This graffiti-filled, anime-inspired 3D platformer oozes personality with its mix of Japanese pop culture inspirations

The anime-inspired visual aesthetics and punk graffiti vibes of RKGK hooked me from the moment it was announced. I’m admittedly a sucker for  solid art direction, and the upcoming game from Mexico-based developer Wabisabi Games absolutely has that in spades. But actually playing it – and hearing from the developers – is what’s convinced me that there’s actually something special here. RKGK (pronounced rakugaki, which is a Japanese word that is often associated with sketches and more informally graffiti) sees players take on the role of Valah, a graffiti artist and leader of the eponymous group of rebels fighting against the evil, oppressive business B-Corp run by Mr. Buff. You see, B-Corp has been sucking out all the expression and general zest for life from the populace through giant screens – screens that Valah and her crew can vandalize with graffiti in order to stop what they call “Draining.” Rebel and resist But why call the game RKGK? According to Anwar Noriega, Wabisabi Games’ CEO and co-founder, the short version is that the game is effectively a love letter to Japanese pop culture and the way in which the term rakugaki became associated with graffiti in the first place resonated...