HoYoverse unveils Varsapura: A dark, eerie leap into Unreal Engine 5

Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail maker HoYoverse has unveiled a 30-minute gameplay video of its new eerie open-world experience, Varsapura—and let us tell you, it’s definitely a change of direction for the company.

Varsapura aesthetic is much darker and a stark contrast to the happy-go-lucky anime vibes of their other titles. Based on the footage shown, Varsapura looks definitely targeted at an older demographic, and is a showcase of how HoYoverse is trying to conquer new ground diving into Unreal Engine 5 for the first time.

Varsapura gameplay and story teaser

The video opens on a grim note, featuring a rainy backdrop and the protagonist delivering a mysterious disclaimer for anyone suffering from insomnia, nightmares, or mood swings, warning that they “may find these images unsettling.”

The protagonist then enters a main building labeled “SEAL,” approaches the counter, and secures an interview.

While exploring the building, players learn about Mindrot, a strange black substance that should be avoided as it can “severely affect mental health.”

More details about Mindrot, Shadow Monsters, and the game’s combat system emerge as you progress through the interview (minimal spoilers here!). Afterward, you drive around completing missions marked across the city—set in real-life Singapore—and, of course, work toward finding your killer (iykyk).

It doesn’t take long to figure that Varsapura is themed around parapsychology and a “shadow” realm.

For instance, upon entering the world, your appearance changes to match each viewer’s preferences, but there’s no explanation behind the phenomenon. You may also pick up strong Silent Hill and Death Stranding vibes from the gameplay clip.

As for SEAL? It’s the organization responsible for tracking such parapsychological effects across the “full spectrum.” As the protagonist trying to survive in Varsapura, you’ll need to “remain calm,” “avoid excessive speculation,” and “maintain composure to prevent Cognosea disruption events.”

Varsapura also marks HoYoverse’s first foray into Unreal Engine 5. For now, the game is expected to launch on PC and consoles. A mobile release may also happen, though there’s some uncertainty due to UE5. It’s also unclear whether the experience will be an MMO like Genshin and Honkai—or geared toward solo adventurers.