Description
Welcome comrades! Meet Russian Subway Dogs, a fast-paced action-arcade game inspired by the real-life stray dogs of the Moscow Metro. We have done extensive, totally legal research in order to fine-tune this chaotic simulation of what it's like to scavenge for food from Russian commuters. Surviving isn't easy when you are dodging volatile vodka, rival dogs, and the rare and dangerous Subway Bear!
History
Jam Game Beginnings
Russian Subway Dogs started as a jam game created in 2012 for the GDC Pirate Kart, inspired by newspaper stories on the stray dogs of the Moscow Metro. The jam game version was well received with coverage on Indiegames.com as well as several let’s plays in both English and Russian, and was even picked as an official selection for Fantastic Fest’s Fantastic Arcade.
Commercial Steam Release
In 2016 we decided to take the Jam Game's core concept and expand it into a full commercial release, adding new gameplay elements, improved graphics and campaign mode to complement the endless "score attack" mode of the original. The commercial version was first released on Steam, August 28th 2018.
Console Releases
A long planned PS Vita port of Russian Subway Dogs was released as one of the final games for the system on July 20th 2021. This release included minor enhancements along with three new playable guest characters. A definitive edition of the game was released on Xbox One, Playstation 4 and as an update to the Steam version on June 28, 2023. This version includes the three new guest characters, as well as enhanced sound design and other improvements.
Vinyl Record Release
The original soundtrack was released on vinyl by Very Ok Vinyl in 2022. It came in "red/gold split" and semi-transparent black variants and included an original remix as a bonus track. A very small number of X-ray variants were also produced, lathe cut into actual X-rays in the style of Soviet era bootleg "bone records".
Features
- A new game from the creators of They Bleed Pixels.
- Inspired by real life stray dogs who’ve learned to navigate Moscow’s subway system!
- Take on Campaign Mode with dozens of levels and over 100 unique challenges from your boss kitty: The Proletaricat.
- Highly replayable Endless Mode with online leaderboards and a score-driven difficulty algorithm that keeps each round fresh!
- Featuring detailed pixel art of Moscow’s world famous, ornately decorated subway stations.
- Play as your favourite animals from other indie games and comics!
- From fire and ice to toxic chocolate and cooking wildlife for food, Russian Subway Dogs is full of simulated systems to discover and exploit!
- Original Soundtrack by Peter Chapman aka COINS (Guacamelee!, LittleBigPlanet Karting, Modnation Racers)
- Supported Languages: English, French, Spanish, Portugues, German, Russian, Japanese.
Videos
Russian Subway Dogs Launch Trailer — YouTube
Russian Subway Dogs Console Announcement Trailer — YouTube
Russian Subway Dogs Infobite - Short video on the inspiration behind the game — YouTube
The survival game of Russian Subway Dogs - An in-depth video essay by Overloadr (Portugues with English Subs) - — YouTube
Images
Logo & Icon
Awards & Recognition
- "Official Selection for Comics Vs Games at TCAF" Russian Subway Dogs, 2017
- "Game Informer's Best Indie Games of GDC" Russian Subway Dogs, 2017
- "Official Selection for Fantastic Fest Fantastic Arcade" Russian Subway Dogs prototype version, 2012
Selected Articles
-
[...] a frenetic, well-balanced and responsive arcade eat-em-up with a satisfying core loop and enough funkiness to set it apart. Watch out for exploding vodka bottles and subway bears!
Danielle Riendeau, ZAM -
The game is hectic and scream-inducing, especially when you're facing down poodles and a subway bear.
Simone de Rochefort, Polygon
Additional Links
- Original Soundtrack by Peter Chapman
- Give it a listen on Bandcamp! coinsmakeyoudance.bandcamp.com.
About Spooky Squid Games
- Boilerplate
- Toronto-based micro-studio working on independent, carefully crafted pixel art games mixing old-school presentation with modern design. A fine blend of super cute pixels and dark occult secrets.
- More information
- More information on Spooky Squid Games, our logo & relevant media are available here.
Russian Subway Dogs Credits
- Miguel Sternberg
- Game Designer, Art Director & Programmer - Spooky Squid Games
- Alina Sechkin
- Pixel Artist, Level Designer - Spooky Squid Games
- Parrish Kilthei
- Additional Level Design - Freelancer
- Eric Kim
- Promo Key Illustration - Freelancer
- Peter Chapman
- Musician/Composer - Freelancer