
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.
Modeled estimate, not a reported figure. How we estimate →
Discounts
Every price cut of more than 20% we have observed, in each market that quoted one, with this game's chart position on either side of it. These are episodes, not a model: a sale is one event, and one event cannot tell you what the next one will do.
Reviews, worldwide (the counter carries no country): 0/day in the week to Aug 22 → 0.57/day in the week after.
For scale, across Steam · Top Sellers · Brazil over the last 30 days: the 26 chart moves that followed a price cut of more than 20% went a median of 7 places towards #1, and the 2,400 moves with no price cut behind them went 2 away. One store, one chart, one country — it is the only place we have enough observations to say even that.
Prices outside the United States have been collected since 6 August 2026 and chart positions since 19 July 2026, so a cut older than that has no market to compare and a market that joined later has no history yet. Nothing here is converted between currencies.
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.

2D Platforming Action: Emi must jump, blast and sneak her way past waves of robotic and alien enemies. Her latent powers are revealed as the game progresses, granting her wild augments and biohacks that let her reach previously inaccessible areas. A sprawling, interconnected map allows for hours of exploration
Sci-Fi Intrigue: A seemingly bottomless mystery takes Emi from drab office buildings into hidden underground labs, and even to the farthest reaches of space as she uncovers the dark truth behind the QoTech corporation and discovers her own personal connection to an alien race.
Challenging Retro Minigames: A series of hacking minigames pay homage to the original Yars’ Revenge, which fans love for its top-down, quick twitch gameplay.
Stealth Traversal: Emi can’t always shoot or jump her way out of a jam – tense sections of stealth gameplay force her to duck into the shadows to hide from relentless security guards.
Classic WayForward Aesthetics: With fantastically rendered 3D environments and an ensemble of captivating characters, the WayForward team brings Emi’s story to life as only they can.
Play the OG: Discover the first game in the Yars franchise by playing WayForward’s modern take on the Yars’ Revenge, accessible right from the main menu.
Sums Steam only; PlayStation, Xbox, Epic, Nintendo publish no volume signal, so the true total is higher by an unknown amount.
| Store | Price | Audience | Score | Chart | Est. revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SteamYou are here | $29.99 | 259reviews | 81% | — | $157K |
| $11.99−60% | 158ratings | 83% | — | not modelled | |
Engagement
Reviews
Themes across 58 recent reviews and how positive each mention is. A keyword signal, not full sentiment analysis.
Reviews
Yars Rising, developed by WayForward and published by Atari, is a stylish sci-fi metroidvania that reimagines one of Atari’s oldest arcade franchises as a modern action-platforming adventure filled with exploration, hacking systems, stealth mechanics, and retro-inspired storytelling. Instead of simply recreating the original Yars’ Revenge formula with updated graphics, the game transforms the property into something entirely new while still preserving strong connections to its classic arcade roots. The result is an energetic and visually impressive experience that combines nostalgic ideas with contemporary game design in a surprisingly creative way. The story follows Emi Kimura, a talented hacker hired to infiltrate the massive QoTech corporation. What initially appears to be a simple espionage mission quickly develops into a larger conspiracy involving dangerous technology, hidden experiments, and mysterious connections tied to the Yars legacy. The cyberpunk-inspired setting blends futuristic corporations, advanced security systems, and retro science-fiction influences into a world that feels colorful and stylish without becoming overly complicated. While the narrative follows familiar genre themes involving corrupt corporations and hidden secrets, the strong presentation and fast pacing help keep the adventure consistently entertaining. One of the game’s strongest aspects is its visual presentation. WayForward’s signature animation quality is immediately noticeable through fluid character movement, expressive cutscenes, and vibrant futuristic environments. Laboratories, industrial complexes, digital systems, and hidden research facilities are all filled with bright neon colors and retro-inspired technology that constantly reinforce the game’s sci-fi identity. The visual style successfully balances nostalgia and modern design, making the world feel both classic and contemporary at the same time. Exploration forms the foundation of the gameplay experience. Like many metroidvanias, progression revolves around unlocking new abilities that gradually open previously inaccessible areas throughout the interconnected map. As Emi gains additional hacking tools, movement upgrades, and combat abilities, exploration becomes increasingly rewarding because players are encouraged to revisit older locations in search of hidden upgrades and secrets. The map design consistently rewards curiosity, and discovering new routes or hidden areas gives the progression