Developed by Cryorbis Studio and slated for release in June 2026, Lirai: Heir of Darkness tells the story of a knight fighting to save humanity in a post-apocalyptic world. More than just action, the game explores a dark fantasy world set in third-person perspective, combining emotional depth, brutal combat, and a beautifully eerie atmosphere on the brink of destruction.
The adventures of Brian, the fallen knight who emerged as humanity’s last defender on the brink of extinction.
The game begins in a post-apocalyptic world where the sky has turned black and demonic rifts have torn the earth apart. Players assume the role of a knight named Brian, as zombies, demons, giant monsters, and hardy human survivors fight for dominance in this post-apocalyptic world.
Brian is one of humanity’s last defenders, navigating a post-apocalyptic world shattered by decay, corruption, and conflict. His arduous journey is defined not by traditional heroism, but by a struggle against inner corruption as he navigates a collapsing, hostile world. It is portrayed not as a simple fight for survival, but as a struggle for purpose, identity, and redemption.
Textured battles and a unique transformation system
Third-person combat, focusing on timing, positioning, and adaptability, is the core of the game. Combat isn’t simply a series of button mashing, but rather a strategically driven experience that relies on a variety of factors, including timing, positioning, and adapting to enemy actions.
A particularly noteworthy element is the combat transformation system. The game offers multiple transformation forms, each with unique abilities and appearances, each offering different gameplay mechanics, strategies, and playstyles. As Brian continues to battle, unknown powers awaken, unlocking his ability to change his combat style.
The combat encounters are diverse. You’ll face dark cult enemies, zombies, grotesque creatures, and terrifying bosses, each requiring intense, combo-based melee combat, evasion, and other action mechanics.
Exploration is just as important as combat. Each level requires players to solve complex puzzles, uncover hidden secrets, and solve riddles that unfold alongside the story. The game is heavily influenced by dark fantasy and horror, and seems to focus on conveying a dark history of irredeemable darkness through storytelling and atmosphere.
An emotional narrative set against the backdrop of a dark world
“Lirai: Heir of Darkness” combines brutal action with a deep emotional arc. The narrative focuses on the complex relationships between characters and the story that leads to apocalyptic chaos.
One critic at Comic Fiesta 2025 praised the story, saying it “doesn’t shy away from exploring the grief and loss of a loved one.” The development team emphasized that they aimed to deliver deep emotional moments for players, alongside dark action, as they uncover the truth about the world’s destruction.
An ambitious project born from experimentation, a game we pursue together with users.
Cryorbis Studio’s journey is a unique one. The team started out as a private project, created as a sandbox to learn Unreal Engine and test basic game mechanics, with no intention of ever making it public.
The development team reflects on this initial experimental project as being both chaotic and challenging, yet incredibly valuable. They experimented with several experimental environments, including simple movement systems and enemy interactions, and learned from numerous mistakes and how to deal with them. The team reflects that without these experiences, “Lirai: Heir of Darkness” would not have been possible.
The team then entered Lirai: Heir of Darkness into Comic Fiesta 2025 through MDEC (Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation), where it was selected as one of the top six games among participating developers. The development team emphasizes that they hope gamers will be a part of their journey, and they are actively engaging in conversations through various social media and community channels to ensure that every piece of feedback brings them one step closer to making Lirai the best it can be.
What are the differences between the released demo version and the final game?
The demo, currently available on Steam, offers a focused introduction to the game’s core combat, narrative tone, and oppressive atmosphere. However, the development team has stated that the demo’s storyline is not final, but rather an experimental narrative designed to explore emotional and traumatic moments.
The main characters played in the demo version are also not expected to appear in the final version. The development team stated that the final characters will retain the same basic identity, but will be more detailed, expressive, and refined.
The development team is currently using the demo version to test core mechanics, gather feedback, and determine which systems are working and which areas need improvement. The demo is not simply a promotional tool, but rather a part of the process of completing the game. All gameplay, reviews, and comments will ultimately be instrumental in determining the game’s evolution.
A Malaysian indie studio’s ambition shines in the dark
‘Lirai: Heir of Darkness’ showcases the ambition and passion of Malaysia’s indie development scene. From experimental project to nationally recognized title, Cryorbis Studio’s journey is a testament to the potential of indie development.
With its deliberate and calculated combat, transformation system, environmental puzzles, and above all, emotionally deep storytelling, the game is considered more than just an action game; it is a story about purpose, identity, and redemption.
The game, which is scheduled for an official release in June 2026, is currently available as a playable demo on Steam. It’s a must-see for gamers who enjoy dark fantasy, emotional narratives, and challenging combat. The future of humanity’s bleak future lies in your hands.
What about Malaysia’s up-and-coming indie studio **Cryorbis Studio**?
Cryorbis Studio is an independent game development studio focused on creating dark, atmospheric action games. Originally launched in 2016 as an orchestral music composition service, their passion for creating emotionally evoking music through animation led them to game development. Founded in 2018, the studio operates with a small team of 2-10 people. Despite the recent controversy surrounding the introduction of AI in the gaming industry, they continue to connect with fans by emphasizing their meticulously handcrafted character modeling and animation.
| division | Key Contents |
| Studio name | Cryorbis Studio |
| Representative and Director | Adam Muzaffar |
| Year of establishment | 2018 |
| scale | About 10 people (as of 2025) |
| Key milestones | • 2017: Founded the one-man development studio Fire Totem Games • 2021: Beginning development of A Webbing Journey prototype • 2023: Support from the University of Klagenfurt and ITEC in Austria, establishment of a corporation • 2025: A Webbing Journey PC version (Steam) officially released • 2026: Mobile demo version downloads exceed 3.5 million, new iOS release |
| Official Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/cryorbisstudio/ |
| Official Trailer | Official Gameplay Trailer |
| Steam Store Page | Steam Store |
