Darwin’s Paradox! is a story-driven adventure platformer from French indie studio ZDT Studio, published by Konami, where you play as Darwin, a clever octopus ripped from the ocean and dumped into a sprawling industrial complex. The game blends cinematic platforming, stealth, and puzzle-solving, and has been turning heads since its reveal. If you want to know when it launches, how much it costs, and what platforms it supports, here is everything confirmed so far.
Darwin’s Paradox! Release Date
Darwin’s Paradox! launches on April 2, 2026, simultaneously across all platforms. There is no staggered release, so every player worldwide gets access at the same moment, regardless of their platform.
Here is the full global launch time breakdown:
| Region | Local Launch Time |
| Los Angeles (West US) | April 2 – 9:00 AM PDT |
| Chicago (Central US) | April 2 – 11:00 AM CDT |
| New York (East US) | April 2 – 12:00 PM EDT |
| São Paulo (Brazil) | April 2 – 1:00 PM BRT |
| London (UK) | April 2 – 5:00 PM BST |
| Berlin / Paris (Central Europe) | April 2 – 6:00 PM CEST |
| Riyadh (Middle East) | April 2 – 7:00 PM AST |
| New Delhi (South Asia) | April 2 – 9:30 PM IST |
| Beijing (East Asia) | April 3 – 12:00 AM CST |
| Tokyo (Japan) | April 3 – 1:00 AM JST |
| Sydney (Australia) | April 3 – 3:00 AM AEDT |
| Auckland (New Zealand) | April 3 – 5:00 AM NZDT |
Darwin’s Paradox! Platforms
Darwin’s Paradox! launches on the following platforms:
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S
- Nintendo Switch 2
- PC via Steam
- PC via Epic Games Store
The game is built for current-generation hardware only. There are no confirmed versions for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, or the original Nintendo Switch.
Darwin’s Paradox! Price and Editions
| Edition | Price | Contents |
| Standard Edition | $24.99 | Base game + “Psyched” pre-order skin |
| Collector’s Edition | $124.99 | Physical copy, Darwin figurine, Steelbook with UFood slipcover, original soundtrack CD, engraved wooden pin, certificate of authenticity |
You can purchase the Standard Edition digitally via Steam, the Epic Games Store, the PlayStation Store, the Microsoft Store, or the Nintendo eShop. The Collector’s Edition is handled by Limited Run Games and is expected to ship slightly after the digital launch date. Note that the exact contents and availability of the Collector’s Edition should be verified on the Limited Run Games or Konami official pages closer to launch, as physical edition details can change ahead of release.
Pre-order bonus: Players who pre-order the game receive both the “Psyched” and “Dotted” skins for Darwin.
PC System Requirements
If you plan to play on PC, here is what your machine needs:
| Minimum | Recommended | |
| OS | Windows 10 | Windows 10 or 11 |
| Processor | AMD or Intel quad-core, 2.5GHz or faster | AMD or Intel 8-core, 3.5GHz or faster |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 16GB RAM |
| Graphics | Nvidia RTX 2060 6GB or AMD RX 5600 XT 6GB | Nvidia RTX 3060 8GB or AMD RX 6600 XT 8GB |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 |
| Storage | 10GB | 10GB |
| Notes | 720p at 30 FPS on Low settings | 1080p at 30 to 60 FPS on Medium settings |
An SSD is recommended for both minimum and recommended configurations.
The Demo: Try It Before Launch
A free Tactical Octopus Action Demo is available right now across all platforms ahead of the April 2 launch. Here is what it includes:
- A 45 to 60 minute slice of the early game covering both the UFood factory floors and the underwater sewer systems
- An exclusive “Snake” skin for Darwin, a nod to Konami’s Metal Gear Solid series. The skin gives Darwin a familiar bandana and tactical look while hiding in cardboard boxes
- Save data carries over to the full game on the same platform, so you do not replay the opening when you buy the full version
- The Snake skin will also be hidden as an Easter Egg in the main game for players to discover
What Kind of Game Is Darwin’s Paradox?
Darwin’s Paradox! is a single-player only stealth-platformer built on Unreal Engine 5, where being small and clever matters far more than brute force. There are no multiplayer modes. The game is designed as a focused, cinematic experience that prioritises storytelling, clever stealth, and puzzle-solving over open-world scale or combat. It carries an ESRB rating of Everyone 10+ for fantasy violence and mild animated content. The core mechanics include:
- Camouflage: Darwin physically matches the texture and colour of whatever surface he touches, so timing your movements between enemy patrols is essential
- Ink Shooter: Above ground, it blinds robots and short-circuits electronics. Underwater, it doubles as propulsion and a smoke screen
- Platforming and Puzzles: The game balances movement sequences across walls, ceilings, and pipes with puzzle-solving across its levels
- Animated film aesthetic: The game draws visual inspiration from high-end animated cinema, with rich artistic direction throughout
Darwin’s Paradox! was revealed during PlayStation’s State of Play in February 2025 and has been developed by ZDT Studio, a French indie team of around 20 developers with backgrounds in games, cinema, and animation.
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