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Yars Rising

WayForward · Sep 10, 2024

PC · PS5 · Series X|S · PS4 · Xbox One · Switch

Everyone

About

From the renowned development studio WayForward Technologies, Inc. (Shantae, River City Girls, Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp) comes Yars Rising, a 2D action adventure exploration of one of Atari’s richest, and best known classic titles. In WayForward’s experienced hands, the Yars franchise becomes an expansive mystery solved through 2D platforming action. Take control of the young hacker Emi Kimura, who is hired by a mysterious patron to infiltrate the shadowy QoTech corporation. Run, jump, sneak, and hack your way through challenges as you slowly unravel a complex secret shrouded in intrigue. Emi grows in power throughout her adventure, allowing her to retrace her steps and reach previously inaccessible and secret areas. Her evolving hacking skills are critical to solving stimulating minigames that reference the innovative gameplay from the Atari 2600 title Yars’ Revenge. The deeper into the QoTech facilities Emi ventures, the more expansive the sci-fi mystery becomes. A colorful cast of hacker allies help Emi discover her connection to a distant alien race and unlock powers unlike anything she could have imagined. Yars Rising celebrates the Yars franchise in WayForward’s distinct style of anime art, humor, retro game mechanics and storytelling virtuosity.

Trailers & screenshots

Scores by platform

PC

Critic 6.6 (9 critics) · Gamer 8.2

7.4

PlayStation 5

Critic 7.4 (6 critics) · Gamer 8.5

Xbox Series X|S

Critic 7.0 (4 critics) · No ratings yet

PlayStation 4

No critic reviews yet · Gamer 8.5

Xbox One

No critic reviews yet · No ratings yet

Nintendo Switch

Critic 7.6 (9 critics) · No ratings yet

Critic reviews

  • Xbox Tavern

    Corey Lyle · Sep 22, 2024

    6.9
    If there is one thing I love almost as much as sequels, it’s spiritual successors. Especially if those spiritual successors have turned into a metroidvania. Listen, I had a decent time with Yars Rising but in the end, it has been a bit forgettable. Little things like waiting for loading screens, having to rewatch animations and dialog due to dying, and just okay platforming have soured me just a bit hence my score. I honestly started the game higher than when I ended. I think there is something here however and would absolutely play a sequel to this game if one comes along. Metroidvania enthusiasts should give it a go if they are looking for shorter experience to add to their gamer résumé.
  • Gaming Bolt

    Matthew Carmosino · Sep 19, 2024

    8.0
    Yars Rising creatively blends retro Atari gameplay with platforming. I love the way the game controls and plays, and the artful presentation is brimming with color and life, but its persistent load screens and a lack of fast travel are annoying.
  • Pure Nintendo

    Jemma Casson · Sep 16, 2024

    8.5
    Yars Rising is a terrific platformer. It features satisfying puzzles, shooting elements, a fast-paced and humorus story, along with a clever integration of a classic Atari game. Apart from some annoying loading screens, this is absolutely a game worth checking out.
  • Siliconera

    Jenni Lada · Sep 16, 2024

    8.0
    I appreciate what WayForward did with Yars Rising, as it incorporates the source material in some cool ways while doing something entirely new. It’s a solid Metroidvania, and bringing in Yars’ Revenge gameplay for hacking can be entertaining. I just feel that even with the unusual approach to hacking, some design elements and decisions feel a bit bland. It’s enjoyable, but I’m not entirely sure it’s very memorable.
  • Gaming Nexus

    Joseph Moorer · Sep 12, 2024

    8.0
    Yars: Rising is an ambitious spiritual sequel to Yars' Revenge, and will give you a challenge; Wayforward and Atari worked their magic all through this one. Not so much in enemy variation, but Emi keeps the combat exciting and fun, and the hacks are that old Atari 2600 difficulty. Samus and Megaman would be proud. You will be too.

See all critic reviews

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