Yars Rising

The story of Yars Rising receives praise for its engaging narrative structure and thematic depth, with several critics highlighting its connection to the original Yars’ Revenge and its incorporation of cyberpunk elements. Gaming Age and Nintendo Life commend the game’s focus on Emi “Yar” Kimura, a hacker navigating a dystopian world while secretly working against her employer, QoTech, emphasizing themes of resistance and rebellion that resonate with the franchise’s legacy. Pure Nintendo and GameGrin laud the fast-paced, humorous tone, noting the unique characters and witty dialogue that add charm, while GameGrin specifically appreciates the evolving sci-fi mystery and personal ties to an alien race, which deepen the narrative as the game progresses. Additionally, GameSpew and PlayStation Country praise the storytelling’s delivery, with fully voiced characters and comic book cutscenes enhancing the game’s personality and immersion. These reviews suggest that the story effectively balances action with character-driven moments, offering a fresh take on cyberpunk tropes while maintaining a sense of adventure and humor. However, some critics find the narrative lacking in originality and emotional weight. Cubed3 describes the story as “clichéd” and “reminiscent of typical cyberpunk themes,” implying it fails to break new ground despite its genre familiarity. Starbit and Slant Magazine further critique the plot for its shallow stakes and weak motivation, with Starbit noting that the story relies heavily on dialogues and comic panels without a compelling central drive, and Slant Magazine criticizing the “melodramatic exposition” that detracts from the experience. These reviews suggest that while the game’s premise is ambitious, its execution feels derivative or underdeveloped, with some elements—like the corporate conspiracy or alien invasion—lacking the nuance or urgency to fully engage players. The reliance on established tropes and the absence of a strong emotional core are recurring concerns, particularly among those who expected more innovation or depth. Overall, the critics present a mixed but balanced view of Yars Rising’s story. While many appreciate its nostalgic ties to the Yars’ Revenge franchise, its humor, and its fast-paced delivery, others argue it leans too heavily on cyberpunk clichés and fails to create meaningful stakes. The game’s narrative is seen as a double-edged sword: it offers a fun, quirky experience with engaging dialogue and world-building, but its reliance on familiar tropes and underdeveloped motivations risks alienating players seeking originality or emotional investment. Despite these criticisms, the story’s blend of action, mystery, and character-driven moments seems to resonate with a broad audience, particularly on Nintendo Switch and PC platforms, where its accessibility and charm shine through. The consensus suggests that while Yars Rising’s story isn’t groundbreaking, it succeeds in delivering an entertaining, if occasionally formulaic, experience that aligns with its retro-inspired gameplay.

The gameplay of Yars Rising receives praise for its innovative blend of metroidvania exploration, stealth, and hacking mechanics, which many critics highlight as its standout features. Cubed3 and Nintendo Life commend the game’s focus on hacking and stealth, noting that the minigames pay homage to the original Yars’ Revenge and add a unique layer of challenge. Gaming Age and Pure Nintendo emphasize the responsive controls and the satisfying platforming that evokes the classic Metroid feel, while GameGrin and GameSpew appreciate the strategic elements like power-ups, biohacks, and skill progression. GamesRadar+ and God is a Geek also praise the ability to unlock new powers and the engaging boss fights, which require pattern recognition and offer a sense of progression. These reviews collectively suggest that the game’s core mechanics are well-crafted, with a strong emphasis on variety and creativity in its approach to gameplay. However, several critics point out significant drawbacks that detract from the experience. Xbox Tavern criticizes the gameplay as “just okay,” citing repetitive loading screens and the frustration of rewatching animations after dying. Slant Magazine highlights sluggish and simplistic platforming, while Starbit notes that the lack of surprises and frequent objective updates makes the challenge feel diminished. GamesRadar+ adds that the hacking mechanics, though varied, can become tedious due to their sheer volume, and PlayStation Country mentions the game’s limited movement and combat options, which may feel restrictive. These critiques suggest that while Yars Rising offers engaging systems, its execution sometimes falters, leading to a less polished or immersive experience. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Yars Rising delivers a competent metroidvania experience with creative hacking and stealth elements, but it struggles to fully capitalize on its potential. Positive reviews from Gaming Age, Nintendo Life, and Pure Nintendo underscore its strengths in exploration and ability progression, while negative feedback from Xbox Tavern, Slant Magazine, and Starbit points to repetitive design and technical issues. Despite these flaws, the game’s homage to Yars’ Revenge and its hybrid gameplay style earn it a place as a worthwhile title for fans of the genre, even if it falls short of being groundbreaking. The mixed reception reflects a balance between its inventive mechanics and the need for tighter pacing and more originality.

