Demon Tides Gets an Early 2026 Release Date
The wait is finally over for 3D platformer fans eagerly anticipating Fabraz’s next adventure. During the Day of the Devs showcase, the team revealed an awesome new trailer for Demon Tides with a release date. The expressive 3D platformer will officially launch February 19, 2026, for Steam, with a Nintendo Switch release at a later date.
This announcement caps off an incredible year for Fabraz. They have already captured the hearts of players through both the extensive Demon Tides demo and the Bubsy 4D demo. As I explored in my previous impressions piece, Demon Tides represents a bold evolution from its predecessor Demon Turf, transforming the series from a linear platformer into an ambitious open-world adventure that rivals the best the genre has to offer.
A Sequel That Stands on Its Own
Set after the events of Demon Turf, Demon Tides follows the newly crowned Demon Queen Beebz as she embarks on a journey across the vast oceans of Ragnar’s Rock. After receiving a mysterious letter from someone claiming to be her father—the Demon King residing in an unreachable floating castle—Beebz and her crew set sail to uncover the truth. While it’s a direct sequel, Fabraz has designed the game to welcome new players, carefully reintroducing backstory while rewarding returning fans with clever references to the original.
The shift to an open-world structure is where Demon Tides truly distinguishes itself. The game’s tropical archipelago setting invites exploration in a way that feels reminiscent of the freedom found in classic 3D Mario titles mixed with a little Wind Waker. Each island hides secrets, challenges, and collectibles that reward players for mastering Beebz’s incredibly deep and expressive moveset.
Speedrunner’s Paradise
What sets Demon Tides apart from other platformers is its emphasis on player expression through movement. The game features one of the most intricate movesets I’ve encountered in a 3D platformer, allowing countless ways to tackle every situation. Chaining dashes and combining abilities feels less like platforming and more like executing combos in a fighter.
This depth extends to the game’s built-in competitive features. Players can race against ghosts of other players’ speedruns, compete on global leaderboards, and even leave graffiti messages throughout the world. It’s a social dimension that adds significant replayability to an already content-rich experience.
What to Expect From Demon Tides
The demo, available now, offers hours of gameplay. It has received widespread critical acclaim for its tight controls, expressive movement, and ambitious scope, calling it a legitimate contender for the genre crown. Better yet, save data from the demo will carry over to the full game, so players can jump in early with no worries.
The full release promises dozens of locales to explore, a progression system featuring collectible talismans that modify and expand abilities, numerous discoverable outfits to customize Beebz’s appearance, and a narrative that delves into the dark secrets of the kingdom while exploring themes of self-discovery and family.
Final Thoughts
After spending considerable time with the demo, I can confidently say Demon Tides is shaping up to be something special. Fabraz has taken everything that worked in Demon Turf and amplified it to remarkable heights. The open-world structure, combined with the deeply technical movement system, creates an experience that feels both accessible for newcomers and endlessly deep for veterans seeking mastery.
As someone who holds 3D Mario games as the pinnacle of the genre, it’s no small statement when I say Demon Tides has the potential to stand alongside those titans. No doubt, with a release date now locked in for February 19, 2026, the countdown begins for what could be one of the defining platformers of next year.
For those eager to dive in early, the demo is available now on Steam, offering a substantial taste of what’s to come. This is one tide you won’t want to miss.
