Rubato is a new pixel art title from developer dconn. The game is due to be released on Steam on March 20th, 2026, although there is currently a demo available to download. Publisher Headcannon, known for its great work on Sonic Mania and Sonic Origins, will be handling the console ports that will be announced at a later date. The developer has described Rubato as ”an experimental 2D physics-based collect-a-thon platformer”.

The story in Rubato is also as intriguing as its description. After a man screws up a game of pool, it saves the solar system from being destroyed. A huge mega-corporation had seized control of the universe by unleashing world-ending bioweapons. People start to disappear from the world, and there are celestial forces at play. It doesn’t make a lot of sense, and maybe we need to play the demo to get a better understanding. That said, the trailer does show this is a unique title for sure.

Key features:

Use your tongue to lick enemies and objects as you make your way through open metroidvania-like areas, whilst collecting “Planet Bits” to help fix the solar system!

5 compact, densely packed areas ranging from a huge sprawling bakery to the world’s most poorly planned city. Uncover secrets and shortcuts in every corner of the world.

A strange, funny plot with a deep focus on humour and character writing. It gets silly. It gets serious. Really concerningly serious. Uh. Is the guy who made this game okay..?

To save the world, you must save yourself first. Find yourself again.