Genshin Impact studio unveils Varsapura with extended 31-minute gameplay demo

HoYoverse has revealed Varsapura, showcasing a 31-minute gameplay demo featuring urban settings and fast combat

HoYoverse, the studio behind Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail, has revealed its next major project, Varsapura, alongside a 31-minute gameplay demo that offers an early look at the direction of the new title.

Released on November 20, the footage shows the developer moving toward a darker, modern-day setting that contrasts with the brighter fantasy environments of its previous releases.

According to the reveal, Varsapura centres on a world where shadow-like creatures have begun to appear, disrupting city life and posing a growing threat.

Players take on the role of a member of SEAL, the Shadow Emergency Alliance, investigating “Cognosea disruption events” and confronting hostile entities that emerge from these disturbances.

While HoYoverse has not shared extensive details about the overall structure of Varsapura, the lengthy gameplay video offers a clear introduction to its combat style, tone and characters. The footage shows the main protagonist moving through a dimly lit facility, using stealth attacks, melee strikes and psychic-style abilities.

Combat emphasises speed and character switching, with players able to rotate between three fighters to chain abilities together. Each character also has an ultimate attack, including the protagonist’s umbrella-based ranged strike.

The demo also includes a driving sequence in which players navigate a realistic urban environment, weaving through traffic and avoiding pedestrians.

HoYoverse has not confirmed whether Varsapura will feature an open-world map, though the inclusion of vehicles has led fans to speculate about the scale of its environments.

The developer has not yet confirmed release platforms or a launch window. Recruitment listings linked to the project indicate ongoing development, with positions such as Battle Strategist and Copywriter currently open.