Metroidvania Akatori Launches on Steam With Staff Combat and Five Worlds
Contrast Games released the Metroidvania action game Akatori on PC via Steam on August 6. The game is priced at 1,999 yen, with a 15% launch discount bringing it to 1,699 yen until August 13. Players control Mako, a martial monk girl raised in the temple of the Fire Bird, who wields a staff containing a mysterious red bird to fight the Amber Storm, a force that erodes and distorts all living things. The adventure spans five worlds with distinct environments, including floating structures and underground cemeteries. The staff serves multiple functions: it is a weapon for combat, a tool for movement such as gliding and sliding, and a device for solving stage gimmicks and finding hidden areas. Players can learn techniques like launching enemies into the air for aerial combos or throwing the staff like a boomerang. Boss battles vary, with some featuring multiple phases, rhythm game-style challenges, or underwater escape sequences. The game also includes a shop where players can spend collected amber crystals on useful items. The Japanese language is supported. Console versions for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One are scheduled for August 12, with a Nintendo Switch 2 version planned for 2027.