The Messenger’s Free Picnic Panic DLC Available Now

8/16-bit Ninja Gaiden successor The Messenger dropped at the end of Summer 2018 and quickly grabbed attention for the game’s responsive controls, detailed pixel art, and rhythmic soundtrack that never got old. Fans who already finished the game were able to go for a second run through following the patched in New Game Plus, but even after that left players hungry for more content.

Later that December, developer Sabotage announced that a new tropical-fused DLC pack is in development with a release date stamped for some time in 2019. Revealing that atop of the new locale will introduce three new levels as well as bosses for each respected mission. Even more generous of publisher Digital Devolver, the new content will be available for no extra charge.

At this year’s PAX East back in April, I managed to get some hands on time with the introductory level of the game. After discovering the neighboring island has been intercepted by the antagonizing demons of the base game, the Messenger then travels to the isle where the new story kicks off. You can read the full piece here.

Following the demo of the downloadable content, I spoke with one of the Sabotage team members regarding what they have planned for the coming content: revealing that the studio is planning to release the DLC at some point in June. But it seems the development got the best of the team as fans are greeted with a July release, which isn’t too far off.

The Messenger as well as the Picnic Panic DLC is available now for Nintendo Switch, PC, and PlayStation 4.