The Yars Universe Like You’ve Never Seen It — Atari and WayForward Show Off Run-and-Gun Action, Stealth Mechanics, and Arcade-inspired Minigames
New York, NY (June 9, 2024) – Atari — one of the world’s most iconic consumer brands and interactive entertainment producers — and developer WayForward released globally today the first full-length gameplay trailer for Yars Rising, the stealth-based Metroidvania take on one of Atari’s richest classic titles.
Revealed at IGN Live 2024, the all-new gameplay trailer shows off the vivid world of Yars Rising, punctuated by anime-inspired cyberpunk character designs, an energetic soundtrack, and a look at the game’s stealth mechanics and enemy encounters. What starts off as a simple ‘get in, get out’ mission quickly turns into more than what the young hacker Emi bargains for— from blasting robots to dodging lasers, to hacking complex systems and acquiring bio-hacks that grant unexpected abilities.
Watch the Yars Rising gameplay trailer here:
YouTube | Download
“With Yars Rising, 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,” said WayForward Director James Montagna. “We’re delighted to unveil the first look at gameplay, introducing fans to Emi and teasing what’s in store when it releases later this year.”
“Since the day I joined Atari, creating a new Yars game has been a dream of mine. I’m thrilled that we had the opportunity to collaborate with WayForward, one of my favorite studios, on this ambitious project,” said Wade Rosen, Chairman and CEO of Atari. “The new story that Wayforward has created for Yars Rising is going to excite fans and introduce a new generation to the Yars universe through WayForward’s unique creative lens.”
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 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 as she uncovers the dark truth behind the Qotech corporation. A sprawling, interconnected map allows for hours upon hours of gameplay.
- Genre Mash-Ups: 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.
WayForward has built a reputation for developing franchises featuring strong characters and rich storytelling. In Yars Rising, the studio delivers a side-scrolling Metroidvania adventure with platforming action, a balance of stealth and combat gameplay, and unique genre switch-ups.
Yars Rising is slated for release on Windows PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 &5, and Xbox Series X in late 2024. Play the first official demo as part of Steam Next Fest from June 10 — 17, 2024.
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A full press kit with images and the reveal trailer can be found here: https://uberstrategist.link/Yars-Rising-Press-Kit
About WayForward
Founded in 1990 by Voldi Way, WayForward has become one of the biggest independent developers in the video game industry and home to some of the finest talent in the business. The company got its start during the PC, Super NES, and Genesis era of gaming, rode the educational CD-ROM wave through the ’90s, and eventually found our way back onto handhelds and consoles. Wayforward built its reputation on solid gaming fundamentals, feature-quality character animation, and the ability to faithfully turn any brand into interactive entertainment – including original properties of our own design, adaptations of comic book and Hollywood favorites, and exciting new entries in classic gaming franchises.
About Atari
Atari is an interactive entertainment company and an iconic gaming industry brand that transcends generations and audiences. The company is globally recognized for its multi-platform, interactive entertainment, and licensed products. Atari owns and/or manages a portfolio of more than 200 unique games and franchises, including world-renowned brands like Asteroids®, Centipede®, Missile Command®, Pong®, and RollerCoaster Tycoon®. The Atari family of brands includes game developers Digital Eclipse and Nightdive Studios, the publishing label Infogrames, and the community-based sites AtariAge and MobyGames. Atari has offices in New York and Paris. Visit us online at www.Atari.com.
Atari shares are listed in France on Euronext Growth Paris (ISIN Code FR0010478248, Ticker ALATA) and OTC Pink Current (Ticker PONGF).
©2024 Atari Interactive, Inc. Atari wordmark and logo are trademarks owned by Atari Interactive, Inc.
PRESS CONTACT
Jessica Timms, Brett Buren, and Tabitha Beidleman
ÜberStrategist Inc.
pr@uberstrategist.com
1-646-844-8388
Press Kit: https://uberstrategist.link/Yars-Rising-Press-Kit
