If exploring a lavish Persian palace using your parkour and climbing skills sounds like your kind of adventure, you’re in luck! Ember Souls, the latest VR hack-and-slash action-adventure game from VirtualAge, is now available on Meta Quest.
Creating a game this ambitious wasn’t easy, so META sat down with Carles Ballabriga, CEO of VirtualAge, to discuss its development and what makes Ember Souls such a unique experience.
From Concept to Reality: The Origins of Ember Souls
What sparked the creation of Ember Souls?
Carles Ballabriga:
“When we started, we saw a gap in the Meta Quest store—there weren’t any melee-focused games with a story-driven campaign that also integrated parkour and climbing in a meaningful way.
Our elevator pitch was simple: imagine combining the visceral combat of Blade and Sorcery with the seamless parkour of Prince of Persia or Assassin’s Creed, all set in a visually stunning, underexplored world like ancient Persia. We wanted players to feel the thrill of epic battles while exploring environments in a dynamic and fluid way.”
Balancing Complex Mechanics
With systems like fast-paced parkour, hookshot-like abilities, and melee and ranged combat, how did the team ensure everything worked seamlessly?
CB:
“It was a challenge. For example, we developed a ‘fall guard’ system that predicts a player’s trajectory during jumps or falls. If the system detects an unrecoverable fall, it automatically respawns the player safely. This not only reduces motion sickness but keeps gameplay smooth.
Balancing these systems required countless hours of playtesting and iteration to ensure the mechanics felt fluid, intuitive, and fun.”
A Foundation for the Future
Do you see Ember Souls as the groundwork for future projects?
CB:
“Absolutely. At VirtualAge, we design games with the future in mind, building upon mechanics from previous titles. With Ember Souls, we’ve refined climbing, parkour, and combat systems, creating a robust framework for future projects. These systems are not just a foundation—they’re an evolving platform we can expand on.”
A World Inspired by Persian Mythology
What can you tell us about the story and setting of Ember Souls?
CB:
“The story is set in a world inspired by Persian mythology and culture. You play as Kasim, a mysterious warrior tasked with protecting the Ember Stones—artifacts that harness elemental powers. The journey follows Kasim and his allies, Alsheim and Arya, as they battle the Shadow Sultan, who seeks to use the stones to spread chaos.
We drew from Persian lore to enrich the world, incorporating elements like shadow ifrits and the elite Immortals of ancient Persia to create a setting that feels fresh and immersive.”
Game Modes and Progression
What can players expect in terms of game content and progression?
CB:
Ember Souls offers three main game modes at launch:
- Campaign: A 15-level story-driven experience, taking 6-8 hours to complete.
- The Raids: A roguelite mode with procedurally generated maps, where players compete for high scores and unlock special items.
- Sandbox: A customizable playground to experiment with enemies, traps, and abilities.
Progression is dual-tracked:
- Earn talent points by defeating enemies to unlock and upgrade Ember Stone powers or enhance Kasim’s abilities.
- Collect gold in missions to purchase new weapons and equipment. Some exclusive items are unlocked through magical scrolls found in The Raids.
Tips for New Players
What advice would you give to first-time players?
CB:
“Start by customizing your experience—adjust weapon weight, slow-motion settings, and holster positions to suit your playstyle.
In the campaign, spend your first talent points on the time slow-down ability—it makes parkour and combat much easier. And don’t forget to use the wind stone’s force push; it’s a lifesaver when overwhelmed and makes you feel like a Jedi.
Oh, and be sure to pet Alsheim, your loyal falcon companion! He provides helpful tips and bits of lore as you explore the world.”
Where to Learn More
Where can players find updates and connect with the community?
CB:
“You can play Ember Souls now on the Meta Horizon Store. Follow us on Discord, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for the latest updates. Visit our studio website to learn more about VirtualAge and our projects.”
Your Adventure Begins
Ember Souls is a thrilling blend of epic action, parkour exploration, and Persian mythology, delivering a truly immersive VR experience. Download it today on the Meta Horizon Store and dive into a world of adventure, danger, and discovery!