RPGs that paid out the nozzle for space at this year’s Game Awards, one rather fluffy and colorful addition made its wider appearance: Aniimo, an adorable looking open world creature collection RPG from developer Pawprint Studio, which used the event’s stage to unveil its next closed beta test as well as show off the game.
The trailer from this year’s TGA doesn’t provide any actual gameplay – the footage is an in-engine cinematic – but it does set the stage of a bright world filled with the titular aniimo, as well as some social activities, a little bit of combat, and a bit of farming and hanging out in social spaces. The game’s Steam page and a presser from the studio further explain some of the things players can do in Aniimo, such as roam the world to capture and battle alongside aniimo, take direct control of creatures to solve puzzles and combat encounters, and engage in multiplayer-specific activities such as a PvPvE egg heist mode or hang out in parked RVs at the farmsteading homeland.
Aniimo is currently taking sign-ups for its second closed beta, which will be on PC and iOS platforms. Timing and details about what this test will offer isn’t provided, but Pawprint promises more information on social media soon, and players will not be under an NDA so their time in-game can be freely shared. As for the title’s full release, that’s planned for sometime in 2026 as a free-to-play title on PC, Xbox consoles, and mobile devices.
