Darwin’s Paradox makes a splash onto PS5 (2025)

Update:A previous version of this article inaccurately states Beauty Mode runs in 4k and 60fps. The text has since been updated to correct this.

Embark on an extraordinary adventure in Darwin’s Paradox. Coming to PS5 later this year, take on the role of Darwin, an octopus snatched from the sea and thrust into a mysterious food factory. This action-adventure, story-based platformer is packed with enhanced visuals and controller features that bring an exhilarating adventure with wacky characters to life.

French developers over at ZDT Studio started working on Darwin’s Paradox with one goal in mind: to let players truly understand what it feels like to be an octopus. With the PS5’s DualSense controller, we finally had the technology to bring that immersive experience to life.

Let’s dive in

Our protagonist Darwin has all the evolutionary features of an octopus including the ability to climb almost any surface, camouflage himself, and also the skill to shoot ink to evade his enemies. Haptic feedback on the DualSense controller’s triggers will give you the satisfying feeling of firing off multiple shots of black ink to hit hard-to-reach levers and buttons, or to blind security camera feeds to plan your escape. When swimming in underwater scenarios, the ink shot disperses into the water, creating a perfect back smokescreen to help you get past searchlights without being spotted – just like octopi do in the real world when they feel threatened by a predator in the wild.

Keeping a close eye on your environment is key if you want to survive. As a typical octopus is known to do, Darwin can also morph his skin to match the spot he’s in – essentially creating camouflage to hide and avoid detection.

Darwin’s movements across the world are meticulously tracked with controller vibrations, giving you a sense of connection to our curious cephalopod everywhere he climbs. When you get hit, you feel it. In a world as dangerous as the one Darwin dares to explore, there will be short-circuit shocks, crushing machines of twisted metal, and roaming packs of rabid rats looking to make Darwin a tasty meal.

Sea and hear a whole new world

Darwin’s Paradox brings all the vibrancy and hues of the ocean floor thanks to HDR support and volumetric shadows with lighting and raytracing. Plus, it sports a Beauty Mode in 4k and 60fps 30fps and a performance mode at 60fps locked with dynamic 4K scaling.

Listening closely to audio cues is also important to Darwin’s survival. Luckily, you can rely on the DualSense controller speakers for noises like squeaking rats on the prowl or alarm sounds to warn you of potential trouble. Sound-emitting speakers from your controller coupled with the high-definition visuals of Darwin’s Paradox bring this new world to life.

While octopi do have nine brains and incredible levels of intelligence, sometimes everyone needs a little help. Tapping on the PS5 controller touchpad brings up clues and other messages that help Darwin solve puzzles or get through obstacles. Feeling stuck? Tapping on the touchpad gives you a small nudge to keep the game flowing and avoid getting stuck – think of the touchpad support as one of your nine brains!

Darwin’s Paradox will be available on PS5 and is available to wishlist now – do so to stay up to date for pre-order availability and other announcements. We’ll also share more information about the game later in the year, so keep your tentacles glued to us for more.

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