Big Hops, the extraordinarily charming indie platformer that captured hearts upon its release earlier this year, has just received a major update that transforms the solo hopping experience into a multiplayer extravaganza. Players can now bounce, swing, and launch themselves through colorful landscapes with up to seven friends, bringing the total player count to eight in what developer Luckshot Games is calling “Big Hops Together.” The update, currently available in open beta on Steam, represents one of the most significant additions to the critically acclaimed title since its launch.
For those unfamiliar with the game, Big Hops offers a refreshing escape from the often stressful realities of modern life. In a gaming landscape frequently dominated by intense competitive experiences and grim narratives, Big Hops stands out as a pure celebration of movement and joy. The game features players controlling an adorable frog character who must navigate through diverse environments including towering mountains, sweeping desert landscapes, and treacherous ocean passages. The core mechanics revolve around tongue-grappling, air-diving, and being launched from cannons—creating a physics-based playground that rewards both precision and experimentation.
A Full Co-Op Experience Without Compromises
Director Chris Wade, operating under the Luckshot Games banner, has been emphatic that the cooperative mode represents a complete implementation rather than a stripped-down afterthought. According to the official Steam update announcement, “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 commitment to delivering a full-featured multiplayer experience reflects a growing trend among indie developers who recognize that cooperative play can dramatically extend a game’s appeal and longevity.
The addition of multiplayer introduces fascinating new gameplay dynamics that weren’t possible in the solo experience. Players can now tongue-swing from other players, creating chains of momentum that allow for creative solutions to traversal challenges. This mechanic essentially transforms other players into mobile grappling points, opening up entirely new strategic possibilities for speedrunners and casual players alike. The chaos that ensues when eight frogs simultaneously attempt to navigate obstacle courses promises to deliver countless memorable moments and hilarious failures.
Platform Limitations and Development Focus
However, the co-op update does come with one notable limitation that has disappointed some fans. The multiplayer mode will initially be available exclusively on Steam, leaving PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2 players to continue their adventures solo. When asked about this decision, Wade explained to Kotaku that it’s simply “easier to focus” on a single platform during development. This approach is common among smaller indie studios with limited resources, as implementing and testing multiplayer functionality across multiple platforms simultaneously can be extraordinarily complex and time-consuming.
The indie platformer genre has seen remarkable innovation in recent years, with titles like Celeste, Hollow Knight, and more recently games like Pizza Tower pushing the boundaries of what players expect from 2D movement-focused games. Big Hops joins this prestigious lineage while carving out its own identity through its emphasis on accessibility and pure fun. The game’s difficulty curve has been praised for being welcoming to newcomers while still offering challenges for veterans seeking to master its mechanics.
Launch Details and Future Prospects
Big Hops Together is scheduled for its full launch on Steam on August 9, 2025, but eager players don’t have to wait until then to experience the multiplayer mayhem. Anyone who already owns Big Hops can access the cooperative mode immediately by opting into the public ‘Together’ branch through Steam’s beta participation feature. This open beta approach allows Luckshot Games to gather valuable player feedback and identify potential issues before the official release, ensuring a polished experience when the update goes live.
The success of Big Hops represents a broader trend in the gaming industry where smaller, focused experiences can achieve critical acclaim and commercial success without the massive budgets of AAA titles. By prioritizing tight gameplay mechanics and a joyful aesthetic over scope, developers like Luckshot Games demonstrate that innovation in game design doesn’t require unlimited resources—just creativity, passion, and a clear vision of what makes playing games fun.
Expert Opinion: The addition of 8-player co-op to Big Hops signals a strategic move that could significantly extend the game’s commercial lifespan and community engagement. As multiplayer indie titles continue to thrive on streaming platforms and social media, expect Luckshot Games to see renewed interest from content creators, potentially driving a second wave of sales. If the console versions eventually receive multiplayer support, Big Hops could establish itself as a party game staple comparable to titles like Overcooked or Fall Guys.
