Puddle announced today that THRASHER, their award-winning arcade game from Brian Gibson (THUMPER) and Mike Mandel (Rock Band VR) is coming to Steam as a flatscreen game. I’ve seen this term paraded around lately as a game that was originally released for VR and is now coming to more standard platforms. Originally released for the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest, THRASHER is leaping to release on Steam both as a 2D playable game as well as a Steam VR release. Announced at Day of the Devs 2025, the announcement comes with the hope that the game will be released on Steam in 2025. Pitched as a mind-melting arcade action odyssey, THRASHER has you guiding a “magnificent space eel” through mesmerizing alien worlds in the ultimate race for survival. Check out the flatscreen trailer after the jump.
Adapted from the VR release, the flatscreen version of the game is likely an appeal to a broader audience. Maintaining the gorgeous art style and riveting gameplay while providing access to more mainstream platforms. Along with the flatscreen version comes some gameplay changes, including a new dash ability. The press release also includes emphasis on the Steam Deck being a viable platform which is heartening as someone who almost exclusively PC games on his Steam Deck. This release promises a visual upgrade, new dash ability, and all the excitement of the VR experience packed into a 2D version.
- TRANSCEND SPACETIME – Immerse yourself in a dazzling odyssey where music, visuals, and gameplay mesh into one transcendent experience. Journey from the depths of primordial gloom to the heights of celestial bliss, culminating in a heart-pounding reckoning with a cosmic baby god.
- YOU VERSUS THE UNIVERSE – Swoop, dash and thrash at breakneck speed, busting through obstacles and stacking up combos, leading to nine jaw-dropping encounters with mysterious leviathans that will challenge your skills, and your sanity.
- POWER UP – Deploy power-ups to supercharge your space eel and max out your combos. Create a destructive rainbow spray of bullets, bulldoze everything in a blaze of color and light, or slow things down to create a perfect path through the chaos.
- SOUND AND FURY – Lose yourself in the enthralling soundtrack created by designer Brian Gibson, bassist for the band Lightning Bolt. THRASHER is a spatial audio showcase, creates a stunning sensory experience.
- CHILL OR CHALLENGE – Vibe out and enjoy the wild journey, or push yourself to the limit by chaining together massive combos to worm your way up the rankings.
Brian Gibson was the composer and artist for THUMPER, a “rhythm violence” game released in 2016. Though originally released on traditional platforms, THUMPER found its way to VR on the PSVR, Oculus Quest, and Steam VR. While the reverse is happening here, it’s positive to see games transcend their initial scope to find their way to a broader audience. While VR is a very cool concept and has some very interesting and novel games released on it, it’s not a universal experience. Between the cost of entry and the experience potentially causing motion sickness, VR has struggled to gain a strong mainstream audience. While niche, some of the gameplay experiences are absolutely top notch and it’s very cool to see developers taking on the challenge of bringing their VR experiences to mainstream platforms.
While THRASHER has no official release date beyond 2025, THRASHER’s Steam page has gone live and is available for wishlist.
