Yars Rising: Everything We Know

2024 is shaping up to be a monumental year for Atari. The arcade game company that brought us beloved titles like Pong and Pac-Man is going the extra mile to reimagine its classic titles for modern consoles. With NeoSprint geared for launch this summer, the studio unveiled another gem from its archives, Yars Rising. This upcoming release aims to reimagine Yars Revenge, the best-selling first-party game for the Atari 2600. The new title will feature elements from the franchise, infusing it with a contemporary twist. Curious to learn more? Stay tuned as we delve deeper into Yars Rising—Everything We Know.

What is Yars Rising?

Yars Rising is an upcoming 2D action adventure in Metroidvania. The game gives a fresh perspective to the classic Atari title, Yars Revenge. Notably, this title is described as a sequel to the original, but not a direct one. 

Moreover, this isn't the only sequel to the franchise that Atari has launched. In 2011, the arcade company gave the original title a modern reboot, which unfortunately garnered poor reviews. In 2022, the company returned to the drawing board, releasing Yars: Recharged, which had a better reception. Despite being a sequel, Yars Rising is a complete reimagination of the franchise. However, it will retain some elements, giving the title appeal to old fans and newcomers alike.

Story

Yars Rising plunges players into the thrilling escapades of Emi Kumura, a young hacker with a knack for adventure. When a shadowy figure enlists Emi to infiltrate the enigmatic Qotech corporation, she eagerly accepts the challenge. 

As Emi progresses, so do her abilities, unlocking access to previously unreachable areas within the game world. However, there's more to Qotech than meets the eye. Emi soon uncovers layers of intrigue lurking beneath the corporation's surface, unveiling a captivating sci-fi mystery waiting to be unravelled. 

Furthermore, it seems the new title will focus more on storytelling, with the developers hinting at the game's ‘expansive sci-fi mystery.' It's unclear whether the storyline will tie to the original title. However, we do know that it will involve aliens drawn from Yars Revenge. 

Gameplay

Stepping into Emi's shoes, players will embrace the platforming gameplay with plenty of jumping, running, sneaking, and hacking. This will be a stark departure from other Atari games, and the upcoming title will incorporate combat and stealth elements. 

Moreover, Yars Rising will also feature minigames that draw inspiration from retro Atari games. Ideally, the game will feature gameplay elements from the 1982 title. 

Here's a full rundown of all the features:

• 2D Platforming Action: Emi must jump, blast, and sneak past waves of robotic and alien enemies. Her latent powers are revealed as the game progresses, granting her wild augments and biohacks that let her reach previously inaccessible areas. A sprawling, interconnected map allows for hours of exploration.
• Sci-fi Intrigue: A seemingly bottomless mystery takes Emi from drab office buildings into hidden underground labs and even to the farthest reaches of space as she uncovers the dark truth behind the QoTech corporation and discovers her own personal connection to an alien race.
• Challenging Retro Minigames: A series of hacking minigames pays homage to the original Yars' Revenge, which fans love for its top-down, quick-twitch gameplay.
• Stealth Traversal: Emi can't always shoot or jump her way out of a jam – tense sections of stealth gameplay force her to duck into the shadows to hide from relentless security guards.
• Classic WayForward Aesthetics: With fantastically rendered 3D environments and an ensemble of captivating characters, the WayForward team brings Emi's story to life as only they can.
• Play the OG: Discover the first game in the Yars franchise by playing WayForward's modern take on Yars' Revenge, accessible right from the main menu.

Development

WayForward and Atari are teaming up to develop this upcoming title. WayForward is a renowned studio known for its prowess in retro-side scrollers. The studio is also behind the iconic Shantae, Rivery City Girls, and Advance Wars 1+2: Reboot Camp titles. 

According to Atari, WayForward was the right fit for reimagining the classic franchise. “WayForward's proven storytelling and world-building powers made them a perfect choice for reimagining one of Atari's most enduring game franchises. I am confident that fans are going to enjoy this new, dynamic chapter in the Yars storyline: Yars Rising.” said Wade Rosen, Atari's CEO and chairman. Besides their storytelling prowess, Atari is also leveraging WayForward Studio's “distinct style of anime art and retro game mechanics.”

Moreover, it's evident why Atari chose to remake the classic franchise. Yars Revenge is one of the studio’s best-selling original games on the Atari 2600. The title sold 30 million copies following its launch. 

Trailer

If you're wondering if the game has a trailer, it does. Atari unveiled the title during Nintendo's Indie World Showcase, where the trailer gave us a glimpse of the gameplay. The 1-minute, 22-second video is narrated by Emi, who describes herself as a hacker for hire who yarrs, sorry, yearns for a bit more. 

She delves into the storyline, revealing her latest gig: hacking the major conglomerate QoTech. The trailer also shows her movement tactics: jumping, dashing, and stealth. She also appears to be firing projectiles from her hand, which could hint at the abilities she unlocks later in the game. Beyond this, the game's visual art is stunning, a vivid highlight of WayForward Studio's imprint.

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

Yars Rising will launch in late 2024. The developers have yet to release a concrete date. However, we can confirm that the game will exclusively launch on PC (through Steam), Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. 

Additionally, we don't have information on the editions to expect. So many details remain scarce at the moment. However, you can always follow the official social media handle here to keep track of new updates. Meanwhile, we'll watch out for new information and let you know as soon as they come up.

So, what's your take? Will you pick up a copy of Yars Rising when it drops? Let us know over on our socials here.