Contrast Games revealed official launch dates for its anticipated 2.5D metroidvania Akatori. It's going to be available on various platforms.
For the PC, the game is set to be launched via Steam on August 5. Meanwhile, the console version of Akatori is releasing on August 12 for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and the Xbox Series X/S. A version for the Nintendo Switch 2 is currently in the works and planned to come out in 2027.
In a statement, Contrast Games CEO Alex Kishchinskiy revealed that a lot of players have been asking when the game comes and they're now finally able to give the dates. He added that the development team made sure that this metroidvania is one that not only respects the genre but also makes sure that "movement and combat are tremendous."
A Mythic Journey
Akatori has players follow a young monk named Mako. She's been raised in the Firebird Temple and now begins her journey across the diverse realms. This is to save everyone from what's known as the Amber Storms, a corruption force that has been infecting, as well as distorting, all living things. Accompanying her is a mysterious red bird that's been sealed within her staff.
In traveling between the interconnected worlds, Mako faces off against formidable enemies and ultimately uncover the truth behind the corruption threatening to consume everything.
One of the key features that make the game interesting is that the narrative offers environmental storytelling and combines it with character-driven encounters. It weaves together themes of growth, resilience, and self-discovery, directly not just exploration but even combat.
One Mystical Staff
The core feature of Akatori though is the signature staff. This versatile tool acts as a weapon, traversal device, and key to the world’s secrets. Players chain ground and aerial combos, launch the staff as a projectile, and pull it back mid-motion. They can do all these while gliding, wall-hooking, sliding, and doing parkour through highly vertical environments.
Enemy encounters meanwhile unfold within living ecosystems. It's one where creatures interact with each other, trigger traps, and respond dynamically to hazards. As such, it allows for encounters that reward adaptability and observation.
Are you ready for what Akatori has to offer?
