Free-to-Play Creature-Collector Aniimo Comes with Unique ‘Twining’ Mechanic

A brand-new contender has entered the creature-collecting arena – Aniimo.

Revealed during the Xbox Games Showcase, Aniimo is a new free-to-play, open-world action RPG from developer Pawprint Studio. The game is being brought to the world by Kingsglory, a new publishing label established by FunPlus.

Set to launch in 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and mobile, Aniimo promises a journey of discovery where players will explore uncharted landscapes, solve ancient mysteries, and master a dynamic new gameplay mechanic known as “Twining.”

For those eager to jump in early, sign-ups for an exclusive closed beta test on PC, starting later this summer, are now open.

A New Contender in the Creature-Collecting Arena

Aniimo invites players into the expansive open world of Idyll, a land inhabited by beautifully rendered magical creatures also known as Aniimo. Your mission is to become a master of these creatures, a journey that will see you seeking them out, capturing them, and battling alongside them.

The game features a deep progression system where you can upgrade, develop, research, and evolve your collection of Aniimo, providing multiple options for them to grow and shine as you explore the vast world.

Become One with Your Aniimo: The ‘Twining’ Mechanic

What truly sets Aniimo apart is its unique core mechanic: “Twining.” This groundbreaking feature allows players to merge directly with their captured Aniimo. This fusion is not just a cosmetic change; it’s a fundamental part of the gameplay.

By Twining with different creatures, players will unlock a host of new abilities, gain different perspectives on the world, and discover entirely new and unique ways to play, explore, and fight.

It’s a fresh take on the genre that promises deep strategic possibilities.

A Word from the Creators

The teams at Pawprint Studio and Kingsglory are passionate about creating the ultimate creature-collecting experience.

“Like every other player, the Aniimo team has always believed that one day, there will be a game that exists that makes all our dreams come true. Instead of waiting any longer, we created it ourselves,” said Jovi Zhang, Executive Producer at Pawprint Studio. “Every day we are discovering more about the Aniimo’s personalities, their interactions, their stories and their environment. The world of Aniimo is now ready for you to explore with us, and we can’t wait to see you there!“

“We are excited to take this concrete step in growing our commitment to IP-driven cross-platform experiences for players in the form of Aniimo” said Chris Petrovic, Chief Business Officer and Chairman of the Board at FunPlus. “Aniimo will shake up the creature-collecting genre and introduce players to an expansive and beautiful open world that the dev team is looking forward to growing with them, based on feedback from the first closed beta test.”

With its beautiful open world, deep creature-collecting systems, and the innovative Twining mechanic, Aniimo is poised to make a huge splash when it arrives in 2026. You can sign up for the upcoming closed beta test now at the game’s official website.