Game: Yars Rising
Genre: Action, Adventure
System: Nintendo Switch (also available on Steam (Windows), PS4 & PS5, Xbox & Atari VCS)
Developer | Publisher: WayForward | Atari
Age Rating: EU 7+ | US Everyone 10+
Price: US $29.99 | UK 24.99 | EU € 29,99
Release Date: September 10th, 2024
A review code was provided, and many thanks to Uber Strategist.
Yars Rising Takes an Atari Classic in a Bold New Direction
Yars Rising is the spiritual successor to Yars’ Revenge, an Atari 2600 classic that became the best-selling first-party game on the platform. The original had a simple concept: you played as an insect-like alien, chipping away at an enemy shield before firing a mega cannon.
Yars Rising, however, takes the series in a new direction, evolving into an action-adventure game where you explore large maps, collect upgrades, and unlock previously inaccessible areas. Atari entrusted this ambitious project to WayForward, known for hits like the Shantae series and River City Girls. Despite the shift in gameplay, WayForward delivers an experience that’s welcoming to new players while offering enough nostalgia to satisfy longtime fans.
Infiltrate the Evil Corporation
You play as Emi, an employee at the tech company Qotech, who begins her journey tasked with a simple hacking job: infiltrating the company’s servers using a USB drive. What starts as a routine task quickly spirals into something far more sinister as Emi uncovers the company’s dark secrets, soon finding herself battling an alien invasion. Emi’s journey takes her from saving her job to saving the world, all while maintaining a lighthearted, humorous tone.
The original Yars’ Revenge came with a comic book detailing its plot. Still, Yars Rising opts for a more humorous approach, with fully voiced characters and Emi delivering a steady stream of jokes as she navigates the game’s challenges. Favourites for me included references to recurring enemies and commenting on whether she could make an impossible jump.
Emi’s constant quips and commentary as you explore the map can be a bit much for some players, but thankfully, the developers included an option to turn this off in the menu. The quirky, engaging dialogue and playful tone are clear signatures of WayForward’s style, adding charm and personality to the overall experience.
Exploration and Combat
Fans of the adventure genre will feel right at home in Yars Rising. WayForward has a strong track record with this style, and they bring their signature polish here. The game offers a sprawling map that’s easy to navigate thanks to a helpful mini-map marking your next objective. Combat is a mix of run-and-gun shooting, with a variety of biotic and insect enemies to battle, as well as some challenging boss fights.
Early on, Emi unlocks a laser shot and, later, more powerful weapons like laser missiles. The gameplay feels reminiscent of Metroid, but with unique skills like walking on water and controlling a drone that can attack enemies or solidify platforms, Yars Rising manages to set itself apart. But it also achieves this with some other gameplay mechanics.
Stealth Segments
Breaking up the action, Yars Rising includes stealth segments where Emi must avoid detection by armoured enemies. Weapons won’t help here, so you’ll need to stay out of sight and time your movements carefully. These sections aren’t overly punishing; getting spotted only results in a restart with a health penalty. While the stealth mechanics add variety, they may not be everyone’s favourite part of the game due to the slower pace.
Hacking: A Standout Feature
The most distinct feature of Yars Rising is its hacking mini-games, which cleverly pay homage to the original Yars’ Revenge. Scattered throughout the map are computer terminals that Emi must hack to unlock new areas and abilities. These pixelated mini-games echo the retro style of the original, and the formula changes with each terminal, offering fresh challenges. While these segments can be tough, the game provides an invincibility option after multiple failures, allowing players to proceed without frustration. A nice touch is that these mini-games can be replayed from the main menu.
The upgrades you unlock through hacking can be equipped via a Tetris-like system in the menu, where you slot enhancements that boost stats or aid in hacking. This encourages exploration and allows you to play around with various upgrades for Emi.
Amazing Performance and Presentation
Visually, Yars Rising shines with its cyberpunk, anime-inspired aesthetic. The environments range from corporate office blocks to rainy cityscapes and underground labs, each beautifully rendered. The game’s soundtrack, featuring vocal performances by artists like Megan McDuffee (who previously worked on Atari’s Recharged series), complements the futuristic setting perfectly. A fun feature is the ability to see the artist’s name pop up whenever a new track plays.
Performance-wise, the game runs incredibly smoothly, even in handheld mode, which is impressive. It’s one of the best-performing games I’ve seen on the platform, maintaining a fluid frame rate throughout.
Conclusion: A Great Return of a Classic
Yars Rising is a fantastic action-adventure game that brings back the charm of the original while adding fresh, modern gameplay elements. WayForward’s signature style is evident throughout, from the humour and exploration to the engaging combat and clever hacking mini-games. While the stealth sections may not appeal to everyone, the overall experience is compelling, especially with its excellent performance and polished presentation. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Yars’ Revenge or new to the series, Yars Rising is well worth your time.
Final Verdict: I Like It a Lot
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