Le Cartel and publisher Devolver Digital announced Heave Ho, a physics-driven local multiplayer adventure built for couch co-op and short, chaotic matches on Nintendo Switch.
The title was showcased to the public at PAX East 2019 (Booth #18096) and later released on Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam on August 29, 2019.
Heave Ho is available on the Nintendo eShop and aims to deliver accessible, party-style gameplay for up to four players.
Gameplay and mechanics
Heave Ho centers on a simple but tense objective: don’t fall.
Players control small grapple-equipped characters that use their hands to latch onto level geometry and to each other.
Cooperative physics-based traversal is the core loop — players can grab teammates, form clinging chains, and swing or fling one another across gaps.
Character customization options let players add cosmetic accessories to personalize their avatars during local sessions.
Rewriting the announcement: what the developer and publisher said
In their announcement, Le Cartel and Devolver Digital described Heave Ho as a cooperative experience that brings up to four players together to avoid falling to their deaths.
In plain terms, the teams explained that players must coordinate hand-to-hand grabs, climbs, and swings to navigate each stage, using the momentum of allies to reach the goal.
The publisher also emphasized the game’s focus on lighthearted, chaotic interactions and on-screen freneticism that make it well-suited for party play.
Public showings and industry context
Heave Ho was playable at PAX East 2019 on a 20-foot 4K screen, where attendees could test the core four-player experience ahead of launch.
Devolver Digital, known for publishing distinctive indie titles, handled distribution and marketing, placing Heave Ho on the Nintendo eShop and Steam storefronts upon release.
Availability and platforms
Heave Ho launched on August 29, 2019 for Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam.
The game’s support for local multiplayer and short session lengths positions it squarely in the party-game category on the Nintendo Switch, a platform with a strong audience for social, couch-based indie titles.
For players interested in physics-based cooperative play, Heave Ho offers a compact, accessible package with easy-to-learn controls, visual customization, and the kind of unpredictable moments that define memorable party games.
The title was showcased to the public at PAX East 2019 (Booth #18096) and later released on Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam on August 29, 2019.
Heave Ho is available on the Nintendo eShop and aims to deliver accessible, party-style gameplay for up to four players.
Gameplay and mechanics
Heave Ho centers on a simple but tense objective: don’t fall.
Players control small grapple-equipped characters that use their hands to latch onto level geometry and to each other.
Cooperative physics-based traversal is the core loop — players can grab teammates, form clinging chains, and swing or fling one another across gaps.
Character customization options let players add cosmetic accessories to personalize their avatars during local sessions.
Rewriting the announcement: what the developer and publisher said
In their announcement, Le Cartel and Devolver Digital described Heave Ho as a cooperative experience that brings up to four players together to avoid falling to their deaths.
In plain terms, the teams explained that players must coordinate hand-to-hand grabs, climbs, and swings to navigate each stage, using the momentum of allies to reach the goal.
The publisher also emphasized the game’s focus on lighthearted, chaotic interactions and on-screen freneticism that make it well-suited for party play.
Public showings and industry context
Heave Ho was playable at PAX East 2019 on a 20-foot 4K screen, where attendees could test the core four-player experience ahead of launch.
Devolver Digital, known for publishing distinctive indie titles, handled distribution and marketing, placing Heave Ho on the Nintendo eShop and Steam storefronts upon release.
Availability and platforms
Heave Ho launched on August 29, 2019 for Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam.
The game’s support for local multiplayer and short session lengths positions it squarely in the party-game category on the Nintendo Switch, a platform with a strong audience for social, couch-based indie titles.
For players interested in physics-based cooperative play, Heave Ho offers a compact, accessible package with easy-to-learn controls, visual customization, and the kind of unpredictable moments that define memorable party games.
