CALX launches June 4 for PC, later in 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series, and Switch [Update: Delayed to October 8]
Isolation and discovery on a distant, alien planet.
Atmospheric action adventure game CALX, formerly XTAL, will launch for PC via Steam and Epic Games Store on June 4, followed by PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and Switch later in 2026, publisher Dear Villagers and developer True Colors announced. A demo is currently available for PC.
Update 05/28/26: Dear Villagers and True Colors have delayed CALX from June 4 to October 8, stating that it needs “more time to reach the quality we expect and you deserve.”
“Our intent while creating CALX was to fully immerse players in a distant, alien planet,” said game and narrative designer Gabriele Ferreccio in a press release. “We wanted to recapture that feeling of isolation and discovery that we felt with games like Metroid and Hyper Light Drifter. This can only be possible if every part of the game works towards the same goal: harmony through gameplay, art and music. We hope players will find their journey to Syro worthwhile.”
Here is an overview of the game, via its Steam page:
About
CALX is an atmospheric 3D action adventure inspired by visionary science-fiction art. Explore planet Syro—vast landscapes filled with crystal structures and ancient technology. Find out what the WARP did to the Quoths civilization. The environment guides you, revealing secrets through exploration.
The game moves between stillness and frenzy. Silent moments give way to frantic fights in a rhythm like waves—contemplation, then action, then back again. Art and music work in tandem. The mesmerizing visuals shape the soundscape, and the music breathes life back into the art.
You are alone on Syro, but not lonely. A speck of dust in a vast, mysterious world. There’s a quiet melancholy to wandering these forgotten places.
Movement Opens the World
Movement is your main tool. Double jump, air dash, levitate, and use a grappling hook to reach new areas. The world is interconnected. It opens as you gain new abilities. Rediscover hidden paths through revisiting old areas.
The world tells its story as you explore. Secrets are concealed in ruins. Puzzles emerge as you investigate. The environment reveals the past events.
Contemplative, With Meaningful Combat
Your companion AFX travels with you and grows stronger as you progress. Combat mixes melee attacks and ranged shots. Perfect your ‘dodge’ timing to gain tactical advantages in fights.
You’ll collect upgrades throughout your journey. These enhance your combat and movement skills. Find new weapons in the ruins. Each one changes how you approach fights.
Fights test how well you move, not just how fast you attack. Combat areas work like movement puzzles. Your mobility matters as much as your weapons.
Different Zones, Different Moods
Each area has its own feel. Some are quiet and still, while others pulse with strange energy. The game values calm moments as much as action.
You upgrade by finding pieces of old technology. These upgrades change how you move through the world. Choose freely which areas to explore next
CALX is about 10 to 15 hours long. Reminiscent of classic action adventure games.
Key Features
- Atmospheric Exploration on Planet Syro – Vast landscapes filled with crystal structures and ancient tech shaped by visionary science-fiction art.
- Movement as Your Main Tool – Double jump, aerial dash, levitate, and grappling hook mechanics that open new paths as you progress.
- Contemplative Pacing – A game that values stillness and observation as much as action.
- Interconnected World Design – Gain new abilities to unlock hidden areas and discover secrets in places you’ve already visited.
- Combat Meets Mobility – Blend melee strikes with AFX’s ranged shots. Perfect dodges for tactical advantages.
- Environmental Storytelling – The ruins and landscape reveal what happened, with minimal dialogue and maximum atmosphere.
- Meaningful Upgrades – Collect remnants of ancient technology to enhance both combat and movement abilities.
- Art and Music in Tandem – Mesmerizing visuals shape the soundscape; music breathes life back into the art.
Watch a new trailer below.