A new King Kong game, “Skull Island: Rise of Kong, has officially been announced and is due for release later this year. The game is a third-person action-adventure in which players will guide Kong on a journey of vengeance against Gaw, a saurian terror and the alpha predator responsible for the death of Kong’s parents.
The gameplay is anticipated to have players explore the treacherous terrains of Skull Island, from the lush jungles to murky swamps and dark caves. As players navigate the mysterious island, they’ll unlock the secrets of its exotic flora and fauna as well as encounter waves of primal beasts and face off against unique bosses. The growth arc in the game is embodied by Kong unlocking new abilities, gradually building up to a crescendo of boss fights.
Developed by Iguanabee, renowned for their work on various licensed games, and published by GameMill Entertainment, the studio behind popular games like Nickelodeon Kart Racers and NERF Legends, Skull Island: Rise of Kong promises to be an action-packed quest. The game is set to hit shelves this fall for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
The announcement of this new Kong game brings back memories of the classic 2005’s Peter Jackson’s King Kong made by Ubisoft, often touted as one of the most iconic Kong games of all time. It seems as though Skull Island: Rise of Kong wants to bank on the nostalgia associated with the franchise while weaving in modern gameplay mechanics to appeal to today’s gaming demographic.
What does raise a few brows is the apparent “budget feel” of the short trailer that debuted alongside the announcement. The skepticism stems from the comparison with Ubisoft’s 2005 epic Kong game, which showcased impressively satisfying combat scenes. Nonetheless, it’s far too early to pass any strong judgment, and one hopes that this upcoming game will not only match but surpass its predecessor’s fame and popularity.
One of the intriguing aspects of the game is the inclusion of “Skullites,” which are believed to imbue power to the island’s flora and fauna. This, combined with the exploration of the island’s history and secrets, promises to add layers of depth to the gameplay.
Two versions of the game are on offer: a standard edition and a digital deluxe edition. The latter, known as the “Colossal Edition,” provides additional features such as eight exclusive film grains, a boss-rush mode, behind-the-scenes elements, and multiple skins for Kong. The base experience of the game sells for $39.99, with the Colossal Edition priced at $49.99.
Skull Island: Rise of Kong represents a collaborative effort by IguanaBee and GameMill Entertainment, a partnership that has previously seen success with games like G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout and Little League World Series Baseball 2022. The gaming community has high expectations for this project, as both companies have a proven track record of delivering captivating licensed video games.
While some skepticism surrounds the announcement, due to initial impressions from the brief trailer and the screenshots leaked by Amazon Spain, we must not forget that the proof is in the pudding.
Until we see the final product, it would be premature to make judgments. After all, Skull Island: Rise of Kong could very well be the game that redefines the legacy of King Kong in the world of gaming.
Multiple projects featuring King Kong are currently in development. Outside of gaming, James Wan will produce a live-action adaptation of King Kong for Disney Plus. On top of this, the sequel to Kong vs. Godzilla is scheduled to come out next year.
