E3 2021 showcased a huge year for games, with plenty of highly-anticipated titles finally getting confirmed or release dates scheduled. But among the expected or heavily rumored appearances, there were still lots of surprises that came as a pleasant shock to gamers. One of these unexpected game reveals was Devolver Digital's Trek to Yomi. Players were given a glimpse of the gorgeous black-and-white gameplay as the world of feudal Japan was brought to life in Trek to Yomi's trailer, and it was clear this title was going to be one to watch.

With a vague release window of 2022, gamers were wondering when they would be able to get their hands on Trek to Yomi, but it seems there is some good news on the horizon. Along with a new gameplay trailer, it has been revealed that the atmospheric title will be joining Xbox Game Pass when it launches, although sadly there is still no firm date beyond the year of release.

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A First Look at the World of Trek to Yomi

a field and landscape in trek to yomi

When the game was first revealed, players didn't have much to go on when they speculated about what Trek to Yomi might entail. Made by Polish studio Flying Wild Hog, the game will feature "breathtaking camera angles and striking visuals in the spirit of a classic samurai film." Anyone who has seen an Akira Kurosawa film will see the inspirations, although the iconic filmmaker has been an influence for countless other films and projects to date, including fellow samurai game Ghost of Tsushima, which had a whole black-and-white mode dedicated to the legendary creative.

The announcement trailer for Trek to Yomi looked more like a trailer for a film than a game as well, with such a focus on striking aesthetics and scenery. As a showcase for how the game was going to look, it was certainly impressive, and its combination of 3D space and 2D side-scrolling action makes for an interesting combination. Flying Wild Hog also partnered with indie developer Leonard Menchiari to create Trek to Yomi, another nod to the game's film qualities as Menchiari is known for his similarly cinematic projects such as the choose-your-own-adventure movie Neo Dusk.

What To Expect From Trek to Yomi

trek-to-yomi-battle-village

With the release of the new gameplay trailer, players have been granted a more in-depth look into Trek to Yomi. More of the game's striking aesthetics were on show, including a masterful play on light and shadow to fully utilize the black-and-white palette. A sequence that shows a fight taking place behind a screen with only the shadowed outlines of the fighters visible is reminiscent of bunraku theater and darkened sections punctuated with flickering torches provide beautifully contrasting visuals. Marcin Kryszpin, the Creative Director for Trek to Yomi, has said that the protagonist's journey will "take many turns: will you choose to honor your vows, or take the path of revenge?" This hints at the ability for players to decide just what their adventure looks like, and how it will take shape.

Players will take control of a young warrior named Hiroki who is attempting to fulfill a promise made to his dying master after tragedy struck their village. Gamers will reportedly have to voyage beyond life and death to set the wrongs to right, with a fantastical section towards the end of the newest gameplay trailer perhaps showing off this realm of the afterlife. With a thoughtful and painstakingly researched combat system, players will use a combination of the iconic samurai katana and other equally traditional weapons like a ranged bow, ozutsu, and bo-shurikens. According to the game's profile on Steam, players will encounter vicious swordsmen and supernatural beings, who they will need to face in order to see Hiroki's quest to completion.

In addition to the thought given to making the combat true to the period and just as aesthetically pleasing as the scenery, the developers have said that in order to recreate the world of 19th century Japan enormous care was taken. To reflect the Edo dynasty in which it takes place, the game worked with a historical consultant who specialized in 18th-century Japanese language so that Trek to Yomi's dialogue could be as authentic as possible. In addition to this, the score is specifically designed to feel at home in the game's setting of 1850s feudal Japan, in order to immerse players in the world of Trek to Yomi.

It's clear Trek to Yomi will be a well-crafted and thoughtful representation of the genre and the time period, but beyond these tantalizing details, there is still much that remains cloaked in shadow. But one thing is for certain – players are no doubt in for a unique and captivating experience.

Trek to Yomi releases in 2022 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

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