Highlights
- Yars Rising brings back the beloved Atari franchise with modern gameplay and a sci-fi twist.
- Fans of retro games like Tetris might enjoy the addictive and repetitive gameplay of Yars.
- WayForward's Yars Rising introduces Emi Kimura as a hacker infiltrating Qotech Corporation in a sci-fi mystery story.
The popular Atari franchise Yars is making a comeback with Yars Rising. The original Yars Revenge is an iconic game from 1982. The game was developed by Howard Scott Warshaw, known for his work on Atari 2600 adaptations of Raiders of the Lost Ark and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, both notable releases in the system's catalog. Yars initially was met with lukewarm reception, but fans have pushed the game into cult-classic status.
Prior to the newest installment, the series returned in 2022 with Yars Recharged. In the classic Yars games, players control the Yar, an insect-like creature capable of shooting through barriers with the end goal of blowing up canons at the centers of areas and stages, clearing out cluttered environments. The Yars can nibble on blocks for energy that they use to keep on shooting through stages. Similar to other retro games like Tetris, the gameplay tends to stick to a repetitive but addictive format that some players describe as trance-like.
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In collaboration with Atari, WayForward is developing Yars Rising, releasing in late 2024 for PC and consoles. Fans of WayForward's games are excited to see the news since the developer has built a reputation for bringing back older franchises with a modern flare. This treatment extends to the company's own properties, as WayForward recently brought back an unreleased Shantae game. In the case of Yars Rising, a new aesthetic and style of gameplay will both be introduced as players control Emi Kimura, a hacker paid to infiltrate the Qotech corporation, which itself is a reference to the Qotile, from previous entries.
Yars Rising Announcement Trailer
Yars Rising's announcement trailer hints at the sci-fi mystery story that Emi will unravel as she makes her way through the Qotech Corporation's facilities and fights off enemies. Where players would control the insect more directly in older versions of the game, the trailer seems to point towards Emi having some sort of synergy with a Yar, taking its powers on for herself. Current information points to Emi using her hacking abilities to facilitate this synergy by biohacking to take on new powers. The described gameplay sounds similar to some of the best sci-fi Metroidvania games.
Atari fans who are excited to see Yars make a return may want to pay attention to other moves the company is making. Recently, Atari purchased the rights to the Rollercoaster Tycoon series, stating a dedication to further expanding the franchise. If Yars manages to meet fan expectations, Atari may consider bringing back other hits in the same way.
Steam
Steam is a digital video game storefront and program developed by Valve that allows gamers to purchase, play, and mod their titles all through one convenient program.
- Brand
- Valve
- Original Release Date
- September 12, 2003
