Dead by Daylight
Dead by Daylight
Game
Game2019
APE OUT
Developer Gabe Cuzzillo, Bennett Foddy, Maxi Boch
Ape Out (stylized in all caps) is a 2019 beat 'em up game developed by Gabe Cuzzillo and published by Devolver Digital. Financed by the Indie Fund, it was produced when Cuzzillo attended game development classes at New York University. The game was released for Microsoft Windows and Nintendo Switch on February 28, 2019, and has garnered a positive reception. From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
269 reactions from 3 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Mastodon) · newest Oct 31, 2026 · last updated Nov 5, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
95
LovedLoved
181 positive · 10 negative
95% range 91–97%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 181 | 10 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 45 | 0 | 30 |
| Mastodon * | 2 | 0 | 1 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Very Positive
2,652 of 2,793 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
95% recommend · 181 yes, 10 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 191 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Very Positive (3,920 of 4,136 positive).
Players praise the game's unique art style and dynamic jazz soundtrack. [1][2][3] Many find the gameplay addictive and satisfying, comparing it to Hotline Miami. [4][2][5] Some criticize the procedurally generated levels and unfair difficulty. [6][7]
Liked
Representative posts
- [7]
Ape Out is a cool idea that isn't done very well. It reels you in with a promising start, great sound design and stylish visuals. However, over the course of the game it gets brutally hard and not in a fun way. RNG in this game is incredibly inconsiderate of what the balance should be. Enemy placement is nonsensical and unfair, seemly truly random and unbothered with what enemies should be or not be together or …
- [1]
Visually very appealing, the level of violence is mellowed out by it's cartoonish art direction, reminding me of cartoons I used to watch as a kid. Ape Out is enjoyable to play if you are in the mood to smash stuff up. The interpretive percussive soundtrack fits perfectly with the overall vibe of an ape escaping his captors, as your tear them to pieces and launch their limbs at other unsuspecting victims. Fun game …
- [2]
Imagine hotline miami but you're an ape and make it jazz. Some of the best sound design in a game ever.
- [5]
This is like Hotline Miami... ...except the game is fun, there are no lore-dumps, the ultra-violence is tasteful, the art style is original, and the music is actually good. Actually, forget I ever said anything about Hotline Miami; just play this game -- NOW.
- [3]
Very unique top down PvE game in both art style and gameplay. Probably the best use of music I've seen in a game, the crazy jazz makes the crazy murder you do fun, or, adds tense and exhiliration to running whilst you avoid the bulletrain (as both playstyles are balaced and entertaining). Plus, you get alot of playtime through different levels, difficulties and modes which feel just different enough despite enabling …
Summarised from 34 of the 255 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 10, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
APE OUT sits at 95% positive across 191 opinionated reactions from 3 sources. Fresh or rotten — where do you land?
Critics, per Wikipedia
Ape Out received "generally favorable" reviews on both platforms, according to review aggregator website Metacritic. On OpenCritic, Ape Out received a "strong" approval rating of 89%. The game was a finalist for the 2016 Independent Games Festival's "Best Student Game" award but lost to Beglitched. The game was nominated for "Best Visual Design" and "Best Audio" at the 2019 Golden Joystick Awards, and for the Off Broadway Award for Best Indie Game at the New York Game Awards, and won the award for "Audio Achievement" at the 16th British Academy Games Awards, whereas its other nomination was for "Debut Game".
From the “Reception” section of Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Critic context only — not part of the audience score.
