The Ascent, a cyberpunk-themed action-RPG originally slated to make its debut as a launch title for both the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, has been delayed. Now, the game is instead slated to be released next year in 2021, also coming to Game Pass on launch day.

Upon its initial announcement at the Xbox Series X Game Showcase, The Ascent was revealed to have a free-roam playstyle with classic RPG mechanics, and an "unprecedented" sense of verticality in the game's world. The Ascent also boasts a narrative-driven adventure that is playable in single-player mode, or in co-op modes of up to four players.

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Developer Neon Giant and publisher Curve Digital announced the game's delay today via a press release, while also releasing a developer walkthrough of The Ascent from Neon Giant. The video showcases the development of the game, in addition to highlighting several features that will be a part of The Ascent when it does, eventually, release.

The Ascent is going to be playable at 60 frames per second and with full 4K support on the Xbox Series X at launch. And while there's no new release date in 2021 for The Ascent, it will be available as part of the Xbox Games Pass immediately upon launch, so subscribers will be able to play it for free.

In The Ascent, players will take on the role of an indentured worker under the control of the Ascent Group, the same company that owns everyone else in the district. Then one day, for reasons unknown, the Ascent Group shuts down completely, leaving automated security systems to go haywire and its workers bereft and unprotected. From there, it'll be up to players to see to the survival of their district in the face of other invading mega-corporations, crime syndicates, and more - plus unravel the biggest mystery of them all: what happened to the Ascent Group.

This will be the first game from indie developer Neon Giant, a studio comprised of just 11 members working on the game. Time will tell if The Ascent is worth the extra wait, but for now, prospective players will just have to hang in there.

The Ascent will be available on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S.

MORE: How The Ascent Compares to Cyberpunk 2077

Source: Gematsu