Initial release date: September 10, 2024
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S
Developer:Â WayForward
Genres: Platform game, Adventure game, Shooter game, Adventure
Publishers: Atari, Inc., Atari, Atari Interactive
WayForward’s Yars Rising is not what you might anticipate. Sure, Howard Scott Warshaw’s legendary Atari 2600 title plays an important role, with variations on the famous Yars-Qotile battle recreated into a hacking minigame. However, for the duration of the game’s eight hours, expect a story-driven metroidvania that appears to be geared for younger players.
You play as Emi “Yar” Kimura, a QoTech Corporation employee. She’s been hired by a hacktivist group to penetrate the firm system and check for signs of misbehavior. However, her after-hours breach is immediately discovered, prompting a journey through the labyrinthine halls of their futuristic headquarters. Recognizing an intruder, an army of protective machinery and a pair of power-hungry villains try to stop Emi.
A Cast of Archetypes
Although the individual talks between Emi and her handler team of hacker friends are brief, they occur frequently. It’s clear that Yars Rising’s writers tried to inject personality into the proceedings, as your associates guide you to the next waypoint.
However, the tropey sidekicks give an endless interchange of jokes, which will likely tire anyone old enough to remember the taciturnity of the original Yars’ Revenge. However, I expect that younger players will be more forgiving. They may also welcome help, such as an invincibility mode for mini-games. As for me, I appreciated an unexpectedly stunning soundtrack and voice acting that accurately pronounced “Kimura”.
Corporate Drones
Given some of the design decisions in Yars Rising, the game appears to be intended toward players who may be unfamiliar with the sub-genre. Opposition comes in the form of automated opponents with minimal awareness or intelligence. Worse, they are slow to respond, making it far too simple to blow your way through the game’s corporate hallways.
Some enemies are resistant, forcing Emi to rely on stealth techniques such as hiding in shadows or hanging out of sight on a cliff. As expected, there is some gatekeeping, with new talents providing access to previously unmapped locations. And, while Rising contains all of the necessary components, its metroidvania dish is dull. There’s just enough sustenance to keep you going, but aside from several boss encounters, Rising’s main game is underwhelming. It occasionally flirts with creativity by picturing intelligent filing drawers as enemies. Enemies are frequently basic, dull robots, however.
Yar’s redemption?
Color-coded computer terminals are scattered throughout the game’s locations, offering to unlock locked doors or give Emi with new benefits. However, these devices must be hacked before players may access Yars’ source material. Here, you’ll see the same 42-year-old take on shield shooting and nibbling as you face one of gaming’s earliest bosses. However, WayForward cleverly alternates the timed mini-games with variations that pay homage to classics such as Space Invaders, Centipede, and Missile Command.
These divergences are so compelling that you wish the developers had remained with Yars’ original plan. After all, there are surely already enough of mediocre metroidvanias out there. But if you’re up for more, Yars Rising’s mini-games almost make it all worthwhile.
Yars Rising was played on PC using a review code provided by the publisher.
Review Overview
Gameplay: 77%
Controls: 75%
Aesthetics: 80%
Content: 72%
Accessibility: 78%
Value: 74%
Overall: 76%
GOOD
Summary: “Yars Rising” delivers a nostalgic experience with a modern twist, bringing back the arcade-style action with updated mechanics. The gameplay is fun but doesn’t stray too far from its roots, keeping things simple yet engaging. The controls are responsive, though they can feel a bit stiff at times. Visually, the game impresses with vibrant colors and a polished look, making it stand out from other retro reboots. While the content is enjoyable, it lacks depth, which might limit long-term replayability. Overall, “Yars Rising” is a good pick for fans of classic arcade shooters with a refreshed style.