WayForward has done it again! The legendary developers behind hits like Shantae and River City Girls have breathed new life into a classic Atari title with Yars Rising. If you’re a fan of 2D action-adventure games packed with exploration, mind-bending puzzles, and slick anime-inspired designs, you’ll want to dive headfirst into this one. Get ready for a ride through neon-drenched cyberpunk landscapes as you take control of a young hacker named Emi Kimura. Now, let’s get a Yars Rising gameplay breakdown and learn all that’s important.
A New Take on a Classic
WayForward has much more in mind than igniting nostalgia. Yars Rising brings back the beloved franchise with a fresh new storyline, fluid platforming mechanics, and healthy amounts of sci-fi intrigue. For those who appreciated the classic game Yars’ Revenge from the original Atari 2600 version, will show proper appreciation for, but for people new to the experience, they will find themselves captivated by all of the innovative gameplay as well as visual appeal.
As WayForward’s director, James Montagna, aptly put it, “We set out to honor one of Atari’s most enduring franchises, while creating some new rules and breaking old ones, just like Yars’ Revenge did.”
Emi Kimura: The Hacker Hero
In Yars Rising, you will play as Emi Kimura, a young hacker with an unknown past. Her mission begins pretty simple: get into the QoTech Corporation, snipe some data, and get out. And of course, it never is that easy. As Emi digs through the company’s secrets, she discovers a dark conspiracy that ties her to this alien race and grants her some wildly insane powers. While playing this game, Emi develops new features, unlocks new skills and abilities, and also bio-hacks.
Actually, the Metroidvania design forces the player to play like this because of the backtracking, exploring, and uncovering hidden areas through skills that Emi develops. Therefore, this form of structure also refreshes gameplay, where it makes the player explore every nook and cranny of WayForward’s colorful cyberpunk world.
2D Platforming Action
WayForward brings its signature platforming goodness to Yars Rising, a game that combines retro 2D action with new, modern elements. Play as Emi through waves of robotic foes, dashing and leaping. You will also find puzzles in the middle of all this action. The adventure unfolds as the powers of Emi grow with bio hacks and open up previously inaccessible areas.
Stealth and Action: A Perfect Balance
In Yars Rising gameplay, there’s a perfect balance between heart-pounding action and stealth. On one hand, you’ll be running, jumping, and blasting your way past robotic and alien enemies. At the same time, there are moments when Emi has to rely heavily on her stealth skills to navigate through high-security zones undetected. It’s a mix that constantly keeps you on your toes as you switch seamlessly between fast-paced combat and slow, deliberate sneaking.
The trailer showcases Emi dodging laser beams, seeking cover behind walls, and the perfect timing with which she moves past her foes. I am sure it is very thrilling to sneak past guards without triggering alarms. Just when you feel safe, the game Yars Rising dials ups the difficulty by introducing hacking puzzles that completely change the dynamics of gameplay.
Powering Up with Bio-Hacks
What distinguishes Yars Rising from other platformers is the ability Emi has to wield biohacks. As the journey unfolds, she acquires many different powers and augmentations that will assist her in communicating with the environment in specific ways. Need to cross an enormous gap? Use a boost that lets you jump higher than usual. Encounter a locked door? Cut through it using what Emi comes to attain in the course of her adventures. In addition, it serves as a role-playing bio-hacks within mini-games inspired from the original Yars’ Revenge.
Mini-Games and Homages to the Classic
Speaking of Yars’ Revenge, WayForward has packed in a whole series of hacking mini-games that pay tribute to the original Atari classic. You’ll have to think fast with quick-twitch puzzles just like the top-down shooting gameplay of Yars’ Revenge. Fans of retro gaming will love the callback, and new players will find the mini-games a fun diversion from the main story.
A Sci-Fi Mystery Unfolds
The more you play Yars Rising, the deeper the mystery gets. What starts as a simple infiltration mission quickly spirals into a massive conspiracy involving aliens, secret government projects, and corporate greed. Also, Emi’s connection to the alien race Yars is at the heart of the story, and as she uncovers more about her own past, players will be hooked by the plot twists and revelations.
Release Date and Platforms
Excited yet? Yars Rising is set to launch on 10th September 2024 on multiple platforms, including Windows PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, and Xbox Series X. The game has already been showcased during Steam Next Fest, where players got a taste of the action with a demo. But, if you missed it, don’t worry—more gameplay reveals are on the horizon, and you can expect to see more of Emi’s adventure as the release date approaches.
Summary
WayForward is no stranger to reviving beloved franchises, and with Yars Rising, they’ve managed to create something that feels both fresh and familiar. The combination of 2D platforming, stealth gameplay, biohacks, and mini-games makes for an experience that will keep players engaged from start to finish.
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