Reactions
60 of 269 · most liked firstMy first impressions of Ape Out are: it's really cool! The game is a top-down action game where you play as a gorilla, fighting your way through enemies to reach the end of the level! As a gorilla, you are only able to push and throw objects, which makes strategizing necessary! It's a ton of fun!
positive · AI labelView post →In terms of the vibe of Ape Out, it's awesome! The game goes for a minimalistic style, both in the art style and soundtrack! The art style has a cool look to it, and it has a unique color palette as well! The soundtrack is high energy and mainly consists of percussion instruments! It's a rad vibe!
positive · AI labelView post →Ape Out makes taking out enemies a ton of fun! Every time you take out an enemy, an instrument hit plays, which makes dispatching enemies super satisfying! Every chapter has its own unique instrument hit as well, my favorite is the cymbal, it sounds impactful! It's a cool detail in the game!
positive · AI labelView post →Utilizing stealth in Ape Out is a ton of fun! During the later levels, the environments are more open, meaning enemies can spot you easier and have a better shot on you! This makes engagements more dangerous, and avoiding combat is sometimes the best approach! It's a thrilling way to play the game!
positive · AI labelView post →I played Ape Out! The game took around 3 hours to beat. This game was totally awesome! The game was an absolute blast to play, it was intense and thrilling the whole way through! The minimalistic art style was cool as well, and the dynamic soundtrack was unique! It was a fun and exciting experience!
positive · AI labelView post →Ape Out (Switch) digital release is 87% off on US eShop: bit.ly/4kBedB7 $1.99 lowest price ever this game rules!
neutral · AI labelView post →beat the last level to get hit with fifteen minutes of the craziest screaming jazz I have ever, out of my seat over here
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Visually very appealing, the level of violence is mellowed out by it's cartoonish art direction, reminding me of cartoons I used to watch as a kid. Ape Out is enjoyable to play if you are in the mood to smash stuff up. The interpretive percussive soundtrack fits perfectly with the overall vibe of an ape escaping his captors, as your tear them to pieces and launch their limbs at other unsuspecting victims. Fun game and worth your time.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The next game I'll be playing is Ape Out! ngl I don't know a lot about this game 😅 I've heard that it's similar to Hotline Miami, but I haven't played that game either, so I can't use it as a reference 🤣 the cover looks cool tho, and it's fun to jump into games blind, so I'm excited to play it!
neutral · AI labelView post →Join the HG101 gang as they discuss and rank Cyberswine, an interactive experience starring a literal cyborg pig cop. Then stick around for Ape Out, a dynamically percussive action game about an ape who... escapes! www.hardcoregaming101.net/podcasts/top...
neutral · AI labelView post →Short but quite difficult. Very artistic game and a neat concept.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Too addictive gameplay that requires you lock in HARD mixed with funky visuals and drums, so much drums in fact. All i can say is fun, absolutely fun, this is a must play. 10/10
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Your honor, it was Funky Monkey Friday. My client had no choice but to go ape.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Instead of 80s nostalgia, UFO 50 transports me back to the heady days of 2016-2018, playing a bunch of five minute demos at indie events and student showcases, forgetting most of them but watching some become Ape Out or Untitled Goose Game.
neutral · AI labelView post →Why the hell would a game like this have generated levels? Trying to practice and perfect a run is the whole point of these types of games, you ruin it by having it so each level is generated and all the previous knowledge of the other levels useless!
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Ape Out is a very good video game
positive · AI labelView post →Many years ago I watched a video essay by Jacob Geller titled "Ape Out and Freedom". I was already aware of the game, but after trying it out on Game Pass, I came to the conclusion that I may never beat the game. It is as brutal as it is chaotic, and my constant deaths at the start told me that I was not skilled enough to ride that ride. I loved it's style, and it's music, but I assumed my love for the game would remain surface level until the end of time. But then I saw that video essay and in…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Considering a kicking game, enemies dying when they collide at velocity. Kind of like Ape Out, but more environmental interaction. Kick enemies into traps, rocks into enemies, enemies into enemies, ranged attacks back into enemies, pits, etc. Gonna see where this goes #gamedev #indiedev #godot
neutral · AI labelView post →Imagine hotline miami but you're an ape and make it jazz. Some of the best sound design in a game ever.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Ape Out is a cool idea that isn't done very well. It reels you in with a promising start, great sound design and stylish visuals. However, over the course of the game it gets brutally hard and not in a fun way. RNG in this game is incredibly inconsiderate of what the balance should be. Enemy placement is nonsensical and unfair, seemly truly random and unbothered with what enemies should be or not be together or straight up have hoards that rain gunfire upon you. Environments are either too open…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Hey so it's only for 40 more minutes but Ape Out, imo a Top 10 indie game oat is currently two fucking dollars on the Nintendo eShop. Do yourself a favor.
