By Jon Scarr
Two Calgary indie studios are working on very different adventure games. Nice Axe Games is developing the co-op adventure Kali & Ko. RetroDragon Entertainment is working on The Path of Kana, a top-down action-adventure RPG inspired by classic The Legend of Zelda games.
Kali & Ko centres on two junior explorer cats. Its combat system can adapt if you or your co-op partner is having a harder time. The Path of Kana takes its Zelda inspiration in another direction. A built-in randomizer can shuffle items and change how you progress through its dungeons.
Both games were recently playable at Game Con Canada 2026. In an August 9, 2026 report, CTV News Edmonton spoke with developers Sean Santin and Andrew Glubrecht about the games. Nice Axe Games currently anticipates releasing Kali & Ko in 2027. RetroDragon Entertainment expects The Path of Kana to arrive in 2028.
Kali & Ko Adapts Co-op Combat To Different Skill Levels
Nice Axe Games was founded by Sean Santin and his brothers. Their memories of playing co-op games together influenced Kali & Ko. The game follows two junior explorer cats stranded on an island. Combat and puzzle solving require them to work together as they figure out what is happening there.
The combat can react to how you and your co-op partner are doing. If you're having a harder time, the game can increase the gap between enemy attacks against you. Enemies can also concentrate more of their attacks on your co-op partner.
That idea caught my attention because it addresses a common co-op mismatch. You can play with a friend or family member who is still learning without both needing the same skill level. Nice Axe Games also plans a highest difficulty meant to challenge experienced gamers, so the adaptive approach isn't only about making combat easier.
The Path of Kana Mixes Zelda Inspiration With A Built-In Randomizer
RetroDragon Entertainment is a one-person Calgary studio run by Andrew Glubrecht. The Path of Kana draws inspiration from The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and The Minish Cap. Kana's journey is about helping lost souls return home, and that takes her through haunted dungeons filled with puzzles.
Its built-in randomizer can move items to different locations, so the expected dungeon order can change from one playthrough to the next. A route that starts one way during one run may send you somewhere else the next time.
Glubrecht is also developing a full story if you want a more traditional action-adventure experience. The Path of Kana received Best Gameplay from CGMagazine at Game Con Canada 2026, where RetroDragon Entertainment had a playable demo.
Both Games Can Be Wishlisted On Steam
Nice Axe Games also brought Kali & Ko to Game Con Canada, where attendees could try a demo. Both developers spoke about hearing reactions directly from those who spent time with their games at the event.
Neither game has a firm public release date yet. Nice Axe Games currently anticipates a 2027 release for Kali & Ko. RetroDragon Entertainment expects The Path of Kana to arrive in 2028.
You can wishlist both games on Steam. You can also sign up for Kali & Ko playtesting through its Steam page as development continues.
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