Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game is set to launch on July 2 across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, Nintendo Switch 1 and 2, and PC via Steam.
Gameplay Group International and PM Studios’ 1v1 2D fighting game based on the phenomenally popular animated series, Avatar: The Last Airbender, is priced $29.99, and will feature crossplay at launch.
Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game is described as being “rooted in the spirit of elemental mastery.” Its official blurb continues: “Designed for both newcomers and veterans, it channels the energy of classic fighting games while breaking new ground in movement, style, and combat expression. Built with a focus on fluidity, responsiveness, and online integrity, the game invites players to discover what it truly means to fight with purpose. Hand-drawn in 2D, it is crafted to preserve the style and expressive animation of the original series.”
12 playable characters are expected at launch, with “many more” released via a seasonal model. There are selectable support characters who “influence your fighting style and grant special moves.” The unique “Flow System” provides “movement centric” gameplay. There’s a single-player “campaign” with an original narrative, combo trials, a gallery mode, and “best in class” netcode.
Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game is developed by the little known Gameplay Group International, which was founded by Victor Lugo, who was for a time lead designer at Iron Galaxy working on Killer Instinct, and Philip Mayes, who was managing director of Australian games company Mighty Kingdom, which has a number of licensed games under its belt.
Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game was in the works at Swedish firm Maximum Entertainment for some time before it was quietly canceled in 2024, according to a financial report. The company never responded to IGN’s request for comment. Gameplay Group International took the Avatar fighting game Maximum Entertainment was working on to try to revive it.
You might remember Maximum Entertainment for its publishing label, Modus Games, abruptly ceasing development on 2D fighting game Them’s Fightin’ Herds, sparking a backlash from players. Maximum Entertainment has suffered financial problems, executive resignations, and legal action against former board members.
Some relatively well known fighting game developers worked at Maximum Entertainment while it was developing this Avatar fighting game. The most high profile is Mike Zaimont, who was design director on fighting game Skullgirls. Zaimont, now design director at Maximum Entertainment, was previously accused of sexual harassment while boss of Lab Zero Games. He went on to work on Diesel Legacy: The Brazen Age, a 2v2 indie fighter from Modus Games (the same publisher of Them’s Fightin’ Herds). Gameplay Group International is now the publisher of Diesel Legacy and Them’s Fightin’ Herds, as well as Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
