HoYoverse has quietly revealed the first extended gameplay footage for its next major project, and it looks nothing like Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, or Zenless Zone Zero!
The upcoming game, called Varsapura, is being developed in Unreal Engine 5, and the released 30-minute video introduces us to a darker, more grounded world built around supernatural investigations, shadow entities, and secret organizations that feels more like Umbrella Corporation than the Fatui.
You can take a look at the video here:
Welcome to the Shadow Bureau and SEAL
The footage places players inside a division known as the Shadow Bureau, working alongside, or perhaps under, the mysterious organization called SEAL (Shadow Emergency Alliance).
Presented as a leaked “internal directive,” the video frames itself like classified operational footage. According to SEAL, everything shown was captured from “live operational environments” and deliberately presented as a controlled exposure rather than a traditional marketing reveal.
This unusual framing already sets the tone for Varsapura! It will be unsettling, secretive, and heavily focused on psychological and paranormal themes.
The Combat Looks Original
The gameplay shows a new player character who fights with an umbrella weapon, mixing fast melee with a few supernatural effects when fighting against some sort of Shadow Monsters.
Later in the video, a second character is introduced, and they are using floating books as weapons, so an entirely different combat style that is more around ranged magic.
Combat feels faster and more grounded than HoYoverse’s previous games, powered by Unreal Engine 5.
Stealth Missions, Driving, and City Exploration
Beyond combat, Varsapura appears to offer more varied gameplay systems as well:
- Stealth-based missions, where avoiding detection is just as important as fighting.
- Vehicules, allowing you to explore the city by driving rather than fast-travel menus.
- Open urban environments that feel more realistic and atmospheric compared to HoYoverse’s usual style.
A Protagonist That Changes
One of the strangest story elements revealed is a meta concept. According to SEAL’s internal message, the protagonist’s appearance changes to match each viewer’s preferences.
HoYoverse has not explained how this works yet, but it suggests a real character customization or even deeper fourth-wall-breaking elements tied directly into the story.
English-Only Voice Track (For Now)
SEAL also confirms that only the English voice version of the footage has been authorized for release so far. Other language “modules” are reportedly in development, as the organization claims to be operating under restricted conditions.
It is quite funny how they try to blur the line between in-game lore and real-world marketing, reinforcing Varsapura’s tone of secrets and psychological tension. But basically, this just means that more trailers will release in the near future, with other voice-overs.
A New Direction for HoYoverse
Varsapura already looks like a big change in direction for HoYoverse. With its darker mood, stealth mechanics, vehicles, and supernatural setting, it feels less like a traditional gacha RPG and more like a story-driven paranormal action thriller.
HoYoverse has not confirmed a release window yet, but this first gameplay reveal makes it clear that Varsapura is positioning itself as one of the company’s most ambitious and experimental projects so far!
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