If you’ve been longing for the golden age of 3D collectathon platformers, we have fantastic news for you. Solo indie studio Polycast Labs has officially announced that a free playable demo for their upcoming title, Bobo and the Chest of Nightmares, is now available on PC via Steam.

Whether you grew up spending countless hours on Spyro the Dragon, Crash Bandicoot, and MediEvil, or you just love a whimsical, gothic-tinged adventure, this single-developer passion project is shaping up to be a must-play.

What is Bobo and the Chest of Nightmares?

Bobo and the Chest of Nightmares is a character-driven 3D platformer that fuses fluid acrobatics, nostalgic collectathon progression, and light combat inside a twisted carnival of dreams.

You take on the role of Bobo, a clumsy but lovable handmade jester designed to bring joy and laughter. During a circus performance, Bobo accidentally opens the legendary Nightmare Chest, releasing the Dreammaster—an ancient entity that transforms the kingdom’s peaceful dreams into living nightmares.

Guided by the enigmatic, floating DreamMask, Bobo must journey across corrupted realms, conquer theatrical bosses, and recover EchoMares to bring light and laughter back to a world trapped in eternal twilight.

What to Expect in the Gameplay

Polycast Labs isn’t holding back on the nostalgic platforming action. Right out of the gate, players get access to a versatile, acrobatic moveset:

• Fluid Platforming: Double-jump, wall-slide, rail-grind, dash, dive, and glide across semi-open, vertical levels using Bobo’s jester hat.
• Dynamic Health System: A floating DreamMask serves as your shield and health indicator. Stacking multiple masks unleashes Dreamburst, a power-up state granting temporary invulnerability.
• Collectables That Matter: Hunt down Twilight Sweets, Nightmare Wisps, rare Voodoo Dolls, and essential EchoMares to unlock new areas in the central Twilight Circus Grounds hub.
• Level-Specific Mechanics: Expect fresh gameplay twists in every stage, ranging from pumpkin bounce pads and wind currents to rotating rooms and low-gravity zones.

Try the Free Demo Today!

The new free PC demo gives players a first-hand look at the tight movement controls, low-poly gothic aesthetic, and whimsical atmosphere that make this solo-dev project stand out.

Head over to the Bobo and the Chest of Nightmares Steam Page to download the demo, test out your platforming skills, and don’t forget to add the game to your Wishlist to support the developer ahead of its full launch!

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