TECHMASH

Tag: #HitStartStudios

  • Synchronise Your Jumps: ‘Brave Escape’ Brings Chaos and Co-op to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S This July!

    Synchronise Your Jumps: ‘Brave Escape’ Brings Chaos and Co-op to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S This July!

    Great news for co-op gaming fans! Independent developer Hit Start Studios has officially announced that its critically acclaimed, two-player co-op platformer Brave Escape is making the leap to next-gen consoles.

    Mark your calendars: the game is set to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on July 24th, 2026.

    If you’ve been looking for the perfect game to test the strength of your friendships (or find out just how bad your coordination really is), this is the one.

    What is Brave Escape?

    Originally released on PC to a “Very Positive” reception on Steam, Brave Escape is a 2D pixel-art precision platformer built entirely around two-player teamwork. You and a partner control Colin and Floyd—an unlikely duo trying to outrun relentless hazards, navigate tricky traps, and conquer handcrafted, puzzle-filled levels.

    To make things interesting, both characters bring entirely different tools to the table:

    • Colin utilises a climbing rope and grapple hook to navigate steep vertical terrain.
    • Floyd features a boost mechanism and handles unique level-specific gadgets like the Wind Gun, Freeze Gun, and Flashlight.

    Success demands communication, split-second timing, and perfect synchronisation. Whether you are perfectly executing a complex jump or screaming in panic as a mistimed boost sends your friend flying into a pit of spikes, it’s couch co-op gaming at its absolute finest.

    What’s New for the Console Release?

    Hit Start Studios isn’t just porting the game over; they are delivering the ultimate version of the adventure right out of the gate.

    Here is what console players can look forward to on day one:

    • Cross-Platform Play: Fully supports cross-platform co-op multiplayer between PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. No matter where your friends play, you can team up.
    • Packed with Content: Includes all major post-launch updates from the PC version, offering 45 additional levels and 70 bonus levels spread across 7 diverse, hazard-filled worlds.
    • Playable Your Way: Choose Standard/Casual Mode for a more approachable experience with more forgiving timings and fewer spikes, or tackle Brave Mode to push your platforming skills to their absolute limits.
    • Optimised Performance & Accessibility: Enjoy ultra-smooth gameplay with high-frame-rate options ($60\text{ fps}+$), alongside great accessibility features like character outlines and overlap transparency.

    “Cross-platform support was especially important for us because Brave Escape is all about playing together, regardless of platform.”

    — Steve Ciaramitaro, Game Designer at Hit Start Studios

    Get Ready to Escape!

    Whether you prefer playing local couch co-op or diving online, Brave Escape promises to be one of the summer’s most fun and chaotic cooperative experiences.

    You can already find the game on Steam, and it’s officially open for wishlisting on the PlayStation Store and Xbox Store ahead of its July 24th launch. Gather a partner, stretch those thumbs, and prepare for a wild ride!

    Are you ready to test your friendship in Brave Escape? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #BraveEscape #HitStartStudios #CoopGaming #IndieGames #PS5 #XboxSeriesX #GamingNews #Platformer #Techmash

  • Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Brave Escape Gets Massive Free Content Update

    Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Brave Escape Gets Massive Free Content Update

    If you and your co-op partner have been looking for a reason to jump back into the frantic, hazard-filled world of Brave Escape, Hit Start Studios just gave you 45 of them.

    The Detroit-based indie developer has officially released a major free update for its critically acclaimed two-player platformer on Steam. Whether you’re a veteran duo who has already conquered the base game or a newcomer looking for a fresh challenge, this update significantly expands the scope of Colin and Floyd’s adventure.

    What’s New in the Update?

    This isn’t just a simple patch; it’s a substantial expansion of the game’s content and a visual “glow-up” for many of its environments. Here are the highlights:

    1. 45 Brand-New Levels

    The meat of the update lies in the level count. Hit Start Studios has added 45 new levels, bringing the total number of bonus levels to 70 across all 7 worlds. Five of the existing worlds—including Serpent’s Hollow and Glacial Falls—have been restructured to accommodate new challenges and smoother progression.

    2. “Battle for the Habitats” Global Event

    Brave Escape is joining over 100 games in the Battle for the Habitats event, running from Earth Day (April 22) to World Environment Day (June 5).

    • The Goal: Helping raise $1 million for the Rainforest Alliance and Oceana.
    • The Loot: Players can unlock two exclusive free skins: Cookie the Cockatoo and Dougie the Dugong.

    3. Visual and Performance Overhaul

    The game has received a significant facelift. You’ll notice a brand-new title screen, improved lighting (especially in the cave regions), and enhanced environmental effects like interactable plants and better particle systems. For those on high-end rigs, the update also introduces configurable FPS settings (60, 120, 240, or uncapped).

    4. Better Accessibility & Co-op Clarity

    Co-op can get chaotic, so the devs have introduced new accessibility features to keep things clear:

    • Character Outlines: You can now enable outlines for Colin and Floyd so you never lose track of your character during overlaps.
    • Transparency Options: Colin can be set to turn transparent when overlapping Floyd to ensure visibility.
    • Standard vs. Brave Mode: The update continues to support both “Brave Mode” for veterans and “Standard Mode” for a more forgiving, family-friendly experience.

    Why You Should Play Brave Escape

    For the uninitiated, Brave Escape is a precision platformer that demands synchronisation. One player controls Colin (equipped with a climbing rope) and the other controls Floyd (a robot with a boost mechanism).

    Success depends on mastering unique gadgets that change per region, such as:

    • The Grapple Hook in Serpent’s Hollow.
    • The Freeze Gun in the Moai Chambers.
    • The Wind Gun in Glacial Falls.

    “This update is focused on expanding the game in meaningful ways,” says Steve Ciaramitaro, Game Designer at Hit Start Studios. “We’ve improved clarity for players during co-op and revisited many parts of the game visually and structurally.”

    Coming Soon to Consoles

    While the update is live now on Steam (PC, Mac, and Linux), console players won’t have to wait much longer. Hit Start Studios has confirmed that Brave Escape is slated for release on Xbox and PlayStation later this year, featuring the same Friend’s Pass system that allows one owner to invite a friend to play for free.

    Brave Escape is available now on Steam. If you haven’t checked it out yet, there’s never been a better time to grab a friend and start your escape!

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/1354260

    #HitStartStudios #update #coop #platformer #BraveEscape #steam #pcgames #videogames #gamers #gaming

  • Brave Escape can you handle the pressure, or will you fold?

    Brave Escape can you handle the pressure, or will you fold?

    We just took on the Brave Escape challenge, and let’s just say… our heart rates are still recovering! From the immersive storytelling to those “aha!” moments that make you feel like a genius, this was the ultimate test of teamwork.

    Nothing builds trust quite like trying to decode a “bomb” or find a hidden key with the clock ticking down. Highly recommend this for any team looking to sharpen their collaboration while having a blast.

    If you’re looking for a sign to grab your smartest (or most chaotic) friends and lock yourselves in a room for an hour—this is it.

    Tag your escape room squad in the comments!

    Find out more here – https://hitstartstudios.com/games/brave-escape/

    #BraveEscape #EscapeRoom #HitStartStudios #Xbox #PlayStation #AdrenalineJunkie #games #gaming #gamers #videogames