A combination of kung fu parkour and a mythology-inspired worldview.
Free trial available during Steam Next Fest (February 23rd – March 2nd)
Almaty -based indie developer Contrast Games has released a playable demo and new gameplay footage for its 2D Metroidvania game , Akatori . The game features a unique system that weaves together combat, exploration, and traversal, all centered around a mystical staff. The demo will be free to play throughout Steam Next Fest 2026 (February 23rd – March 2nd).
Mako, the girl who solves everything with a cane
Gamers take control of Mako, a young monk raised in the Firebird Temple. When his homeland is threatened by the Amber Storms, a corrupting aura that consumes the world and mutates all living things, Mako embarks on a journey across time and dimensions to stop it.
Mako’s staff, containing a mysterious red bird, goes beyond mere setting and adds narrative depth throughout the journey. Akatori’s story unfolds through environmental design and character dialogue rather than direct exposition, naturally unfolding themes of growth, self-discovery, and resilience in the face of adversity.
A staff that serves as a weapon, a means of transportation, and a key.
Akatori’s most distinctive feature is its design, with combat and movement centered around the staff. Combat involves rhythmic actions, including continuous combos that cross the ground and air, as well as staff throws and return attacks.
Movement is also inseparable from combat. Using the staff to glide or climb walls, and utilizing the terrain to glide and maintain speed and direction are key elements. These terrain-based movement actions, combined with the vertically designed map structure, encourage players to utilize the space three-dimensionally. Furthermore, various movement abilities, such as air dashes, double jumps, wall-climbing, and swimming, are gradually unlocked, broadening the scope of exploration.
Enemies aren’t just simple targets of attack. They react to the environment, fighting each other or activating traps, acting like a living ecosystem. Unconventional combat sequences, such as underwater escapes and rhythm-based boss battles, rarely seen in traditional Metroidvanias, also add to the game’s diverse enjoyment.
A 45-minute demo, featuring three regions.
The demo is approximately 45 minutes long and takes you through three distinct areas: the lush “Monk Forest” where you’ll learn the basic controls and movement; the vertical “Monk Forest” where you’ll actively utilize the terrain by climbing up and down flexible bamboo terrain; and the “Underwater Location” where breath gauge management is key.
Gamers will battle over ten types of enemies, navigate chaotic arenas, and experience a chase scene where they’re chased by a giant snake. The demo concludes with a battle with the boss, Bumblebee. The game supports both controllers and keyboards and is available in five languages: English, German, Russian, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese.
Combining 2D pixel art and 3D backgrounds is a challenging task.
Akatori also differentiates itself visually by adopting a 2.5D approach, placing 2D pixel art characters on 3D backgrounds. From medieval Asian-inspired landscapes to submerged underground mines, floating bamboo islands, and chaotic otherworldly realms, each region is a self-contained world with a completely different atmosphere and ecology.
“Just because it’s a pixel art Metroidvania doesn’t mean it’s easy to develop,” said art director Stanislav. “Combining 2D and 3D elements and expressing it with cutting-edge technology was a challenge in itself.”
Game director Serge said the biggest challenge was tying the disparate worlds together. “The goal was to weave together worlds that each have their own unique atmosphere, mechanics, and gameplay flow,” he said. “We wanted each area to offer a unique experience, yet still feel like a cohesive story.”
User response was generally positive, with “the indie genre’s unique experimental nature standing out.”
Since the demo’s release, user response has been generally positive. Gamers have praised the way Akatori’s combat and movement flow seamlessly, and many have found the game’s rapid movement and rhythmic action, which utilize the terrain, to be engaging.
The visual style, which combines pixel characters and 3D backgrounds, is receiving positive feedback, with comments such as “it has a distinct personality” and “it stands out as an experimental indie game.” However, some users have expressed their desire for adjustments to the difficulty level and a more in-depth explanation, suggesting room for improvement in the official version.
A Kazakhstani indie studio’s pursuit of experimental narratives
Contrast Games , the Kazakhstan- based indie studio behind Akatori , specializes in narrative-driven experimental games, short-form titles, and educational and applied games. While small, the team is comprised of experienced senior talent, with extensive experience across a wide range of projects, from in-house development to console ports and publishing partnerships.
Akatori is a Metroidvania game that combines terrain-based movement, rhythmic action, and a mythical worldview, attracting attention. This game, which stands out for its Central Asian developer’s unique sensibility and ambitious design, is considered a prime example of the new possibilities for Kazakhstani indie games. The demo is available for free during Steam Next Fest.
Steam Store Page:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1442520/Akatori/