a satisfying sense of momentum. Movement and traversal feel smooth throughout most of the adventure. Emi is agile and responsive to control, allowing players to chain jumps, dodges, wall movements, and platforming actions together naturally while navigating dangerous environments. The game steadily introduces new traversal abilities that expand movement options without overwhelming the player too quickly. This gradual increase in mobility helps exploration remain engaging throughout the campaign. Combat combines ranged attacks, environmental movement, and occasional stealth mechanics into a gameplay loop that stays entertaining even if it never reaches the complexity of the genre’s very best entries. Enemy encounters are fast-paced and visually energetic thanks to flashy attacks and responsive controls. Some sections encourage direct combat while others emphasize infiltration or careful positioning, helping the gameplay avoid becoming too repetitive during longer sessions. One of the most creative elements of Yars Rising is its hacking system. Instead of reducing hacking to menu interactions or simple puzzles, the game transforms many hacking sequences into retro arcade-style mini-games inspired by classic Atari titles. These sections act as both gameplay diversions and nostalgic tributes to the company’s history, giving the game a unique identity within the metroidvania genre. Several mini-games directly reference mechanics from older Atari releases, creating moments that feel playful and inventive rather than forced nostalgia. The soundtrack also deserves praise. Electronic music, energetic sci-fi themes, and atmospheric tracks help establish a strong retro-futuristic mood throughout the adventure. Several story moments are supported by more dramatic vocal tracks that give the game an almost anime-inspired energy during major narrative sequences. Combined with the colorful visuals, the audio design helps the world feel lively and memorable from beginning to end. Another enjoyable aspect of the game is its pacing. Yars Rising regularly alternates between exploration, platforming, hacking, combat, and stealth sections, ensuring the gameplay rarely feels stagnant. New mechanics and environmental challenges appear steadily enough to maintain interest while still keeping the overall structure accessible for players less experienced with metroidvanias. However, the game does have noticeable shortcomings. While the movement and exploration systems are enjoyable, some combat encounters eventually become repetitive once enemy patterns are fully understood. Certain areas also feel less complex than players might expect from a modern metroidvania, with platforming sections occasionally lacking the depth or challenge found in more refined genre competitors. The stealth mechanics are also somewhat inconsistent. Although they add variety to the gameplay loop, some infiltration sequences feel less polished than the exploration and action-focused sections. These moments occasionally interrupt the momentum established by the stronger platforming mechanics rather than enhancing them. The narrative, while entertaining, can also feel uneven at times. Some character interactions and story developments move too quickly, preventing certain emotional moments from having their full impact. The game introduces several interesting concepts involving corporate conspiracies and retro mythology, but not all of them receive equal development throughout the campaign. Difficulty balancing may also divide players. Some areas feel relatively forgiving while others suddenly increase enemy pressure or platforming demands. Although the game generally remains accessible, there are occasional moments where progression loses consistency due to uneven challenge design. Despite these flaws, Yars Rising succeeds because of its creativity, personality, and willingness to reinvent a classic property in an unexpected way. Rather than relying entirely on nostalgia, the game builds a modern action-adventure around the Yars concept while still honoring its arcade origins through hacking mini-games and retro-inspired design choices. The result is a metroidvania that feels energetic, stylish, and refreshingly different from many safer retro revivals. For fans of metroidvanias, action-platformers, and retro-inspired sci-fi adventures, Yars Rising delivers an entertaining and visually striking experience filled with exploration, hacking challenges, and nostalgic charm. While some mechanics lack the refinement needed to place it among the genre’s absolute best titles, its creativity, atmosphere, and strong presentation make it a memorable modern reinterpretation of a classic Atari franchise. Rating: 8/10
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Genres
Stats
All-time low is the lowest price we've recorded for this game since we started tracking it.
Languages: English*, French, Italian, German, Spanish - Spain, Japanese*languages with full audio support
| $10.49−65% |
| 36ratings |
| 88% |
| — |
| not modelled |
| $29.99 | — | 67%* | — | not modelled |
| $29.99 | — | — | — | not modelled |
Matched by title — a reused name can pair the wrong games. * is a critic aggregate. Prices and positions are each store's United States storefront; Epic charts worldwide. Audience and Score too, except Steam's, which is worldwide.
