It is PAX East 2025, and Boss Rush is here to bring you the latest and greatest gaming news fresh out of Boston. Several noteworthy titles can be found at the PAX Rising Showcase–a curated collection selected by the PAX team themselves. These games stood out from the crowd in gameplay, entertainment, or inventiveness; regardless of which genres or platforms you favor. One worth mentioning is On Any Journey.
On Any Journey is a couch co-op puzzle adventure title by Funbrew Games. You and a friend play as two kids, Mateo and Kai, who strive for normalcy. They are bullied for being different, and they set off on a wild adventure to find a cure to fit in. But in the end, is that what what they really want? Teamwork, personal growth, and the value of friendship and shining themes in On Any Journey, and the charming blend of art styles and arcade-like mini games makes this worth playing.
I played On any Journey with my colleague, Nellie, and we had a blast traversing this hand-drawn 2D side scroller. After fending off bullies, we were joined by an AI companion, Summer. We eventually landed in a Cuphead-like match against a boss, which was equal parts punishing and fun.
Feature: Commentary from Nellie, friend of Boss Rush & former Cross Roads co-host
“This is a game that I have never heard of until I attended PAX East. It is a game filled with exciting journeys–and not just any journey. These are adventures that you can enjoy with a friend. It’s a couch co-op that focuses on friends that overcome differences that impact their lives. What I love most about this concept is that it teaches players that no matter what you are going through, you can overcome anything that you put your mind to.”
During my time at the booth, I also got to speak with lead game designers, Jay Shang and Zhou Yang. They’ve worked on On Any Journey for the last two years, focusing on character development first, and letting the narrative follow. Many themes reflect their experiences throughout childhood, making this game relatable to many of us who longed to fit in. They even pointed out various points of inspiration. For example, many buildings were directly inspired by real-life places and architecture.
This is an experience best shared with a friend, and I believe On Any Journey has what it takes to be a standout title in the indie video game space. Intended release is on Steam toward the end of 2025; however, Funbew Games is also looking at a potential Switch 2 release as well. If you’re interesting, check out the trailer below:
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Featured Image Source: Funbrew Games
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