Hey, Uh, That New King Kong Game Is Out Today

Sometimes a new game just doesn’t fill you with confidence from the jump. Whether that’s down to the way they look or how they’re marketed, you just know that some games are going to have a hard time. I’ve been pulling for Skull Island: Rise of Kong ever since it was first revealed, but I also don’t hold out a lot of hope for its release today.

Published by GameMill (enough of a red flag on its own for some) and developed by IguanaBee (creators of the seminal G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout), Skull Island: Rise of Kong was announced with a very unconvincing trailer and then fell off the face of the planet. Maybe because Kong looks more like the Yeti, or perhaps it’s the decidedly mid-00s aesthetic, but Rise of Kong isn’t the kind of game people are going to be bellowing about from the top of skyscrapers.

Here’s a quick synopsis:

Embark on a 3rd person action-adventure quest to avenge the death of your parents at the hands of the ultimate alpha predator: Gaw. Conquer waves of primal beasts and defeat the minions of your arch-nemesis on your way to becoming the rightful King of Skull Island. Traverse the mysterious island and uncover lore and all the secrets the island has to offer as you encounter swamps, waterfalls, jungle, and skullite-filled caves that give the island’s flora and fauna its power.

And here’s a trailer that is indeed a collection of assets from the game with some title cards:

Skull Island: Rise of Kong is available on pretty much every platform going, so they can’t be accused of limiting its audience. And hey, it really doesn’t have to do too much to be ranked near the top of the best King Kong games ever, but there doesn’t seem like much of a chance of it toppling the Peter Jackson movie adaptation any time soon. If it works and lets you beat up giant lizards, though, it may be a surprisingly fun time.

READ NEXT: 20 Best Nintendo 3DS Games of All Time