Welcome to the Dinovania: Primal Planet Is Out Now

(Auszug aus der Pressemitteilung)

Pretty Soon is proud to announce the launch of Primal Planet, a heartfelt metroidvania created by solo developer Albert van Zyl aka Seethingswarm.

Developed over the course of five years, Primal Planet blends combat, exploration, survival, and crafting with a sci-fi narrative told without a single word of dialogue. Players take on the role of a prehistoric dad struggling to protect his family — from dinosaurs, savage tribes, and… ancient aliens.

The game is now available on Steam and GOG.

About the Game

In Primal Planet, you play as a cave dweller on an alien world. Your mission is simple: protect your family in a world full of dangers. You carry your kid, hug your wife, and look after a baby dino orphan. But your companions aren’t helpless — they fight alongside you and often hold their own, sometimes even saving the day without you.

There are no dialogues. The story is told through sighs, animation, and scenes that speak for themselves.

“The game gives you a whole gallery of charming supporting characters and a twist-filled story that feels straight out of a Pixar movie. It’s kind of magical how much affection you end up feeling for these little sprites” — Jakub Radkowski from the game’s publisher Pretty Soon.

Built on a solid metroidvania structure with exploration, secret areas, and evolving abilities, the game also introduces light crafting, survival mechanics, and local co-op, where a second player can join at any moment as Sino, your nimble dinosaur companion.

Features:

• Atmospheric pixel-art metroidvania
• A story told without words
• Fight dinosaurs and uncover ancient alien secrets
• Craft tools and survive the wild
• Local co-op with drop-in buddy mode

Early Praise from Big Media Outlets: “Rarely enjoyed a game more”

Preview coverage of Primal Planet brought praise so warm and enthusiastic it surprised even its solo creator. Jared Petty of IGN called it “one of the most charming games” he’s played since 1982. In his long, enthusiastic article, he praised its “inexhaustible reservoir of creativity, color, motion, and wonder.” He emphasized “incredible attention to detail and environmental storytelling”.

Shaun Prescott at PC Gamer wrote he “had more fun playing this game than anything else so far in 2025,” highlighting the tropical pixel art and fluid movement.

Meanwhile, Eurogamer’s Christian Donlan celebrated its abundance of secrets, calling it a metroidvania “riddled with loving attention to detail.”

Critics across the board pointed to its expressive, wordless storytelling, cute characters, touching family dynamics, and carefully designed dinosaurs — each behaving in a naturalistic, believable way.

The Dinosaurs of Primal Planet

“I tried to show each creature the way it could have behaved in nature — at least as far as we know from fossils and research.” — Seethingswarm

The dinosaurs in Primal Planet are more than just enemies. They behave like part of a living ecosystem. Some are aggressive, others are peaceful. Some flee. Some hunt each other. Many ignore you entirely — until they don’t.

The sound design includes roars, steps, and calls inspired by what these creatures might have sounded like. It’s not textbook science, but it aims for emotional truth.

“It’s not meant to be 100% accurate — I did take creative freedom. But I wanted them to feel familiar, real, and a little bit magical.”

In the game you will meet more than 8 diverse species, such as Sinosauropteryx, Carnotaurus, Apatosaurus, and obviously — the famous king of the primal jungle — Tyrannosaurus Rex.

“I wanted the world to feel alive. If you just stop and watch, you’ll see things unfold even without your input.” — Seethingswarm

Inspirations behind Primal Planet

Seethingswarm was heavily inspired by Jurassic Park and the sense of awe and wonder he felt when he first saw the film.

“The nostalgia hit hard, reigniting my childhood love for dinosaurs. Growing up in South Africa, I was surrounded by breathtaking nature and wildlife, which left a lasting impression.”

Combining this with my love for metroidvanias, the idea for Primal Planet was born—a game where you could immerse yourself in a world of dinosaurs.

“At the heart of Primal Planet lies a story designed to resonate deeply with players. My goal has always been to create a game that not only entertains but also evokes strong emotions and creates lasting connections with its characters and narrative”

Drawing inspiration from a variety of sources, including Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal and H.G. Wells‘ War of The Worlds, has enriched the storyline.

“You don’t often come across such powerful, cinematic storytelling with no dialogues at all.” – adds Jakub Radkowski.