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Press release:
PQube (London, UK) – 6th April, 2023.
The London-based (the UK) video games publisher PQube and Barcelona -based (Spain) indie games developer Petoons Studio, are today very thrilled and glad to announce that their hand-drawn ratoidvania “Curse of the Sea Rats”, is now digitally and physically available for PC (via Steam) and consoles (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch).

Embark on the epic journey of four prisoners of the British empire, transformed into rats by the notorious pirate witch, Flora Burn. To regain their human bodies, they will have to fight many dangerous bosses, uncover the secrets of the vast Irish coast, and ultimately capture the witch who cursed them.

Classic metroidvania platforming & combat – Explore and fight your way through a wide variety of stunning locations along the 18th century Irish coast
Choose one of four unique heroes with their own playstyles and skill trees – Develop your skills as David Douglas, Buffalo Calf, Bussa, and Akane Yamakawa
Stunning hand-drawn art and animations – 2D animation inspired by classic animated films combines seamlessly with detailed 3D environments
Local co-op for up to 4 players – Drop-in/out with a flexible 2-4 player local co-op mode
Challenging boss battles – Take on Flora Burn’s elite crew! Learn attack patterns and anticipate their moves to emerge victorious
Get Spiritual – Gather Spiritual Energy to use on the extensive skill trees to upgrade your characters!
X Marks the Spot – Search for hidden treasure, help characters find specific items and purchase consumables from the quartermaster to give you the edge in battle
‘Curse of the Sea Rats’ Is Releasing Today on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One!

THE HMS BARFLEUR INCIDENT

Curse of the Sea Rats begins with the British ship, HMS Barfleur, returning to England from the Caribbean with a hold full of prisoners. Among these prisoners are our protagonists, four individuals, who, in the eyes of the British Empire, are lawbreakers and must stand trial for their crimes.

Imprisoned alongside them is the notorious pirate captain Flora Burn and her crew. In a daring escape, Flora uses a mysterious artefact, the Eye of the Serpent, to transform everyone onboard into rats! During the ensuing chaos, Flora kidnaps Admiral Benjamin Blacksmith’s son as insurance. Unable to leave his shipwrecked crew, the Admiral asks that you return his son in exchange for a full pardon.

THE MYSTERIOUS EYE OF THE SERPENT

The Eye of the Serpent is an ancient and powerful item comprised of an amulet and a ring. To recover their human form, the heroes must reunite these pieces in order to invoke the artefact’s magic again and reverse the curse. The artefact embodies the concept of yin and yang, of good and evil and was created by the mysterious Shen.

When both pieces are joined together, they allow the user to fulfil any wish. But when separated, good and evil are no longer balanced. The amulet is the good half where Wu Yun, Emissary of the Shen (and the heroes’ guide!) resides. The ring is the evil half, possessed by a serpentine spirit that Flora Burn uses to increase her magical powers…

EXPLORE THE 18TH CENTURY IRISH COAST

Curse of the Sea Rats features over sixteen unique and vividly realised environments for players to explore. From the cold rocky shores of Shipwreck Beach to the glowing autumn leaves of Banba’s Forest, there are ancient and mystical forces at work along the Irish Coast.

Each new area the player discovers feels and plays differently from the last with unique enemies to fight and environmental challenges to overcome such as the blistering gales of the aptly named Cliff of the Winds.

CURIOUS CHARACTERS ABOUND

The Irish Coast is inhabited by a huge cast of strange and quirky characters! You’ll frequently encounter members of Blacksmith’s scattered crew, escaped pirates, and local denizens, both natural and supernatural… Interacting with them will give new insights into the world and open up various side quests to complete in exchange for rewards.

Seek out Marcos and his pet monkey, Amelio, and start digging for buried treasure or help Rick escape the life of a soldier and transform him into the world’s most fearsome pirate! There are dozens of characters to meet, and all are brought to life with full voice-acting throughout!

PHYSICAL EDITION AVAILABLE NOW!

Physical editions of ‘Curse of the Sea Rats’ are available now! Visit the link below to secure your copy on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 4.

For more information and the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Twitch, Instagram and our official website: http://pqube.co.uk/

About PQube
PQube is a leading international creator, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment. The company’s teams worldwide are committed to publishing games they love by working closely with development partners and reaching consumers globally on all major gaming platforms. PQube manages a rich portfolio of brands including Cat Quest, New Super Lucky’s Tale, BlazBlue, Gal*Gun, White Day, Kill La Kill, Nexomon: Extinction, Guilty Gear, Kitaria Fables, and many more. Visit: pqube.co.uk to find out more.