Bizarrely cute and very deadly roguelike AK-xolotl reveals imminent release date at Future Games Show

AK-xolotl, the game about being an axolotl with an AK-47 assault rifle, just locked in a release date as part of the Future Games Show at Gamescom.

A new trailer confirms that the AK-xolotl release date is set for September 14, which means just a few weeks to wait until you can take on this cute-but-deadly roguelike.

In a trailer that matches the peculiar dichotomy between this adorable amphibian and the dark forest that it must shoot its way free from, you can get a new look at both its bullet-hell combat thanks to a preschool singalong-style cartoon.

If it weren't already clear, AK-xolotl puts an axolotl into a roguelike that immediately harks back to some of the best bullet hells in the genre, like Nuclear Throne and the pun-filled Enter the Gungeon. As well as a wide array of weaponry, the trailer also shows off a suite of boss fights and some of the intense combo of effects that you'll be able to draw on in each run. It also, however, pivots back to that sing-song tone to help care for the baby axolittles that are in your care.

Easily one of the most-anticipated and most adorable roguelikes of the year, AK-xolotl launches on September 14 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, where it's available to add to your wishlist now.

If you’re looking for more excellent games from today's Future Games Show, have a look at our official Steam page.

Ali Jones
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I'm GamesRadar's news editor, working with the team to deliver breaking news from across the industry. I started my journalistic career while getting my degree in English Literature at the University of Warwick, where I also worked as Games Editor on the student newspaper, The Boar. Since then, I've run the news sections at PCGamesN and Kotaku UK, and also regularly contributed to PC Gamer. As you might be able to tell, PC is my platform of choice, so you can regularly find me playing League of Legends or Steam's latest indie hit.