Cats have (rightfully) gained superstar status in the gaming world, courtesy of Annapurna Interactive’s Stray, the more recent Little Kitty, Big City, and friendly interactions in other titles, so it’s only fair that their canine counterparts are getting their time to shine. After all, dogs deserve more love for being man’s best friend both in both real life and fiction — Amaterasu, the wolflike deity from Capcom’s Okami, and loyal Fallout 4 companion Dogmeat are prime examples that players grew enamoured with.
Barkour, the latest stealth game from Bee Simulator developer Varsav Studios, turns players into an unexpected choice of a covert operative. Instead of the suave James Bond, they will step into the role of a secret agent dog tasked with saving the world. In a new trailer for the upcoming Gamescom 2024, the f(o)ur-legged good boy is seen traversing environments using parkour-like skills and high-tech gadgets, sneaking past enemies, and taking them down before heading off to the next objection or extraction point.
“Agent T.H.U.N.D.E.R. is a highly trained professional who is well aware of the stakes of each mission that he takes part in. However, he is still a playful dog at heart, who will charm you time and time again. His trusty AI sidekick, A.L.F.-RED, will ensure that his playful nature doesn’t interfere with his mission completion,” reads the official synopsis for Barkour.
“During gameplay, you’ll explore stunning and diverse locations all over the world. From a perilous greenhouse complex to an amusement park filled with head-turning attractions (and dubious safety standards), each mission will test your skills to the fullest!”
While the premise seems interesting and delightful enough, the animation does look a little ruff (hah) and janky. The title is only looking to release sometime in 2025, however, which would mean extra time to iron out the kinks. In the meantime, here are some concept art to check out (via IGN):
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
