Summary
Arriving long after its 2008 release,Castle Crashersis getting a brand new DLC this summer, continuing the game’s evolution nearly twenty years after its original unveiling. This marks developer The Behemoth’s fourth DLC forCastle Crashersand the first since 2011.
The game’s cheeky take on the classic four-player beat-em-up first graced consumers' screens several console generations ago and met with generally favorable reviews and millions of units sold across its various incarnations.Castle Crashershas since received a remastered edition, along with a variety of additional content releases introducing new characters, mini-games, and more. The Behemoth’s last new title (remasters notwithstanding) was 2023’sAlien Hominid Invasion, a side-scrolling roguelike shooter that features 4-player cooperative play similar toCastle Crashers.
The newCastle CrashersDLC was announced in June 2024as a Steam exclusive, and it will launch in summer of 2025. Featuring the lowliest henchman from the original game, the new content is titledPainter Boss Paradise, after the toolbox-headed servant of the Evil Wizard, The Painter (voiced in the announcement trailer and game by text-to-speech emulator Boing). While adding a few new skins, weapons, and a novel character Paint Junior (who cracks skulls with a gigantic pencil), the DLC also grants players the ability to create and share custom skins with newly integrated Steam Workshop functionality. Those user-generated characters are granted a full suite of animations and can be used to replace not only the player avatars but also any generic enemy in the game. They can also be granted any of the magical abilities culled from the existing pool of arcane talents present in the game.
Castle Crashers DLC Trailer
Aside from the significant expansion toCastle Crashers' already impressive array of characters, the DLC also features a redesigned world map (with animated Easter eggs a-plenty), a universally-implemented auto-potion feature, and other quality-of-life improvements. While the update is currently only being released on Steam, The Behemoth co-founder Dan Paladin gives a resounding “probably” to the possibility of console availability down the line.
With thePainter Boss Paradise,Castle Crashersgets its first new content since thePink Knight Pack, hinting at a continuing lifecycle for the title. The DLC will launch in early summer 2025 at an appealing $3.99 price point and promises to significantly up the insanity factor in an already zany game. As The Behemoth is apparently taking a very long view to continued support and development for its projects, this may not be the last we see of its classic madcap chivalrous side-scroller.
Castle Crashers
WHERE TO PLAY
Hack, slash, and smash your way to victory in this Remastered edition of the popular 2D arcade adventure from The Behemoth!If you fancy co-op games, why don’t you try our new favorite fancy co-op game: Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime - available now!At 60FPS, Castle Crashers Remastered delivers hi-res visuals like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Up to four friends can play locally or online and save your princess, defend your kingdom, and crash some castles!•Unlock more than 25 characters and over 40 weapons!•Intuitive combo and magic system: Unlock an arsenal of new attacks as your character progresses through the game.•Level up your character and adjust Strength, Magic, Defense, and Agility.•Adorable animal orbs are your companions. Each adds different abilities to aid you on your journey.•Arena mode: Battle other players in free-for-all or team matches!•Back Off Barbarian mini game: Jump and hop across the level to avoid the enemies!•Insane Mode: Test your skills in the ultimate campaign challengeundefined
