Focus Entertainment and Afterburner Studios used Gamescom Opening Night Live to announce Elta: Defy All Gods, a new science-fantasy action-platformer scheduled for early 2027. The game will launch on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. A free public demo featuring the opening section of the game is set to arrive on all platforms on October 1.
Players take control of Victus, an elite warrior monk searching for their lost dragon-god companion, Elta. The story centers on restoring Elta’s former power in the hope of giving their civilization a path forward after years of hardship. As Victus and Elta travel through corrupted worlds, both grow stronger, unlocking new martial arts techniques and magic abilities that expand the combat and traversal options available. Check out the reveal trailer below:
Elta: Defy All Gods blends free-form melee combat with fluid 3D platforming and light metroidvania-style exploration. Combat emphasizes weighty, expressive martial arts mixed with magical attacks designed for chaotic group fights. The studio is aiming for a satisfying game feel that rewards precise timing and aggressive momentum rather than purely reactive play.
Exploration takes place across three large science-fantasy environments filled with secrets and optional paths. Progression depends on mastering an expanding set of traversal skills that allow Victus to reach previously inaccessible areas. The design draws clear inspiration from both traditional brawlers and 3D metroidvanias, attempting to create a hybrid that prioritizes movement and combat flow over heavy systems or narrative density.
Ian Cofino, co-founder and game director at Afterburner Studios, described the project as a significant step up from the team’s previous work. "For our second title we’ve gone much bigger, taking all we’ve learned about weighty combat, satisfying game feel, and fluid action to another level," he said. "Focus Entertainment has been a terrific partner in our goal to create a world-class action title, enabling our team to realize a very ambitious vision."
Afterburner Studios was founded in 2018 by Robert Taylor, Ian Cofino, and Paul Svoboda with the goal of making focused, fun-first action games outside the traditional large-studio structure. Their debut title, Dreamscaper, launched in 2021 and eventually reached more than 750,000 players across PC, Switch, Xbox, and Game Pass. The critical and commercial reception of that smaller-scale project gave the team the confidence and resources to pursue something more ambitious with Elta: Defy All Gods.
The new game represents a clear evolution in scope. Where Dreamscaper operated in more contained, dreamlike spaces, Elta spreads across larger, interconnected worlds that demand both combat mastery and traversal skill. The partnership with Focus Entertainment has allowed the studio to expand its production values while retaining creative control over the core gameplay identity.
The October 1 demo is intended to give players an early sense of the combat rhythm and movement style that define the game. It will cover the opening section and serve as the primary hands-on opportunity before the full early 2027 launch. Wishlisting is already available on the major storefronts.
Elta: Defy All Gods arrives in a crowded action-platformer space, but its combination of brawler-style combat, fluid traversal, and science-fantasy presentation gives it a distinct pitch. Afterburner’s focus on game feel and the support of an established publisher suggest the team is aiming for a polished, high-energy experience rather than another systems-heavy title.
With the announcement now public and a demo only weeks away, players interested in fast, expressive action will have a concrete chance to judge the game for themselves in early October. The full release is currently targeted for early 2027 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
What are your thoughts on the reveal? Will you be playing this one? Let us know what other games you are looking forward to in the comments below!