Hidden Gem: Ballad of Antara Unveiled at State of Play

During the May 2024 State of Play stream, PlayStation unveiled Ballad of Antara, a dark fantasy action-RPG set for a 2025 release. Developed by Tipsworks Studio and published by Infold Games, this new IP shares similarities with the Soulslike genre and features two parallel worlds, offering multiple playable characters called Emissaries. Players will navigate both a normal world and an alternate version called Para, engaging in a quest to rally Emissaries and uncover the truth behind a catastrophic event. The game supports cooperative multiplayer for up to three players, with post-launch content plans including new characters, regions, and story content. A beta test is anticipated, though no date has been specified.

Ballad of Antara's key features include a dark fantasy setting with two parallel worlds, multiple playable characters known as Emissaries, cooperative multiplayer for up to three players, and post-launch support with additional content. The storyline focuses on rallying Emissaries to mitigate a calamity affecting the land.

Soulslike games, known for their challenging gameplay and intricate world-building, gained popularity with the release of games like Demon's Souls and Dark Souls by FromSoftware. This genre typically involves deep lore, strategic combat, and high difficulty levels, appealing to gamers who enjoy immersive and challenging experiences. Ballad of Antara appears to continue this tradition by incorporating these elements into its gameplay and narrative.