Aniimo Release Date Confirmed: Free-to-Play Creature-Catching RPG Arrives in September 2026
Pawprint Studio, backed by FunPlus, has officially announced the release date for Aniimo, its upcoming free-to-play open-world creature-catching RPG. The game is set to launch on September 16, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. Mobile players will not have to wait long, as Aniimo will arrive on iOS and Android through the App Store and Google Play on September 23, 2026.
The release date was revealed alongside a new trailer shown during Gamescom Opening Night Live, giving players a fresh look at the game’s colorful world, creature designs, exploration systems, and multiplayer features.
Aniimo takes place on the continent of Idyll, a vibrant open world filled with diverse regions, hidden secrets, and unique ecosystems. Players step into the role of Pathfinders, adventurers who explore different biomes while discovering and bonding with mysterious creatures known as Aniimo.
At launch, the game will feature more than 200 creatures to collect, train, evolve, and battle. These creatures are not limited to one fixed form, either. Their appearances and variations can change depending on environmental conditions such as the weather, location, and biome. This gives exploration a stronger sense of discovery, encouraging players to revisit areas and search for rare forms under different conditions.
Some of the confirmed regions include Driftwise Meadow, the fiery Sandcastle Hill, and Rosetower Wood. Each area is designed with its own atmosphere, wildlife behavior, and creature ecology, making the world of Idyll feel more alive and worth exploring.
One of Aniimo’s biggest gameplay features is the Twining mechanic. Instead of only capturing and commanding creatures, players can merge with their Aniimo to gain new abilities. This system plays a major role in exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat.
By twining with different Aniimo, players can unlock movement abilities such as flying through the air, sprinting across terrain, or burrowing underground. These powers can help players reach hidden areas, solve environmental puzzles from a creature’s perspective, and approach battles in new ways.
The Twining system is designed to make creatures feel like more than collectibles. Each Aniimo can become a tool for exploration, a partner in combat, and a key to uncovering secrets across the open world.
Aniimo will also include both competitive and cooperative multiplayer features. One of the main PvP modes is Diamond Egg Heist, where teams face off against each other in a competitive challenge. For players who prefer teamwork, co-op tools such as the Horn and Flute allow them to call for assistance or invite friends into their world.
Beyond battles and exploration, Aniimo includes a Homeland system where players can build and customize their own base. This feature allows Pathfinders to decorate their space, farm resources with the help of Aniimo, and create fairground-style attractions. Facilities can be accessed from an RV campsite, giving players a personal hub to return to between adventures.
Console players on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S can now pre-order special bundles ahead of launch. Two versions are available: the Advanced Edition and the Collector’s Edition. These editions include extras such as a battle pass and platform-exclusive cosmetic items.
With its free-to-play model, large creature roster, open-world exploration, multiplayer modes, and transformation-based Twining mechanic, Aniimo is shaping up to be a major release for fans of creature-collecting RPGs. Players looking for a new adventure filled with exploration, customization, and cooperative play will be able to jump in on September 16, 2026, on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, followed by the mobile launch on September 23, 2026.
