Independent developers Whyknot Studio and publisher Red Dunes Games have announced that their 2D puzzle-platformer Princess of the Water Lilies launches on Steam on November 20, 2025, for $14.99.
The game invites players into a hand-illustrated storybook world inspired by the golden age of animation, drawing on influences from The Fox and the Hound, The Secret of NIMH, An American Tail, and more. Backed by a full orchestral soundtrack performed by the Budapest Scoring Orchestra, this dialogue-light adventure aims to evoke that same nostalgic warmth and visual magic of beloved childhood films.
“We set out to capture that same childhood wonder,” said Sultan Darmaki, CEO and Creative Director at Red Dunes Games.
The Purr-suit of Adventure
Players take control of the titular Princess, an adorable gray cat on a mission to rescue her frog family and restore balance to her endangered homeland. The game blends gentle puzzle-solving and platforming with a touch of challenge; one wrong move, and it’s game over.
Princess can purr to unleash magical energy from her collar, transforming the world around her:
- Grow bridges and plants to open new paths
- Swing on vines and traverse water
- Uncover hidden secrets across lush, hand-drawn biomes
“Our world is richly hand-painted and our characters outlined in a traditional style, echoing the timeless artistry of those films,” said Shan Fei, CEO of Whyknot Studio.
Nostalgia Meets Modern Design
While Princess of the Water Lilies celebrates traditional animation aesthetics, it also introduces modern puzzle-platforming elements, from environmental interaction to intuitive progression design.
The game’s art and mechanics are carefully crafted to offer a “mesmerizing experience” that appeals to cozy gamers, anime fans, and retro platforming enthusiasts alike.
Princess of the Water Lilies launches November 20, 2025, on Steam.
