Yars Rising is a bold attempt to revive one of Atari’s most iconic franchises, but with a distinct modern twist thanks to the development team at WayForward. The game successfully merges the retro roots of Yars’ Revenge with modern 2D action-adventure gameplay, creating a layered experience that tries to balance nostalgia with new mechanics. At the heart of the story is Emi Kimura, a young hacker tasked with infiltrating the mysterious QoTech corporation. The narrative sets itself up as a sci-fi thriller with shades of corporate espionage, unraveling a complex secret as Emi gains new abilities throughout her adventure. It’s quite different from the original game, so we were looking forward to checking it out – which we did on a PlayStation 5.
The game’s platforming sections are engaging, offering a blend of combat, exploration, and stealth that keeps things varied. Emi’s abilities also evolve as she progresses, with hacking mechanics that add depth beyond simple run-and-gun gameplay. These abilities help in unlocking new areas, reminiscent of a Metroidvania style of progression, where backtracking to earlier areas reveals hidden secrets and inaccessible zones once you have these abilities unlocked. The game’s map, while interconnected, can sometimes feel overwhelming, as the sheer amount of retracing steps can slow down the pacing. However, the addition of hacking minigames inspired by the original Yars’ Revenge, complete with 2600-style visuals, adds a nice retro touch, and these moments of quick-twitch gameplay are fun, even if they occasionally feel disconnected from the core experience for the sake of a retro nod.
Yars Rising looks great – the 2D platforming and nicely rendered environments evoke the classic WayForward art style, blending anime influences with crisp, vibrant settings – fans of the Shantae games will feel right at home. Each area is visually distinct, from corporate offices to hidden labs, keeping the player engaged as they move through different zones. The character designs, especially Emi and her hacker allies, bring personality to the story, though the narrative itself sometimes struggles to maintain its momentum as it dives deeper into alien conspiracies and corporate drama.
The game’s controls are responsive, especially during the action-heavy sequences where precise platforming and shooting are key. However, the stealth mechanics, while a welcome change of pace, aren’t always as finely tuned. At times, Emi’s movements during stealth feel a bit sluggish, making it difficult to smoothly transition between sneaking and sprinting when spotted. Despite this, the game’s combat mechanics and boss fights are satisfying, especially when Emi’s powers are fully unlocked and players can combine abilities to tackle enemies in creative ways – this is a game that gets better as it progresses, like we noted in our preview.
In terms of audio, Yars Rising does a commendable job with its atmospheric soundtrack, which matches the game’s shifting moods from tense sections to fast-paced action sequences. The sound design, while not revolutionary, complements the gameplay well, with subtle effects during hacking segments and more dynamic cues during combat.
Yars Rising ultimately delivers a solid platforming adventure that brings something fresh to the Yars franchise. While it has its share of minor pacing issues and uneven stealth mechanics, it offers a fun blend of modern platforming action and retro charm with plenty of nostalgic nods. For fans of WayForward’s distinct style and those who appreciate a mix of nostalgia and new ideas, this is a journey worth taking, even if it doesn’t always feel groundbreaking.
Score: 7.2/10
Press Play Media 