The overall sentiment among critics regarding the graphics and visual design of Yars Rising is largely positive, with many praising its stylistic choices and artistic direction. Cubed3 highlighted the game's cel-shaded and anime-inspired visuals as "visually appealing," while Gaming Age noted that it reflects WayForward's strong 2D design skills, offering a "visually appealing experience that feels good to control." Nintendo Life and Pure Nintendo both commended the game's "stylish and colorful visual design" and "lovely 2D visuals that give the impression of 3D," respectively. Starbit praised the "colorful art direction that blends comic book and cyberpunk styles," and GameGrin appreciated the "wonderful color palette" and "animated cutscenes." Additionally, GameSpew and PlayStation Country both found the visuals to be "colorful and lively" and "confident in identity," respectively, emphasizing the game’s vibrant and engaging aesthetic. However, some critics pointed out notable drawbacks in the game’s visual presentation. GamesRadar+ criticized the lack of visual variety, noting that "most areas feel nondescript and stretched thin over the course of the game," which could make the experience feel repetitive. God is a Geek mentioned that environments are "standard for the genre" and that "some odd animations for the protagonist" detract from the overall polish. While Slant Magazine praised the 4-bit stylings and nostalgia elements, others felt that the game didn’t push the boundaries of graphical detail, as noted by Nintendo Life. Additionally, GameGrin pointed out the absence of lip-sync in dialogue, which, while not a graphical flaw per se, does affect the immersion and presentation of the game’s visual storytelling. Despite these criticisms, there is a general consensus that Yars Rising delivers a visually engaging and stylistically cohesive experience, particularly in its 2D design and aesthetic choices. While some reviewers felt the game didn’t innovate significantly in terms of graphical detail, the majority appreciated its colorful, animated, and nostalgic visuals that align well with its retro-inspired gameplay. The game’s art direction, especially its blend of comic book, cyberpunk, and 4-bit styles, is seen as a strong point, with critics like Starbit and Pure Nintendo highlighting its creativity and charm. Overall, the visuals are considered a highlight of the game, even if they don’t break new ground in terms of technical advancement.

The sound design and music of Yars Rising received widespread acclaim from critics, with many highlighting its vibrant and eclectic approach. Gaming Age praised the soundtrack for featuring "notable synthwave and game music artists," emphasizing how it enhances the game’s overall experience and enjoyment. Nintendo Life described it as an "eclectic mix of anime-inspired tunes composed by various artists," while Pure Nintendo noted its "upbeat synth-based soundtrack" that aligns well with the game’s aesthetic, comparing it to a dynamic Spotify playlist. Starbit and GameGrin both appreciated the retro and anime influences, with the latter specifically commending the "interesting feature to display song names and artists on screen," which adds a layer of engagement. GamesRadar+ lauded the "fantastic" city pop-inspired tracks, calling them "memorable" and a key element in elevating the gameplay. These reviews collectively underscore the soundtrack’s energetic, genre-blending nature and its ability to complement the game’s visual and thematic style. However, some critics expressed reservations about the music’s tonal fit within the game’s narrative. PlayStation Country pointed out that the "cheery and up-tempo" soundtrack with "occasional Japanese lyrics" contrasts sharply with the "corporate setting," suggesting it doesn’t fully blend with the game’s overall tone. This critique highlights a potential disconnect between the music’s upbeat, nostalgic vibe and the more serious or dystopian elements of the game’s story. While most reviewers celebrated the diversity and quality of the soundtrack, this specific feedback indicates that the musical direction might not resonate with all players, particularly those expecting a more cohesive or subdued atmosphere. Despite this minor criticism, the majority of reviewers leaned heavily toward positive assessments, celebrating Yars Rising’s soundtrack as a standout feature. The consensus revolves around its energetic, genre-defying style, which successfully captures the game’s retro-futuristic charm and enhances its replayability. While PlayStation Country’s concern about tonal mismatch stands out, it is an exception in an otherwise glowing reception. The inclusion of recognizable artists, dynamic track changes, and thematic diversity—whether through synthwave, anime, or city pop influences—seems to have struck a chord with most critics, making the music a memorable and integral part of the game’s identity.

The voice acting in Yars Rising receives generally positive feedback from several critics, who highlight its ability to enhance character development and immersion. Nintendo Life notes that the voice acting “brings characters to life,” while Pure Nintendo praises the “terrific voicework” that complements the narrative, particularly emphasizing Emi’s passionate and humorous portrayal. GameGrin and GameSpew also commend the performances, with the latter describing the characters as “fully voiced” with “over-the-top performances” that contribute to the game’s personality. These reviews suggest that the voice acting effectively supports the game’s tone and character dynamics, with specific praise for Emi’s energetic delivery and the overall enthusiasm of the cast. The positive reception indicates that the voice acting is a strong asset, particularly for players who appreciate lively and expressive dialogue. However, several critics express concerns about the voice acting becoming excessive or grating. Starbit notes that the voice acting “can be excessive, especially during action sequences,” potentially detracting from player engagement. GamesRadar+ criticizes the “over the top” energy, comparing it to a “‘00s anime dub cast,” while God is a Geek finds the protagonist’s constant commentary “irritating” and the NPCs “interchangeable.” PlayStation Country also takes issue with Emi’s “talkative and chirpy nature,” describing her personality and banter as annoying. These critiques suggest that while the voice acting is energetic, its intensity may overwhelm some players, particularly during high-stakes moments or for those who prefer subtler dialogue. The repetition of certain lines and the lack of variation in some characters’ voices also emerge as recurring complaints. Overall, the critical consensus on Yars Rising’s voice acting leans toward a mixed but largely favorable reception. While many praise its energy, character depth, and contribution to the game’s personality—particularly from critics like Pure Nintendo and GameSpew—others find it overdone or distracting, as highlighted by Starbit, GamesRadar+, and PlayStation Country. The divide seems to stem from differing tolerances for the game’s stylistic choices, with some players appreciating the bold, animated performances and others finding them excessive. Despite these criticisms, the majority of reviewers acknowledge that the voice acting is well-executed and adds significant value to the experience, even if it may not appeal to all audiences.

