The timelessness that is Atari’s Yars universe introduces players to an easter egg-loaded sci-fi entry with Yars Rising, the side-scrolling metroidvania adventure from developer WayForward — with an official demo out now as part of Steam Next Fest!
Download the Yars Rising demo and play now on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/YarsRising
If you missed IGN Live this past Sunday, be sure to check out the newly released gameplay trailer, giving fans a first look at the expansive vivid world of Yars Rising. Punctuated by anime-inspired cyberpunk character designs, and an energetic soundtrack, the trailer shows off the game’s stealth mechanics, run’n’gun gameplay, and an array of enemy encounters. Inspired by the classic Yars franchise and boasting WayForward’s unique creative touch, Yars Rising introduces a bottomless mystery and a sprawling, interconnected map with loads of genre-splicing moments from 2D fight sequences to turn-based battles.
Watch the Yars Rising gameplay trailer here:
YouTube | Download
More about Yars Rising
In Yars Rising, players take control of Emi Kimura, a young hacker who’s been hired by a mysterious entity to infiltrate the shadowy Qotech corporation. Run, jump, sneak, and hack your way through challenges and retro-inspired mini-games to unravel layers of intrigue in this vast sci-fi mystery. Embark on Emi’s journey to decipher the mystery of the corporation’s closely guarded secret and uncover her inexplicable bond to a far-off alien race.
In true metroidvania fashion, Emi grows in power throughout her adventure, allowing her to retrace her steps and reach previously inaccessible and secret areas. Her evolving hacking skills are critical to solving stimulating minigames that reference the innovative gameplay from the Atari 2600 title Yars’ Revenge.
Key Features Include:
- Otherworldly Abilities: Emi must jump, blast, and sneak her way past waves of robotic and alien enemies. Her latent powers are revealed as she progresses, granting her wild augments and biohacks to reach inaccessible areas.
- Stealth Traversal: Emi can’t always shoot or jump her way out of a jam — tense sections of stealth gameplay force her to skillfully duck into the shadows to hide from relentless security bots.
- Sci-fi Intrigue: A seemingly bottomless mystery takes Emi from drab office buildings into underground labs, and even to the farthest reaches of space. A sprawling, interconnected map allows for hours upon hours of gameplay.
- Genre Mix: A metroidvania at its core, Yars Rising progresses the story with a series of hacking minigames paying homage to the original Yars’ Revenge, along with other levels and boss battles that take Emi far and beyond her “normal” adventure, like fight scenes and turn-based battles.
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