Hours played at review time, across 58 reviews with recorded playtime.
positive critical· bar length = how often the theme comes up
i went into playing this game not expecting it to be good at all and ended up getting hooked. played it none stop and later realized i beat the game. there's so much i still haven't done so will do another round. i doubt i could do a speed run, but hot damn i really enjoyed this!
Un simpatico giochino, del resto la Wayforward è abbastanza una garanzia finché non si arrischiano con gli ambienti 3D. Non posso tuttavia dargli più della sufficienza per una serie di motivi. Prima di tutto, vi sono continui caricamenti da una microzona all'altra, lo scorrimento fluido è concesso in poche zone ed è francamente ridicolo vista la povertà tecnica. I dialoghi hanno un umorismo da fumetto marvelliano, cioè da dover fare la battuta a tutti i costi, il che può dare fastidio e non si addice particolarmente alla clientela che può essere interessata al titolo, per quanto, pur vedendo in giro indie con quello stile primitivo, da tardo possessore di un Atari 2600, mi risulta difficile immaginare veri nostalgici di quella console. Terzo punto, il level design è tutto sommato decente come progettazione, ma non particolarmente creativo ed artisticamente risulta ancor più piatto e rindondante. Ultimo, i movimenti sono funzionali ma non il top, la velocità richiesta da certe azioni non corrisponde ad un'adeguata calibrazione di certi laser o di insetti svolazzanti. Intendiamoci, un po' di rigidità non è un problema, ma essere portato a ignorare di prendere danni non è bellissimo in un genere che dovrebbe fare del gameplay il suo forte. Ho letto di gente che si lamenta del dover spendere una risorsa per il salto in alto, ma non lo comprendo, non è un'azione particolarmente necessaria e la raccolta dell'energia si fa facilmente. Portarne appresso una quindicina sarà piuttosto spontaneo e se non vorrai bruciare male troppi spari potenziati per sbrigarti difficilmente rimarrai a secco. Comprenderei di più la critica sul comando per azionare quel salto o della limitatezza "dell'albero abilità", in cui dovremo appiccicare alcuni tetramini ottenuti come ricompensa per i nostri infiltramenti nella rete aziendale. Rimaneggiandoli, potremo ad esempio estendere il salto in alto e poi rimettere al suo posto un velocizzatore dello sparo base... slot e forma permettendo. Può risultare un po' castrante, ma alla fine con un minimo di buon senso danni e vita sono sempre sufficienti ad andare avanti o riprovare alcune sfide hacker. Per dire, probabilmente arriverete con 200 cuori dal boss, perché pur potendo aumentare la vita dovrete bilanciare con la vostra potenza. Ovviamente questi potenziamenti coinvolgono anche il corrispettivo della vostra navicella infiltrante, che potrà guadagnare una sorta di momentanea intangibilità o un triplo sparo o una maggiore capacità di rosicchiare rapidamente le barriere. Un piccolo albero conteso per due approcci ludici insomma. Per chi non ha pazienza o è troppo schiappa si potrà poi eventualmente avere una invincibilità per superare l'ostacolo dei computer, ma è tutto superabile con un pizzico di caparbietà. Il punto che dovete tenere a mente prima di comprare il gioco è che Yar non punta tutto sull'azione, Wayforward si è presa carico dell'eredità di un arcade pixel del 1981, ed è su quello che si è concentrata di più, tramite appunto la violazione dei sistemi che ripercorrono pedissequamente quel periodo e quel titolo. Sezioni estremamente numerose che quasi sempre necessiteranno di più tentativi e che quindi bloccheranno spesso il vostro esplorare, diventando potenzialmente tediosi. Se odiate il genere è meglio che evitiate proprio il gioco, o approfittiate del bundle scontato con Arzette. Se non lo odiate allora armatevi di pazienza perché sarà necessaria. Da un lato la fase hacker è stato senza dubbio un uso intelligente per rendere omaggio all'ip originale, e come sistema di forzatura gli da un sapore non banale, tuttavia il fatto che il vostro attacco più potente, a volte unico, parta dalla schiena, sia piuttosto rapido e possa uccidere anche voi, sarà perennemente controintuitivo per tutta la partita, e causa tempo limitato e "missili" a ricerca che vi inseguono finirete per fallire il più delle volte con le vostre stesse mani e sarà frustrante. E' un buon passatempo e la protagonista è abbastanza simpatica, ma c'è del potenziale sprecato. Anche comprendendo la natura economica del progetto, bisognava ottimizzare un pochino il tutto.
baita jogo. Muito legal de acompanhar historia. Em especial os minigames e a trilha sonora são OTIMOS.
