There's a developer named Philip du Pré, and he had a dream: a game combining two of his favorite genres. Sounds like a bunch of stuff that came before it, right? But in this case, the genres matter. They are: the bullet hell shooter and the farming sim.

Philip went to work, and today he released a demo that lets you try his game for yourself. Its title is Monkeys Don't Fear Hell, and you can find it on Steam right now.

Monkeys Don't Fear Hell is a cozy 2D pixel-art farming sim with a twist, according to a press release issued to mark the occasion. Players spend their days planting, crafting, cooking, and trading at the local market. Then they spend their nights battling waves of demons and bosses, before hauling back resources to make their town even stronger.

Philip du Pré, the one-man team at duPreGames, explained his vision thusly:

I wanted to bring together two kinds of games I love: building somewhere you want to spend time, and fighting through somewhere you're trying to survive. Above ground, you're farming, cooking and building your monkey town. Below ground, you're facing demon hordes, bullet-hell combat and bosses. They're connected: cooking and crafting help prepare you for combat, while resources from hell support your settlement.

The game's store listing likens it to Stardew Valley and Vampire Survivors, which sounds just about right. It also sounds like it could be fun. A lot of fun.

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A selection of urban fantasy books, with text in the middle of the banner with a genre hook.
The monkey wanders along a crowded beach environment near the docks.Credit: duPreGames
The monkey wanders along a crowded beach environment near the docks.A character named Mo issues what appears to be a final challenge.At night during the rain, the monkey wanders among statues in town.The monkey steps to the side of a spreadshot of fireballs fired by Mo the Menace in a hellish landscape.Piles of skulls lie along the edge of a lava lake.The monkey dashes toward safety in the form of a green portal.The monkey has died, and the screen warns that some of its loot slipped away.

Here's the list of key features from today's press release:

  • FARM and build your own monkey town exactly how you like it, placing buildings, paths, and decorations anywhere inspiration strikes.

  • DESCEND through the portal into Hell each night for fast-paced bullet-hell combat against waves of demons, turning every supply run into an adrenaline rush.

  • SURVIVE towering bosses like Mo the Menace and The Disturbed, choosing power-ups as you level up to keep every run feeling fresh.

  • EMBRACE THE CURSE on runs marked with effects like Juggernaut or Eclipse, so no two trips to Hell play quite the same.

  • GROW your arsenal at the Armory and shape a Farmer/Fighter skill tree, letting you build a playstyle that bridges both worlds.

  • RELAX with Cozy Mode, an easier setting for players who want the farming side of life without the demon-slaying stress.

  • PLAY YOUR WAY with full controller support, whether you’re tending crops or mowing down demon hordes.

Monkeys From Hell is planned for full release in Q1, 2027. If you would like to learn more about the game or about Philip, check out the official site for more information.