SOLAR ASH

[VSW]

Solar Ash Coming to PS5 from Hyper Light Drifter Studio
Heart Machine releases a new trailer for Solar Ash during Sony's PS5 reveal event that showcases its vivid colors and strange worlds.

A new trailer for Solar Ash made its debut at the PlayStation 5 reveal event today. It is the second game from Heart Machine, the studio behind 2016's Hyper Light Drifter, and it shares many of its vivid colors and aesthetics. While the trailer was short on footage showing how the game would play, it provided a good look at the strange settings and creatures the sword-wielding protagonist will encounter.

The PlayStation 5 reveal show was a major event, finally unveiling the PS5 console to the world. Before the big reveal, a plethora of trailers were shown, making it easy for some games to slip between the cracks, but Solar Ash managed to make an impression with its otherworldly characters, brilliant hues, and fast-paced gameplay. The aptly named "Introduction Trailer" acquaints audiences with the game's protagonist while they explore strange locales. The main character, who has yet to be named, is a dark and mysterious figure that wears clothing reminiscent of Hyper Light Drifter's hero -- also wielding a sword and donning a cape. But the two games are very different in a lot of ways.


For one, Heart Machine is ditching the 2D, 16-bit graphics of its previous indie game, letting Solar Ash take advantage of the PlayStation 5's powerful hardware. Furthermore, the action is much quicker. The main character is seen moving through wormholes and navigating the landscape with the grace and speed of an ice skater while, at moments, defying gravity. The world itself is surreal and intriguing and filled with wondrous creatures, something worth exploring when the game is released sometime in 2021.


In the meantime, those who haven't played Hyper Light Drifter might want to give it a go. The action role-playing title channels older games of the SNES era, and was well-received by critics and audiences alike. It even uses a similar visual style of that console generation, which is part of its charm and a perfect game for those who love pixel art. The story is mostly left up to interpretation and there is no spoken dialogue. This puts the focus mainly on the gameplay itself. However, the ending to Hyper Light Drifter required some explanation as a result.

Solar Ash will release for the PlayStation 5 in 2021.