Pony Island 2: Panda Circus
Inscryption creator's next puzzle-box game, out 27 April 2027
- PC
Release date
27 April 2027
The story so far
What we know about Pony Island 2: Panda Circus
Pony Island 2: Panda Circus is an adventure game developed and published by Daniel Mullins Games, the studio behind Pony Island and Inscryption. The Steam page describes it as a phantasmagorical voyage through time, myth, divinity and video games, and states plainly that it is not a game about ponies.
The premise casts the player as a young nomad who has died too soon and ends up in the Earth Prison. To get out with soul and sanity intact, they must bargain with eccentric underworld deities and play through their games, using a steed, a thumb drive and their wits to beat or break them. Game Informer describes the structure as a series of arcade cabinets, each with its own mechanics and visuals, and the game features FMV performances from Sungwon Cho, Arian Moayed, Caitlin Reilly and Kevin Saxby.
The release date of 27 April 2027 was announced in August 2026 alongside a release date trailer, around gamescom. Only a PC release on Steam is listed. The page shows a single-player game with Steam Achievements and Cloud support, 14 supported languages and very modest minimum requirements (Windows 7 64-bit, 4 GB RAM, 4 GB storage), and a mature-content notice for general adult themes.
What to expect from Pony Island 2: Panda Circus
Based on what the developer and publisher have shown so far.
- 01
A game of games
Players face underworld deities by playing their games, reportedly a series of arcade cabinets each with distinct mechanics and visuals.
- 02
Beat it or break it
The Steam page promises that players can beat or break games with a steed, a thumb drive and their wits, hinting at the meta-game tricks the studio is known for.
- 03
FMV performances
Live-action performances from Sungwon Cho, Arian Moayed, Caitlin Reilly and Kevin Saxby are part of the game.
- 04
Destiny or transcendence
The official pitch describes a choice between embracing and transcending destiny, suggesting a branching or choice-driven structure.
See it for yourself
Confirmed. Unconfirmed. Clear.
A quick way to separate official information from speculation.
Confirmed
- Release: 27 April 2027 on PC via Steam.Steam (Daniel Mullins Games)
- Play as a young nomad imprisoned in the Earth Prison, bargaining with underworld deities to escape with soul and sanity intact.Steam (Daniel Mullins Games)
- Single-player, with 14 supported languages, Steam Achievements and Steam Cloud.Steam (Daniel Mullins Games)
- The date was announced on 25 August 2026 with a release date trailer; Gematsu lists Daniel Mullins Games as developer.Gematsu
- FMV performances from Sungwon Cho, Arian Moayed, Caitlin Reilly and Kevin Saxby, and a structure built around arcade cabinets with unique mechanics.Game Informer
Not confirmed
Console versions
Only PC is listed. No PS5, Xbox or Switch version has been announced.
Price
No price is shown on the Steam page, which currently offers wishlisting only.
Demo
No playable demo is mentioned on the official page.
Connection to Pony Island
The sequel is named after the first game, but how closely the story links to it has not been detailed.
Rumours are labelled and linked to their source.
Timeline
The road to release, from announcement to launch.
25 August 2026
Release date of 27 April 2027 announced with a release date trailer. Gematsu
27 April 2027
Planned release on PC via Steam. Steam (Daniel Mullins Games)
Waiting for Pony Island 2: Panda Circus? Play these
Our best guesses until it is out, picked for the same kind of experience.
Pony Island
The original: a cursed arcade machine puzzle game from the same developer.
Inscryption
Daniel Mullins' card-based horror puzzle game, full of meta twists.
The Case of the Golden Idol
A mystery game that rewards careful observation and piecing clues together.
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
A puzzle adventure with an eerie atmosphere.
Undertale
Another game famous for playing with expectations and the player's choices.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to what people search for most.
When is Pony Island 2: Panda Circus released?
It is scheduled for 27 April 2027, according to the Steam page and the August 2026 announcement.
Which platforms is it coming to?
Only PC via Steam is announced. No console versions have been mentioned.
Is it about ponies?
No. The official description says it is not a game about ponies. It follows a nomad trapped in the Earth Prison who must bargain with underworld deities.
Who is making it?
Daniel Mullins Games, the studio behind Pony Island and Inscryption, develops and publishes the game.
Is there a demo or a price?
Neither is listed yet. The Steam page currently only offers wishlisting.