The technical performance of Yars Rising varies across platforms, with several critics highlighting positive aspects. Nintendo Life praised the game’s smooth 60fps frame rate on the Nintendo Switch, calling it a "significant improvement" over previous titles from the studio, which suggests strong optimization for the hybrid console. Starbit also commended the Switch version, noting that the controls are "simple and functional" with no reported issues in movement, contributing to a "stable gameplay experience." On PC, GameGrin emphasized that the controls are "tight and responsive," recommending a controller for the best experience, which indicates a well-tuned input system for that platform. These reviews collectively point to a generally polished technical foundation, particularly on the Switch and PC, with performance metrics and control schemes that align with user expectations for their respective systems. However, technical shortcomings are evident in some areas. Xbox Tavern pointed out that the game’s "loading screens" on the Xbox Series X "affected the overall experience," suggesting potential performance hiccups or optimization gaps. Pure Nintendo echoed this concern, describing "frequent but relatively short loading screens" on the Switch, which, while not severe, could disrupt immersion. Meanwhile, Slant Magazine criticized the PC version’s "clunky controls," which they felt "affected the overall gameplay experience," contrasting with GameGrin’s positive take. These issues highlight platform-specific challenges, with the Xbox and PC versions facing more pronounced technical friction, while the Switch’s performance, though not flawless, is perceived as more consistent. Overall, the critics’ opinions reveal a mixed but largely balanced technical assessment. The Switch version is lauded for its 60fps stability and functional controls, though loading times remain a minor flaw. PC users experience a split: while some appreciate the responsive controls, others find them "clunky," pointing to potential inconsistencies in input design. The Xbox Series X version, as noted by Xbox Tavern, struggles with loading screen issues that detract from the experience. Despite these differences, the game’s technical performance is generally seen as solid, with platform-specific strengths and weaknesses. The consensus leans toward the Switch being the most optimized, while PC and Xbox require further refinement to address control and loading concerns, respectively.

The reviews of Yars Rising highlight several elements that contribute to its replay value, particularly its structured challenges and post-game content. Nintendo Life emphasizes the inclusion of Pro Mode and hacking challenges after completion, which provide a clear incentive for players to revisit the game. GameGrin also praises the game’s replayability through its challenging boss battles, strategic biohacks, and multiple endings, positioning it as a strong contender for fans of 2D platformers and retro titles. Starbit and Slant Magazine note that independent hacking challenges and minigames unlocked after completing hacks add variety, while Gaming Age suggests that the game’s overall enjoyment and mini-games, even if not explicitly stated, hint at a degree of replayability. These features collectively create a foundation for players to engage with the game beyond a single playthrough, especially for those drawn to its unique mechanics and competitive elements. However, several critics point to limitations that may reduce the game’s long-term appeal. GamesRadar+ notes that the 5-10 hour runtime and lack of standout features could make the experience feel too short or unremarkable for repeated play. God is a Geek criticizes the repetitive nature of the standard gameplay, despite the originality of the hacking mechanic, which might lead to player fatigue. GameSpew and Starbit both express concerns about the Yars’ Revenge-inspired hacking levels, suggesting they could become monotonous over time, while Slant Magazine points out that platforming sections lack direct replay options. These critiques indicate that while the game offers some post-game content, its core mechanics and structure may not sustain interest for all players, especially those seeking deeper exploration or varied experiences. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Yars Rising has moderate replay value, driven by its specific challenges and post-game modes, but it falls short of being a highly re-playable title. While GameGrin, Nintendo Life, and Starbit highlight features like Pro Mode, multiple endings, and hacking challenges as positives, others like GamesRadar+ and God is a Geek caution that the game’s brevity and repetitive gameplay could deter long-term engagement. The mixed reception suggests that the replayability is situational—appealing to fans of retro-style platformers and puzzle elements but less so to those seeking expansive or varied content. The game’s strengths lie in its niche appeal and technical execution, but its limitations in depth and originality may prevent it from being a must-replay for a broader audience.