PAX East 2026 - Awaysis Provides Amazing Physics-Focused Combat

I love anthropomorphic characters in my games. Some of the very first video games feature anthropomorphized characters, from Bubsy to Sonic the Hedgehog to Rocket Knight and so on. Of course, I am and continue to be a big fan of Star Fox. SO when I heard that Awaysis was going to be at PAX East, I couldn't say no to a chance to play the game myself.

Awaysis is an ambitious title. The team at 17-bit games previously worked on one of my favorite games, GALAK-Z, years ago, and recently, a VR game called Song in the Smoke. Now the team is at it again with a physics-focused adventure game, one with a ton of heart, charm, and dazzling visuals.

Ascend the Mountain

Awaysis takes place in a fictional land. A darkness looms across the land and must be stopped. A ragtag team of adventurers gathers together to fight the darkness and ascend the mountain of Awaysis. It won't be easy. Enemies now fill every corner of the land. Sometimes, all that is needed is a big sword and a big heart to make a difference.

My demo had me go through one of the first levels. Visually, the game dazzles and delights. Hairs of fur can be seen on one of the fox heroes. Water flows and moves with force. The grass is green, and you can see every blade of it. It's a welcome feast for the eyes in this age of grey and dark games.

What a Wonderful World

Everything looks sharp and rightfully so. This time around, the team wanted to construct something much more fun and accessible to various players. Galak-Z was a great but tough game, and Song in the Smoke is isolated to VR platforms. Following the COVID-19 Pandemic, the team wanted to make something colorful and more rewarding to players, with an emphasis on making memories and having players feel good about themselves.

I played as a fox hero and wielded a gargantuan sword many times her size. The gameplay is an action-focused one, involving wielding the sword and moving about the level. The catch is the physics and the controls. I moved around with the left stick but had to use the shoulder buttons to swing my sword. The sword had a sensation of weight and momentum. I could feel I was holding a big sword of steel.

Bash and Dash

The combat was simple, but the physics made it incredible! Goblins with pointy swords came after me in droves and swarms. Using the sword, I swiped back at them. I could even block attacks and dash out of the way. An interesting mechanic is the ability to use water. Water helps for travel, but it can also take down the goblins. Using the slide kick ability, I kicked the goblins into the water, instantly killing them.

The movement felt nice, and the gameplay felt great! Each part of the stage had different objectives, from destroying enemy tents to eventually taking down the big boss. Using water, the sword, and the slide mechanics, playing Awaysis felt immensely satisfying, from the controls to the visuals.

A Wonderful Melody

The demo was quick, lasting only about 15 minutes. However, I can see the potential and excitement for Awaysis. The game reminds me of the feelings I had when I first played Sonic the Hedgehog or Super Mario 64. There's a heart and charm to the overall game. Additionally, the entire game can be played in co-op. Other people were playing with me in multiplayer and fighting alongside each other, laughing and cheering along the way. The game will have local and online co-op.

That sense of nostalgia wasn't just featured in the gameplay and visuals. It was also featured in the sound. Hip Tanaka, who composed the music of such legendary titles as Earthbound, Super Metroid, and Super Smash Bros: Brawl, will be the composer for Awaysis. I did hear bits and pieces of the soundtrack in between the loud noise of the convention center, and what I did hear sounded great!

Welcome to the Awaysis

Awaysis is shaping up to be an exciting action-adventure that is great for families and great for players who are yearning for the days of colorful adventures in their games. It's tough to make something in this day and age, but Awaysis has what it takes to be an incredibly memorable video game. We could all use that in these times.

AWays launches on console and PC in Summer 2026. A demo is now available on Steam.