2.5D Metroidvania game Akatori will launch for PC via Steam on August 5, followed by PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on August 12, and Switch 2 in 2027, developer Contrast Games announced.
“Players have been asking when they can fully dive into Akatori, and we’re thrilled to share the dates finally,” said Contrast Games CEO Alex Kishchinskiy in a press release. “The team has poured years of care and consistency into crafting a Metroidvania that respects the genre and ensures movement and combat are tremendous. We can’t wait for players to experience the full adventure.”
Here is an overview of the game, via Contrast Games:
A Mythic Journey Fueled by Flow, Freedom, and Combat Mastery
In Akatori, players follow Mako, a young monk raised in the Firebird Temple, as she embarks on a journey through diverse realms to save them from the Amber Storms, a corrupting force infecting and distorting all living things. Accompanied by a mysterious red bird sealed within her staff, Mako must travel between interconnected worlds, face formidable foes, and uncover the truth behind the corruption threatening to consume everything. The narrative blends environmental storytelling with direct character encounters, weaving themes of growth, self-discovery, and resilience into both exploration and combat.
The narrative blends environmental storytelling with character-driven encounters, weaving themes of growth, resilience, and self-discovery directly into exploration and combat.
Movement, Combat, and Exploration: All Connected Through One Mystical Staff
At the core of Akatori is its signature staff: a versatile tool that 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—all while gliding, wall-hooking, sliding, and parkouring through highly vertical environments.
Enemy encounters unfold within living ecosystems, where creatures interact with each other, trigger traps, and respond dynamically to hazards, creating encounters that reward adaptability and observation.
Key Features
- Kung Fu Parkour – Momentum-driven traversal across vertical, complex environments designed for expressive movement.
- Movement-Driven Combat – Chain staff combos on the ground and in mid-air while staying in constant motion.
- Striking 2.5D Visuals – Pixel art characters set against fully 3D stylized environments.
- Staff-Centric Design – One mystical tool connects parkour, combat, and narrative progression.
- Diverse Myth-Inspired Biomes – Explore realms from medieval Asian landscapes to floating bamboo islands and otherworldly dimensions.
- Living Enemy Ecosystems – Enemies fight each other, trigger traps, and react to environmental hazards.
- Unconventional Boss Fights – Including underwater escapes, rhythm-based challenges, and multi-phase encounters.
- Memorable Soundtrack – Distinct musical themes for each location and boss encounter.
- A Metroidvania Made with Care – Built with respect for the genre’s legacy and a focus on consistency, polish, and player expression.