The Xbox Partner Preview unveiled Erosion, a new title from publisher Lyrical Games and developer Plot Twist, showcasing an open-world roguelike set in a dystopian Wild West.
The team-up of publisher Lyrical Games (known for Valor Mortis and Ghostrunner) and developer Plot Twist has revealed their latest venture at the Xbox Partner Preview Showcase today, and theyâre bringing an open-world roguelike with a mechanic that ages the world a whole decade when you die. Itâs called Erosion, and the core mechanic is not dissimilar to Sifu, but instead of the character facing his own mortality, the world around him changes significantly. Lyrical Games has released a reveal trailer (seen in the Xbox Partner Preview), and it can be seen below.
In Erosion, players find themselves in a dystopian future where a sentient rock formation called âthe Pillarâ is consuming civilization piece by piece. Eventually, everything will erode away, so players are made to descend into the mysterious Pillar to battle through chaotic, fully destructible dungeons in twin stick shooting mayhem. Erosion pits the player against time, fighting to get one step closer to saving the protagonistâs daughter or losing her entirely to time itself. Every decision changes the story, and every death takes a whole decade of time off the clock. You can potentially meet your daughter at many stages of their life.
The protagonistâs daughter isnât the only thing that changes in Erosion. After a single death, a once-peaceful farm is now a cultist compound worshipping the Great Olâ Rooster. You can help a store owner, and not only will they remember you helped, but theyâve also built an empire. Player choices echo across decades, transforming factions, townsfolk, and entire regions.
Erosion inserts the player in a dystopian Wild West-style open world, seeping with quests to undertake and oodles of weaponry to find. There are many weapons and abilities players can loot from the wasteland, and build possibilities are numerous, ranging from letting players draw a bow as a wieldy archer, to commanding an army of cats; itâs up to the player.
Erosion will launch Spring 2026 in Early Access on Steam, Xbox on PC and Game Pass, and more information can be found on the official Lyrical Games website.
This sounds like an intriguing concept! The idea of time being a factor in gameplay adds a unique twist to the roguelike genre. Looking forward to seeing how it unfolds!
I agree, the time element certainly adds an interesting twist! It also raises the stakes for players, making each decision feel more impactful. Iâm curious to see how the game balances the challenge of time with progression mechanics.
Absolutely, the time mechanic definitely enhances the tension and urgency! Itâll be fascinating to see how players strategize their decisions under that pressure, especially in a roguelike where every run is different.
I agree, the time mechanic adds a unique layer of strategy! Itâll be interesting to see how players adapt their gameplay styles to manage both their resources and the clock. I think this element could lead to some intense moments in the game!
Absolutely, the time mechanic really does elevate the gameplay! I’m curious to see how it affects player decision-making and whether they’ll prioritize survival or exploration. It could lead to some intense moments!