Big Hops, the extraordinarily charming indie platformer that captured hearts upon its release this year, has just received a game-changing update that allows players to hop around with up to seven of their closest amphibious friends. The beloved title, which has earned widespread critical acclaim for its tight mechanics and adorable aesthetic, is expanding its appeal with a full-fledged multiplayer experience that promises to transform how fans experience the game’s whimsical world.
In an era where video game news is often dominated by industry layoffs, controversial AI implementations, and corporate consolidation, Big Hops stands as a refreshing reminder of why people fell in love with gaming in the first place. The game offers pure, unadulterated fun through its innovative tongue-grappling mechanics, exhilarating air-diving sequences, and the sheer joy of being launched from cannons while traversing beautifully crafted environments including towering mountains, sweeping deserts, and treacherous oceans. The title delivers exactly what its playful name promises: big, satisfying hops across a wonderfully designed world.
A Complete Co-op Experience Without Compromises
What sets Big Hops Together apart from many multiplayer additions to single-player games is the developer’s commitment to delivering a complete experience. Director Chris Wade, operating under the Luckshot Games banner, has been emphatic that this isn’t a watered-down version of the core game. According to an official Steam update, “Up to 8 players can play together through the whole game. There are no concessions here, no single-player only content, no half baked version of the game you know and love. It’s all there to play together.” This philosophy aligns with a growing trend in indie development where smaller studios prioritize player satisfaction over artificial limitations designed to upsell additional content.
The multiplayer mode opens up fascinating new gameplay possibilities that weren’t available in single-player. Players can now tongue swing from other players, creating dynamic cooperative strategies and undoubtedly chaotic moments of hilarious failure. This mechanic represents the kind of emergent gameplay that has made cooperative indie titles like Overcooked, It Takes Two, and Moving Out beloved fixtures in gaming communities. The ability to interact physically with other players’ characters adds layers of complexity and comedy that solo play simply cannot replicate.
Platform Limitations and Development Focus
There is one notable caveat to the Big Hops multiplayer rollout that has disappointed some fans. The co-op mode will initially be available exclusively on Steam, leaving PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2 players to continue their adventures solo for the foreseeable future. When asked about this limitation, Wade explained to Kotaku that the decision came down to development resources, stating it’s “easier to focus” on just one platform during the initial launch phase. This approach is common among indie developers who must carefully allocate limited resources, though Wade has not ruled out eventual console multiplayer support.
The indie platformer genre has experienced something of a renaissance in recent years, with titles like Celeste, Hollow Knight, and Ori and the Blind Forest demonstrating that smaller studios can create experiences that rival or exceed their AAA counterparts in terms of quality and emotional impact. Big Hops joins this prestigious lineage while carving out its own unique identity through its amphibian protagonist and physics-based movement mechanics. The game’s success reflects a broader appetite among players for tightly designed experiences that prioritize gameplay innovation over graphical spectacle.
How to Access the Multiplayer Beta
Big Hops Together is scheduled to fully launch on Steam on August 9, but eager players don’t have to wait to experience cooperative chaos. The multiplayer mode is currently available in open beta, accessible to anyone who owns the game on Steam. To join the fun, players simply need to install Big Hops if they haven’t already, then launch the game via the public ‘Together’ branch available in Steam’s beta options. This open beta approach allows the development team to gather valuable feedback and squash bugs before the official release, ensuring a polished experience for all players when the full launch arrives.
The timing of this update positions Big Hops as a perfect summer gaming experience, ideal for couch co-op sessions or online play with friends scattered across the globe. As the indie gaming landscape continues to evolve, Big Hops represents the best of what independent development can offer: creative vision, responsive developers, and a genuine love for the craft that shines through every carefully designed level and adorable animation.
Expert Opinion: The addition of 8-player co-op to Big Hops signals a maturing understanding among indie developers that multiplayer functionality can dramatically extend a game’s lifespan and community engagement. Given the title’s strong critical reception and now enhanced social features, Big Hops is well-positioned to become a staple in the cooperative gaming rotation alongside established favorites, particularly if console multiplayer eventually materializes.
