Ape Escape Revival Reportedly in Development at Sonic Mania Studio Evening Star

Sony could be preparing to bring back one of PlayStation’s most recognizable classic franchises. According to reports from Video Games Chronicle (VGC) and veteran games journalist Jeff Gerstmann, a new Ape Escape game is reportedly in development at Evening Star, the studio behind Penny’s Big Breakaway and a team founded by developers who previously worked on Sonic Mania.

Although Sony has yet to officially announce the project, the reports suggest that the company may be exploring new ways to revive some of its dormant franchises. If the rumors prove accurate, the return of Ape Escape could be welcome news for longtime PlayStation fans who have been waiting years for another major installment.

However, the project is reportedly still in its early stages, meaning players should not expect an official reveal or release in the immediate future.

Evening Star Is Reportedly Developing a New Ape Escape Game

The rumors gained momentum after Jeff Gerstmann discussed the potential revival on his gaming podcast. According to Gerstmann, he had heard that Sony was working on a new Ape Escape title and that an external development studio was responsible for the project.

Gerstmann specifically identified Evening Star as the studio he believed was working on the game. This is particularly interesting because some fans initially speculated that Team ASOBI, the Sony-owned studio behind Astro Bot, could be involved.

Gerstmann’s account suggests otherwise. Based on the information he received, Sony appears to have entrusted the project to a third-party developer rather than one of its internal studios.

He also explained that the project was reportedly only just getting underway when he first heard about it. Although several months have passed since then, he cautioned that the game was unlikely to be announced and released during the same year.

Importantly, Gerstmann acknowledged that his information was not supported by multiple independent sources at the time he first heard it. That makes the details worth treating cautiously until Sony or the developers provide official confirmation.

VGC subsequently reported that its own sources supported Gerstmann’s account, adding credibility to the possibility of an Ape Escape revival. Nevertheless, neither Sony nor Evening Star has officially confirmed the project.

Why Evening Star Is an Interesting Choice

Evening Star is best known for developing Penny’s Big Breakaway, a colorful 3D platformer built around a character who uses a magical yo-yo to navigate levels, defeat enemies, and overcome environmental challenges.

The studio was founded by developers associated with Sonic Mania, the acclaimed 2017 platformer that successfully captured the spirit of classic 2D Sonic games while introducing new ideas. That background makes Evening Star an intriguing candidate for another established gaming franchise.

The connection is especially relevant because Ape Escape has always relied on creative gameplay rather than simply following conventional platforming formulas. The original PlayStation game became famous for its use of the DualShock controller, requiring players to use its analog sticks to control a range of gadgets while chasing mischievous monkeys.

A new installment would need to preserve that distinctive identity while making the mechanics feel natural on modern hardware. Evening Star’s experience with expressive characters, colorful environments, and inventive platforming could make the studio a suitable fit for the franchise.

Of course, the developer’s previous work does not guarantee that the rumored project will follow the same design philosophy. Without official information, details about the game’s gameplay, visual style, platforms, and story remain unknown.

Clues That Sparked Speculation About Ape Escape

The possibility of Evening Star working on Ape Escape did not emerge entirely out of nowhere. Some of the speculation can be traced back to public activity involving the studio’s founder, Hunter Bridges.

In December 2024, Bridges published a post in both Japanese and English featuring an Ape Escape poster and asking who was familiar with the franchise. The post attracted attention from fans who wondered whether the developer had a personal interest in the series or was hinting at something more significant.

By itself, the post does not confirm involvement in a new game. Developers frequently discuss their favorite games, share nostalgic material, and celebrate influential franchises without having any professional connection to them.

Another detail emerged in July 2025, when Bridges reposted an Evening Star job listing for a senior 3D character artist. He highlighted the need for proven experience in modeling, rigging, and animating anime-styled characters.

The listing was also open to interpretation. Character artists with those skills could contribute to a wide range of projects, and the job description did not identify Ape Escape as the intended game.

Still, when considered alongside the reports from Gerstmann and VGC, these details have encouraged speculation that Evening Star could be preparing to work on a colorful, character-driven project for Sony.

Sony May Be Planning More Franchise Revivals

The reported Ape Escape project could be part of a broader strategy by Sony Interactive Entertainment to revisit older properties through partnerships with external development studios.

According to VGC, multiple sources indicated that Sony was interested in reviving dormant franchises with help from third-party developers. Such an approach could allow the company to revisit recognizable series without assigning every project to its existing first-party teams.

Sony owns a substantial catalog of established PlayStation properties, many of which have gone years without receiving a new mainline installment. Reviving selected franchises could introduce these games to younger audiences while giving longtime fans a reason to return.

Another recent rumor has involved Killzone. MP1st reported that Guerrilla Games was working with an external studio on a possible remaster or remake connected to the first-person shooter franchise. However, the specific game involved and the nature of the project remain unclear.

Neither report establishes that Sony has formally committed to a broad revival program. Still, the possibility of several older franchises returning through external partnerships would represent an interesting development for the PlayStation brand.

For Sony, the challenge would be choosing the right projects and developers. Nostalgia can generate initial interest, but successful revivals also need thoughtful modernization, strong gameplay, and a clear understanding of what made the original games memorable.

When Could the New Ape Escape Be Announced?

At this stage, there is no confirmed announcement date, release window, platform list, or official description of the rumored game.

Gerstmann’s comments suggest that development was in its earliest stages when he first heard about the project. Even if work has continued since then, a new Ape Escape could still be some distance away from a public reveal.

Sony has not confirmed whether the game is intended for PlayStation 5, a future PlayStation console, or additional platforms. It is also unknown whether the project would be a direct sequel, a complete reboot, or a modern reimagining of the original game.

Fans should therefore avoid treating any specific gameplay or release predictions as established facts.

For now, the strongest takeaway is that reports from two separate sources point toward an Ape Escape revival being developed by Evening Star. The studio’s connection to Sonic Mania, combined with its work on Penny’s Big Breakaway, makes the rumor particularly intriguing for fans of classic platformers.

If Sony eventually confirms the project, the next question will be whether the developers can bring the franchise’s distinctive gadget-based monkey-catching gameplay into the modern era without losing the charm that made the original game special.

Until then, the reported Ape Escape revival remains an unconfirmed project worth watching rather than an officially announced PlayStation release.

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