positive · AI labelView post →🎮 2025 Game #14: Ape Out Definitely a hard one, but I loved every second of it. Fast-paced and brutal gameplay similar to Hotline Miami, great music, really cool visuals with excellent use of color, and some great level design too. An easy recommendation. 8/10 #IndieGames @devolverdigital.com
positive · AI labelView post →this is just like the hit game APE OUT
neutral · AI labelView post →Cath playing Ape Out: “This game speaks to me” Now she’s making gorilla noises as she murders
positive · AI labelView post →this game made me ape out smashed my controller
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is sad because I think Ape Out absolutely fucks and is one of my favourite games of all time, but it might also mean I am the Number One Ape Out Fan in the world
positive · AI labelView post →Play as an ape that violently dismembers enemies to procedurally-generated jazz? How you could you NOT?!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Ape Out is just plain fun at its core, and that's all it is. (besides one part) The gameplay is really smooth and unique, when compared to a lot of other games like this. Death doesn't really feel too bad, in my opinion. It is just more game for me to play. I like how everything is presented, like I'm watching a short movie or something. And how all the sounds work together makes the whole game feel crunchy. I would go more in depth, but I just had fun. My biggest complaint is hard mode. I…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →#justbeatit Ape Out Jr. (PC) Another Devolver Bootleg game down. This was a nice take on Ape Out with a 2d platformer style where you have to make it to the exit by throwing enemies and avoid getting shot. A very simple puzzle element to it and a quick 25 levels. @polykillpodcast.bsky.social
neutral · AI labelView post →Ape Out, much like God Hand and Viewtiful Joe before it, proves that using enemies as projectiles is objectively good game design
positive · AI labelView post →Old piece based on the video game Ape Out from @devolverdigital.com
neutral · AI labelView post →Ape Out This used to be a playable trailer for the game! You could download the demo and a perfect run of the trailer is basically this precise video. Fantastic music and escalation of gameplay. Sadly, it's not available to play anymore online (to my knowledge!)
positive · AI labelView post →9) Ape Out Oh man, I love this game. It’s an indie gem that lives up to the hype and doesn’t over stay its welcome. Part beat ‘em up, part stealth, all fun. I paid $2 for it and I feel like I owe Devolver some money. I underpaid.
positive · AI labelView post →38. Ape Out (2019, PC / Switch). Hotline Miami... but you're a giant pissed-off ape, the synth is replaced with kinetic jazz drum solos, and instead of grimy neon we have 60s pop art underscoring our ultraviolence? Oh, *baby,* where've you been all my life?
positive · AI labelView post →There’s only one game that as a designer, I felt envy. Usually, I think “oh this is great how would I make this concept?” But not for Ape Out. So good. So up my alley. Primates and jazz is a match made in heaven. #indiegamedev store.steampowered.com/app/447150/A...
positive · AI labelView post →top down. face up. i dont care. just give me more, i want (to) Ape Out. great soundtrack. great visuals. there are games from the long long time agos(i know 2019 isnt that old but in terms of gaming years it feels like it) that you are glad you came across and this is one of them. i told all my friends i hope you know that. thanks for this beautiful game.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is like Hotline Miami... ...except the game is fun, there are no lore-dumps, the ultra-violence is tasteful, the art style is original, and the music is actually good. Actually, forget I ever said anything about Hotline Miami; just play this game -- NOW.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →9. Sayonara, Wild Hearts (2019, PC / Consoles). This is maybe–even more so than Rez and Ape Out–my favourite "interactive album" game. Hell, months later, I'm still listening to the actual album by the game's composer, Daniel Olsén. That it's also a baller rail shooter? Fuck yeah.