La verdad que se me hizo bastante aburrido y cuadrado. Por un lado la dificultad es extremadamente fácil, supongo que cuando se pase el juego se destrabará un modo difícil, pero si estuviera la opción desde el principio sería mejor. La exploración es re básica y simplona, desde los enemigos hasta el diseño de niveles. Y es que, aunque sea un juego me gusta que las cosas tengan un poco más de sentido, bah, de eso se trata el diseño de niveles, en el aspecto que te presenta el juego, el ser un título de sigilo se queda bastante corto, solo con los solados debés cuidarte y estos solo caminan de izquierda a derecha, muchas veces, en habitaciones cerradas... ¿Qué mierda están vigilando? son re aburridos, porque encima si te descubren son fáciles de evitar, no hay ningún peligro extra. Tenés el Metroid Fusion por ejemplo, que si la Samus X te descubre te empieza a perseguir por todos lados y te hace cagar en las patas. Pero acá te fuiste fuera de su alcance y ya está. Hay una parte de la historia que te capturan y te meten en una sala de reclusión, en esa misma habitación hay un ducto de ventilación re a mano y un robot de vigilancia que está de adorno. Llegás a una terminal de hackeo mágica a travez de ese conducto y te da el poder de disparar para luego destruir el robot y escapar... ponele voluntad hermano, ¿Qué mierda hacía esa terminal ahí? Tendría más sentido que esa terminal estuviera en otro lado, que la hayas conseguido justo antes de que te capturaran y que luego te encierren sin saber que podías hacer eso para escaparte. No hay que pensarlo mucho, cualquiera que sepa escribir se puede dar cuenta, lo cual me da bronca de cara al diseño, argumento, etc. Ah, y encima el jefe que enfrento también una boludez, tan fácil de ganarle... La música esta buena y varios de los diseños de personaje también, además de tener bastante onda la presentación. Pero fuera de eso, el resto no me gustó.
Jeux très basique et linéaire
Apparently based on some old Atari game I'd never heard of, but very much a standard modern metroid-like that starts out a bit slow but does eventually go places and has some cool music and comic book-style cutscenes. Having to play the original Atari game as a hacking mini-game is pretty clever and the Tetris-inspired upgrade system is cool too, although it would've been nice if there had been more patterns/boards. The biggest problem is the writing and the constant, incessant quips by the annoying protagonist, who is trying way too hard to be funny and irreverent and not succeeding. It won't blow your mind or anything, but it's a decent Metroid-like!
Fun to play and challenging
Surprisingly this is probably one of Wayforward's better and more accessible games. It's not exactly difficult, not completely baby-vania. I had more fun with the game than I expected. It has toned down Shantae vibes... instead of animated bouncing boobs, the main character has her midsection exposed and extreme curves up until the end where she gets a skin tight outfit. If you die, the game saves your progress, and kicks you back to your last save spot. It's not completely transparent that's what it does. The hacking mini games are pretty interesting, and tie in the YARS IP excellently. I have two complaints. First, the double jumping requiring special move energy is kind of dumb. It's not game ending, but it wastes more time than anything. Second, the hacking mini game VS the boss at the end needs to be cleaned up. If you die (and you probably will die a lot), you'll get kicked back to the save point right next to the fight. Luckily you can skip the conversation and get straight to the VS match. However, once in the match, each character repeats the same dialog for every point they score. And you need five points. So you're going to hear each character say the same irrelevant banter back and fourth every single time you reply this section. I was at the verge of rage quitting and never coming back to the game being driven to madness hearing the same stupid lines over and over and over again. Seriously Wayforward, you should patch this section. If you die, let the player replay instantly, and shut both characters up after they've said each line once throughout all the matches. If this game was a tiny bit worse, and I came to this section, I'd give it a negative review. Look at what Ladybug does with Record of Lodoss War's bosses... you talk to them before the fight, and if you die, the next time you fight them there's no conversation at all. That's next level game design. What you have done with this last section is lazy, amateur hour game coding. I bet you there's a lot of gamers who rage quit the entire game forever not because that section is difficult, but because you've made it annoying. Other than that fumble, this game is worth checking out for any hardcore Metroidvania fan.
Что бы сбить с босса щит нужно чуть ли не под ним находиться...
Players by region
Where this game's players are, estimated from review languages.
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