Apes Out! Swinging into an Artistic and Frantic Jungle Escape

Imagine a primal roar erupting as you, a monstrous gorilla fueled by pure rage, smash through laboratory cages, sending scientists scattering like ants before a dropped picnic basket. That’s the essence of Apes Out, a frenetic action game where violence meets art in a symphony of smashing, slashing, and escaping.
Developed by the indie studio Hulking Muscle Games and published by Devolver Digital in 2019, Apes Out immediately grabbed attention with its distinctive visual style, blending hand-drawn aesthetics with gritty, visceral gameplay.
The Plot: Revenge Fueled by a Cage In Apes Out, you play as an ape who awakens to find himself trapped within the confines of a high-tech laboratory. The “why” isn’t explicitly laid out—the game prefers to let players interpret the story through environmental storytelling and raw emotion.
What drives this gorilla is pure, unadulterated rage. He tears through his captors with primal ferocity, leaving a trail of broken bodies and splintered furniture in his wake. His escape becomes a brutal ballet of destruction, where every level transforms into a chaotic playground for unleashing animalistic fury.
Themes: Exploring the Wild Within Beneath the surface-level mayhem, Apes Out explores intriguing themes about captivity, freedom, and the primal instincts that lie dormant within us all. The game doesn’t shy away from depicting violence, but it’s not gratuitous; it’s a tool for expressing the ape’s overwhelming desire to break free from his confinement.
The environments themselves reflect this struggle—stark labs with flickering fluorescent lights contrast sharply against lush jungles and ancient temples, suggesting a yearning for a return to the natural world.
Production Features: Where Art Meets Gameplay Apes Out’s striking visual style is one of its most memorable aspects. The game employs hand-drawn graphics that evoke a sense of raw energy and immediacy.
The animation is fluid and impactful, capturing the weight and power of the ape’s movements with every brutal throw and bone-shattering punch.
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Visual Style | Hand-drawn art with a bold, expressive color palette |
Gameplay Mechanics | Fast-paced action focused on melee combat and level traversal |
Sound Design | Eerie ambient music interspersed with visceral sound effects |
Level Design | Unique environments ranging from laboratories to ancient ruins |
Difficulty | Challenging but fair, encouraging replayability |
Apes Out’s soundtrack deserves special mention. The game’s composer, Sam Jones, crafted an unnerving yet compelling soundscape that perfectly complements the on-screen action. Eerie ambient melodies heighten tension as you stalk through shadowy hallways, punctuated by bone-crunching sound effects when you unleash your fury upon unsuspecting guards.
The Gameplay: Frantic and Fluid Playing Apes Out is a visceral experience. You control the ape using simple controls—a single button for attack, another for grabbing enemies or objects. The game emphasizes momentum and timing; stringing together combos with throws, slams, and charged punches feels satisfyingly brutal.
Levels are designed to encourage exploration and experimentation. Hidden pathways reward those who pay attention to their surroundings. The environment itself becomes a weapon—you can throw barrels, rip off ventilation shafts, or even use electrified fences against your pursuers.
Replayability: A Gorilla’s Never Done
Apes Out’s short but sweet campaign (clocking in around 2-3 hours) encourages multiple playthroughs thanks to its scoring system and unlockable modifiers.
Successfully navigating a level without getting hit unlocks special rewards, further challenging skilled players.
Modifiers add an extra layer of depth by introducing elements like limited vision or increased enemy aggression.
A Final Roar Apes Out is more than just a mindless button-masher; it’s a beautifully crafted experience that blends visceral action with thought-provoking themes and stunning visuals. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer seeking a fresh challenge or simply looking for a unique and unforgettable adventure, Apes Out delivers a primal punch of gaming fun.