APE OUT is a wildly intense and colorfully stylized smash ‘em up about primal escape, rhythmic violence, and frenetic jazz.
You control a large, orange gorilla escaping captivity through a series of procedurally generated levels. The focus is on using the gorilla's brute strength and momentum to overpower and eliminate human opponents standing in the way of freedom.
The controls are intentionally simple, with only two main actions - grab and push/throw. By grabbing an enemy, you can use them as both a weapon and a shield, tossing them at other foes or using them to absorb gunfire. This core loop of grabbing, smashing, and throwing enemies is the foundation of the gameplay.
Your actions sync up to the dynamic, jazz-infused soundtrack. Each kill, impact, and environmental destruction triggers audio cues that blend into the procedurally-generated music, creating a sense that you are performing a violent symphony. The music reacts to your momentum and intensity, further reinforcing the rhythm-based nature of the combat.
The levels are procedurally generated, creating new layouts and enemy placements each time you attempt an "album" (the game's term for a collection of levels). This randomization, combined with the gorilla's limited movement speed, encourages you to react quickly to your surroundings and improvise your escape route on the fly. The procedural nature also adds replayability, as no two runs will be exactly the same.
While the controls are simple, the game is described as "wildly intense" and "brutally challenging". It requires quick reflexes, spatial awareness, and mastery of the gorilla's momentum-based movement to overcome the onslaught of human opponents, environmental hazards, and deadly traps. Death comes swiftly, and you'll need to learn from your mistakes to progress.
Despite the high difficulty, you'll experience a strong sense of satisfaction and empowerment as you improve at the game's mechanics. Mastering the timing and techniques to efficiently eliminate groups of enemies, as well as navigating the procedural levels, provides a rewarding experience. The inclusion of high-score leaderboards and challenge modes further incentivizes you to hone your skills.