Developer VARSAV Game Studios has announced that Barkour, stealth-action platformer starring a secret-agent dog, will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store in Q4 2026. The announcement came with a new story trailer, and the studio confirmed that a major new version of the game’s PC demo will go live during Gamescom 2026 next week.
In this globe-trotting action game, players take on the role of Agent T.H.U.N.D.E.R., a dog working for an elite intelligence agency run entirely by animals. The goal is to track down a lineup of villains across the globe and save the world from catastrophe. The gameplay consists of three main styles that players can mix and match at any time: fast-paced parkour across walls, rooftops, and rails; silent stealth for sneaking past guards; or direct combat. A versatile spy kit, complete with a grappling hook, stun mines, a active cloak, and a freeze gun, expands those choices even further. Each stage uses a semi-open layout packed with branching paths, hidden rooms, and secrets. Players can also backtrack to earlier stages after unlocking new gadgets to break into areas that were previously out of reach.
A big part of the game’s charm is that beneath all the tactical gear, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. is still just a dog. While a special device translates his thoughts into human speech, his true personality shines through his body language and his tendency to get distracted by good sniff or quick scratch mid-mission. He receives field support from an AI companion named A.L.F.-RED. The rest of the cast is just as quirky, featuring characters like Agent B.R.E.E.Z.E., a sleep-deprived scientist dog who builds the spy gadgets, and Chris, a gloomy hacker working for the bad guys. Developer VARSAV describes the overall vibe as a spy comedy packed with expressive animation, though it still leaves room for a few emotional moments.
Barkour is the biggest project yet from VARSAV Game Studios. The developer is already known for other animal-focused games like Bee Simulator and Everdream Valley, and Barkour is set to launch in 2026 to celebrate the studio’s tenth anniversary. A free demo is currently available, but an expanded and highly polished version is heading to Gamescom with upgraded visuals and gameplay.
Barkour is available to wishlist now on Steam.