New Tales and Red Raketa have announced that Kalanoro will launch on August 27 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. The game is a colorful action adventure inspired by Malagasy folklore, with a demo already available on PC. The release date gives the project a clear place on the calendar while highlighting its mix of platforming, combat, music, and road-trip energy.
The story takes place in Lemuria, a vibrant island world trapped under the rule of the witch Raneny. Dictatorship is apparently not enough for her, so she decides to stage a concert in her own honor featuring the island’s greatest artists. Standing against her is Kalakely, a small and fluffy Kalanoro from Malagasy folklore, who is chosen by a very questionable prophecy to save the day.
Kalakely’s adventure is not built around a lone hero fantasy. Armed with mystical powers and surprisingly effective household items, the protagonist travels across Lemuria to recruit legendary musicians, form a band, and overthrow tyranny one gig at a time. The tone is playful and humorous, but the structure gives real importance to the growing crew. As the band becomes stronger and more popular, the journey turns into a feel-good rebellion powered by creativity, collective energy, and one very determined setlist.
Gameplay will move between platforming, combat, and band-building. Players will cross lively biomes, jump through industrial traps, and explore handcrafted levels designed around movement, hazards, and momentum. In battle, Kalakely can use hair-powered abilities as well as whatever happens to be nearby, including slippers and frying pans. Boss encounters follow the same chaotic and theatrical spirit, leaning into the game’s brighter, stranger, and more musical side rather than a darker fantasy tone.
Between major stops, the group travels aboard a rusty old taxi-brousse that serves as both home base and tour bus. Players will bond with companions through mini-games, manage the band’s happiness, and prepare for the next performance. The soundtrack features Malagasy artists including Denise, Jyeuhair, and Marco Klarck, reinforcing the game’s tribute to Malagasy music and artistic culture. With hand-drawn visuals, dynamic animation powered by Unreal Engine, and a development team based in Madagascar, Kalanoro is aiming to be more than a colorful adventure: it is a playful celebration of folklore, music, and creative resistance.
