DaRmaZat Ayasa: Shadows of Silence is an upcoming atmospheric 2.5D adventure game developed and published by Aya Games. In this preview, the demo of the game is covered, serving as an introductory tutorial that offers a glimpse into its mechanics, eerie setting, and unfolding mystery. Covering the first of six planned levels, it provides a taste of what awaits when the game launches later this year.
The story of Ayasa: Shadows of Silence unfolds in the Inverted World, a universe teetering on the edge of destruction. A cinematic introduction sets a grim tone—an atomic explosion, an advancing alien army, and a planet seemingly beyond salvation. This demo wastes no time on lengthy exposition and throws players directly into a desperate sprint through a dense forest as a sinister purple mist with grotesque, grasping limbs closes in.
A World Where Every Step Feels Uncertain
Ayasa, the silver-haired protagonist, bears a striking resemblance to an indie take on The Witcher’s Ciri, while the game’s visual and gameplay style evokes Limbo and INSIDE. Platforming in a 2.5D environment, however, presents some frustrations—depth perception is unreliable, making precise jumps difficult and leading to frequent unintended falls. Movement feels floaty, and while button prompts for PlayStation controllers function properly, they currently do not for Xbox controllers.
Despite this, Ayasa’s worldbuilding is captivating. Dynamic weather effects—howling wind, torrential rain, and sudden flashes of lightning—add to the oppressive atmosphere. The environments are unsettling yet compelling, from burning forests and crumbling villages to eerie, abandoned houses where alien-like creatures lurk, capable of eliminating Ayasa in a single strike.
A World That Speaks Volumes—But Sometimes Falls Silent
However, while the environmental storytelling effectively conveys desolation, sound design remains a work in progress. At times, background music is completely absent, making the game feel more like a technical demo than a finished product. Essential sound effects, such as footsteps in water or the impact of enemy attacks, are either missing or inconsistently implemented.
The gameplay leans heavily on trial and error, often requiring multiple attempts to master certain sections. The balance between stealth, frantic escapes, and puzzle-solving keeps the experience engaging, though players are rarely given clear indicators of what to expect next. This unpredictability heightens tension but can also lead to frustration. Meanwhile, technical issues persist, including occasional game freezes when loading after dying, AI bugs, and instances where Ayasa gets stuck in the environment, particularly when crawling. However, this is just a demo, of course.
Preliminary Thoughts
Despite its rough edges, this demo of Ayasa: Shadows of Silence shows great promise. With the release set for Q3 2025, there is ample time to refine its mechanics, tighten controls, and improve sound design. If these elements are polished, the game has the potential to be a hauntingly memorable experience. For now, the demo highlights a rich and ambitious world, albeit one still in need of fine-tuning.
Additional information
Release Date: Q3 2025
Reviewed On: PC. Download code of this demo was provided by developer and publisher.
Developer: Aya Games
Publisher: Aya Games
Relevant links: Ayasa: Shadows of Silence on STEAM
