Independent development studio Polycast Labs has officially announced its upcoming dark 3D platformer, Bobo and the Chest of Nightmares. The title, inspired by classic early 2000s collectathons, is now available for players to add to their Wishlist on the Microsoft Store for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One ahead of its scheduled release on October 30, 2026.
Designed as a nostalgic throw-back to the golden era of character-driven 3D platformers, Bobo and the Chest of Nightmares draws stylistic and gameplay inspiration from titles like Spyro the Dragon, Banjo-Kazooie, and Voodoo Vince, combined with a gothic visual aesthetic reminiscent of Tim Burton films.
The game follows Bobo, a well-meaning but clumsy circus jester who accidentally breaks open the legendary “Chest of Nightmares” during a performance. The mishap releases the DreamMaster—an ancient entity that freezes the kingdom in eternal twilight and transforms dreams into nightmares. Guided by a mysterious floating companion, players must navigate twisted, vertical realms to recover lost “EchoMares” and save the kingdom.
Remarkably, the game was built entirely by a single developer, Polycast Labs founder David Ho, over the span of just one year.
“Seeing Bobo’s official store page live on Xbox is an incredibly rewarding milestone for me as a solo developer,” said Ho in a statement. “For an indie studio, every single addition to a Wishlist makes a monumental difference. It is the absolute best way for players to show their support, ensuring the Xbox ecosystem gives the game visibility on launch day.”
Bobo and the Chest of Nightmares focuses heavily on acrobatic movement, environmental exploration, and puzzle-solving. Key gameplay elements include:
Fluid Acrobatics: Players can chain together double-jumps, wall-slides, and umbrella glides right from the start of the game to navigate treacherous environments.
Non-Linear Exploration: Utilising a central hub known as the Twilight Circus, players can tackle gothic realms in any order they choose, searching for collectibles such as Twilight Shards, Nightmare Wisps, and hidden Voodoo Dolls.
Environmental Puzzles: Players must manipulate mechanisms and solve macabre puzzles to uncover secret paths throughout the worlds.
Theatrical Boss Battles: Worlds conclude with confrontations against larger-than-life bosses. Players can collect floating “DreamMasks” to protect their health and trigger an invulnerable “Dreamburst” mode during combat.