Some journeys test your reflexes. Others ask what kind of person you’re willing to become. Ayasa: Shadows of Silence takes players into a haunting, wordless world where light and darkness are at war, and the smallest decisions can influence the fate of an entire realm.
Developed and published by Aya Games, this atmospheric blend of platforming, puzzles and horror is available now on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC for £16.74.
At A Glance
- Game: Ayasa: Shadows of Silence
- Developer: Aya Games
- Publisher: Aya Games
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC
- Price: £16.74
- Genre: Atmospheric Adventure / Puzzle Platformer / Horror
Six Lands, One Broken World
The Inverted World was once balanced between light and shadow under the watch of Tas, the Absolute. Now, war has shattered that harmony, leaving six lands – Faith, Hope, Love, Greed, Indifference and Betrayal – consumed by spreading darkness.
Playing as Ayasa, a young girl travelling alone, you’ll search these corrupted realms for the scattered remnants of Tas’s light. Each land reflects the ideals and failings suggested by its name, with its own dangers and environmental challenges. What you discover, and the mysteries you leave unresolved, can influence Ayasa’s journey and the person she ultimately becomes.
Ayasa combines platforming and environmental puzzles with stealth and survival. Light can reveal hidden routes and awaken ancient machinery, but not every threat can be confronted directly. Observing your surroundings, choosing the right moment to move and finding ways around danger are essential to making progress.
The storytelling is just as distinctive. There is no spoken dialogue; instead, movement, surreal imagery and music communicate the emotions and mysteries of the Inverted World. That is aided by the soundtrack, composed by Arman Msryan and drawing on the music of Komitas, adds an Armenian musical influence to the game’s unsettling atmosphere.
Further to that, the art direction draws inspiration from filmmakers and animators including Tim Burton, René Laloux, Robert Sahakyants, Hayao Miyazaki and Sergei Parajanov.
A Story You Feel Rather Than Hear
Aya Games founder and CEO Edgar Janoyan explained the thinking behind the approach to storytelling:
“Ayasa was always meant to speak without words. We wanted players to feel the story rather than read it,” said Edgar Janoyan, Founder and CEO of Aya Games. “Seeing players on PC connect with Ayasa’s journey has meant everything to us. Today, players on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S can finally step into the Inverted World and find their own light in the dark.”
With its symbolic settings, stealth-focused encounters and emphasis on visual storytelling, Ayasa: Shadows of Silence offers an adventure where atmosphere and interpretation matter as much as reaching the next destination.
Ayasa: Shadows of Silence is available now on Xbox Series X|S (Xbox Store), PlayStation 5 and PC for £16.74. If you’re drawn to surreal worlds, environmental puzzles and stories that leave room for interpretation, Ayasa’s journey through the darkness is ready to begin.
