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The playtest for Hayaku! Island of Darkness is available on Steam until November 5, offering an opportunity to experience the Metroidvania developed by Pizia, which combines pixel art inspired by 8-bit aesthetics with fluid movement, nonlinear exploration, and varied combat systems. The adventure takes place on a post-apocalyptic island marked by abandoned facilities, overgrown cities, crystal mines, and military fortresses, where the remnants of a declining civilization conceal secrets about the region's past.

Exploration revolves around an interconnected map featuring alternative routes, secret rooms, and areas that become accessible only after acquiring new abilities. The protagonist can perform quick dashes, run along walls, bounce off enemies, and travel along high-voltage lines, expanding the possibilities for movement during combat and traversal. Terminals scattered across the island allow players to retrieve map data and reactivate transportation systems, making it easier to revisit previously inaccessible locations.

The combat system features three primary weapons, each with distinct characteristics and up to three upgrade levels that modify their attacks and behavior. The Crimson Star is a versatile energy sword capable of striking enemies in four directions, while the BeastBreaker relies on powerful blows from a massive greatsword that can be thrown and retrieved. The TurboDrill, meanwhile, uses a mechanical chain to attack enemies, reach distant points, and explore different ways of interacting with the environment. Secondary weapons, including bouncing bombs and quick daggers, expand the available strategies and can be purchased with crystals.

The Power Armor introduces an additional customization system that influences both combat and exploration. The machine uses core, arm, and leg components from four different chassis, allowing players to combine equipment and abilities according to the demands of each situation. Cannons, drills, axes, and rapid-fire weapons can be paired with mobility features such as gliding, thrusters that keep the armor airborne, underwater movement, and model-specific dashes. These combinations alter the armor's weight, durability, and behavior, providing different approaches to confronting enemies and overcoming obstacles.

The inhabitants still resisting the Reikan organization's control also play a role in the journey. Travelers, engineers, scavengers, and unusual machines appear throughout the island, offering optional tasks, clues, and side stories. The Notes and Favors journal tracks these activities, while forgotten tapes, photographs, and discs belonging to Dr. Geno help reconstruct events that certain forces would rather keep hidden.

Encounters include malfunctioning security robots, Reikan soldiers, and anomalous creatures known as the Tenebris. Each region presents its own threats, combining environmental hazards, platforming challenges, and enemies that require different combat approaches. Boss battles stand out for their scale, featuring elaborate pixel art animations, cinematic camera work, and visual effects that accompany the most powerful attacks.

The narrative follows Hayaki, who awakens in the Forgotten Laboratory with no memory of his identity or how he ended up there. His only initial companion is SecSy, a sarcastic security AI confined within a robotic mask shaped like a cat. A fragmented memory reveals the name Yusuke, whom Hayaki identifies as his missing brother, setting in motion a search that gradually uncovers connections between the protagonist, the Tenebris, and the experiments conducted on the island.

The investigation leads to a society under the control of Reikan, an organization that promises protection while exerting influence over the population, resources, and history of the island. As new information comes to light and Hayaki's unusual abilities become increasingly apparent, the distinction between humanity, monstrosity, and technology becomes central to the story. The playtest available on Steam offers a glimpse into this combination of exploration, mechanical customization, and science fiction storytelling in a setting that conceals the consequences of its own past.