neutral · AI labelView post →Man I gotta play more Ape Out, that game rules
positive · AI labelView post →I met Gabe Cuzzillo, the Ape Out dude, when it was previewing at Gamescom and he was super cool, I'm jazzed that he has a new game coming
neutral · AI labelView post →An older fanart piece of one of my favorite indie video games, “Ape Out”
neutral · AI labelView post →25. Ape Out - jazz meets Saul Bass infused gorilla ultra-violence. Everything about this game is awesome. Possibly my favorite @devolverdigital.com release of all time.
positive · AI labelView post →the ape is out. what more is there to say
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A quite simple game that is made great by pure artistic direction
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Used to play this game all the time on switch, in fact, I have over 30 hours logged on the switch version of this game. Absolutely brilliant, cathartic, simple and yet hard to master gameplay, with a phenomenal soundtrack to boot. (i bought the vinyl when that came out haha) You are doing yourself a disservice by not playing this. Seriously, play it. Sidenote for the devs, if they read this: i noticed that maxi's name was not updated on the album covers, instead displaying their dead name. so,…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →i love the minimalism of this game. the color palette, the dynamic shader thingy or however you wanna call it, the design of EVERYTHING, the music that goes hand in hand with the gameplay. just played for 1 hour and it was already worth every penny:)
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Ape strong. Fun to be ape. It's like hotline miami but you're an ape. $3 on sale? Oh my gosh. Buy it and enjoy.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →run right and press attack, not very fun once the novelty wears off
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game kicks ass and is stylish as hell. The flowstate you enter when you get good at this game feels amazing. Play it!!!!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →You know how much better this game would be if it played like Ape Out?
neutral · AI labelView post →Percussive Maintenance applied to your captors. It would behoove us to practice what this game preaches.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I am really stoned but this might be one of the greatest games of all time.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Very unique top down PvE game in both art style and gameplay. Probably the best use of music I've seen in a game, the crazy jazz makes the crazy murder you do fun, or, adds tense and exhiliration to running whilst you avoid the bulletrain (as both playstyles are balaced and entertaining). Plus, you get alot of playtime through different levels, difficulties and modes which feel just different enough despite enabling the core gameloop. Definitely worth the small amount of money for such a unique…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →In addition to Demonschool and Forestrike I also bought Ape Out and Kathy Rain, admittedly both discounted, and I still have money left over, and Clair Obscur isn't even what we consider to be 'an expensive game'. Games are weird.
neutral · AI labelView post →APE OUT is 80% off on Steam. It's a smash-'em-up game where you get to be an escaping gorilla and turn people into smears to a great jazz soundtrack. Clearly, a lot of thought went into the presentation. A lot of very stylish fun for just a couple of bucks! store.steampowered.com/app/447150/A...
positive · AI labelView post →Ape Out is a very simple game in concept and design, but it is done really well. The controls are fluid. The way the music and sound effects play with one another is fantastic. And it is fun to just smash and throw people around as an ape. It doesn't make me feel like replaying the different modes or difficulties, but at the price it is that doesn't bother me. And for those who like that sort of thing, then the replay factor is there too.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →If you have a Nintendo Switch and about four dollars, I highly recommend Ape Out. It's a fun and stylish little brawler with a remarkably effective jazz soundtrack that doubles as sound effects. Brilliant. https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/ape-out-switch/ #videogames #nintendo #ApeOut
positive · AI labelView post →Easy game to pick up to play. Music is great! Heart pumping action!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →remove the bomb strapped to the person
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Can I recommend Ape Out? It’s maybe 3-5 hrs of your time. It fit in as a great vacation game for me.
positive · AI labelView post →
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