Pure Onyx: Unveiling The Dystopian Beat 'Em Up RPG

Step into the gritty, neon-soaked streets of New Babylon, where every shadow hides a threat and every alleyway is a potential battleground. This is the world of Pure Onyx, a captivating and intense beat 'em up with significant RPG elements that promises to immerse players in a darkly atmospheric cyberpunk future. Far more than just a simple brawler, Pure Onyx weaves a compelling narrative of survival and defiance, placing players in the shoes of a determined heroine fighting against overwhelming odds.

Developed by Eromancer, Pure Onyx is set to redefine expectations within its genre, offering dynamic gameplay, branching stages, and a rich, albeit straightforward, plot. From its inspiration drawn from 80s cyberpunk anime to its intricate combat mechanics and gallery features, this title is poised to be a standout experience. Join us as we delve deep into what makes Pure Onyx a game worth anticipating, exploring its unique blend of action, role-playing, and a distinctive aesthetic that has captivated a dedicated community.

Table of Contents

Pure Onyx: A Glimpse into the Game

At its core, Pure Onyx is a classic beat 'em up, a genre celebrated for its visceral combat and satisfying progression. However, it significantly elevates this formula by incorporating robust RPG elements, creating a deeper and more engaging experience. The game is set in the richly imagined world of "Malise and the Machine," a flagship title from developer Eromancer, which immediately establishes a pre-existing lore and universe for players to explore. This connection suggests a cohesive narrative tapestry that extends beyond a single game, inviting players to delve into a broader storyline. As a beat 'em up with RPG elements, Pure Onyx distinguishes itself by allowing players to not only brawl their way through enemies but also to develop their character, make choices, and explore a world teeming with detail.

The premise of Pure Onyx is both straightforward and effective: it tells the story of a young woman named Onyx who must fight her way through a city overrun by crime and corruption. This narrative simplicity allows the gameplay to shine while still providing enough motivation and context for Onyx's relentless journey. The game is animated in 3D, a testament to Eromancer's commitment to visual quality, and draws significant inspiration from the iconic cyberpunk anime of the 1980s. This aesthetic choice promises a nostalgic yet fresh visual experience, combining classic genre tropes with modern execution. Early gameplay videos showcase its fluid 3D animation, intense combat sequences, challenging boss fights, and even a gallery feature, hinting at unlockable content and replayability.

Genre and Mechanics: Beyond the Brawl

The essence of Pure Onyx lies in its genre blend. It's not just another button-mashing brawler; it's a carefully crafted experience that combines the best of beat 'em ups with the depth of RPGs. This fusion is crucial to its appeal, offering both immediate gratification and long-term engagement.

Classic Beat 'Em Up Roots

The beat 'em up genre has a storied history, from arcade classics like "Final Fight" and "Streets of Rage" to modern interpretations. Pure Onyx proudly carries this torch, focusing on the core tenets that make these games so beloved: visceral hand-to-hand combat, satisfying combos, and the relentless progression through hordes of enemies. As the data suggests, "It follows heroine Onyx as she brawls her way through the dystopian streets of New Babylon." This emphasis on brawling is central to the gameplay loop, requiring players to master combat techniques, timing, and positioning to survive. The thrill of clearing a screen of enemies with a well-executed special move or a perfectly timed dodge is a hallmark of the genre, and Pure Onyx aims to deliver on this promise with its dynamic combat system.

RPG Elements and Player Progression

What truly sets Pure Onyx apart is its integration of RPG elements. These aren't just tacked on; they are fundamental to how players experience the game and develop Onyx. While specific details on the RPG mechanics are not fully outlined in the provided data, the inclusion of "RPG elements" typically implies character progression systems such as:

  • Skill Trees: Unlocking new moves, enhancing existing abilities, or gaining passive bonuses.
  • Equipment and Customization: Finding or purchasing gear that boosts stats or changes appearance.
  • Stat Allocation: Distributing points into attributes like strength, agility, or defense.
  • Choice and Consequence: Dialogue options or mission choices that affect the narrative or unlock new paths.

The presence of "dynamic and branching stages, side missions and events" further reinforces the RPG influence, suggesting that players will have agency in how they navigate New Babylon and uncover its secrets. This adds significant replayability and depth, moving beyond a linear brawling experience to one where player choices and character development truly matter.

The Dystopian World of New Babylon

The setting of Pure Onyx is as much a character as Onyx herself. A "dystopian future" where a city is "overrun by crime and corruption" provides a fertile ground for intense action and a compelling narrative. This is the essence of cyberpunk, a genre that Pure Onyx embraces wholeheartedly.

Cyberpunk Aesthetics and 80s Anime Inspiration

The game is explicitly set in a "cyberpunk universe" and "is inspired by 80s cyberpunk anime." This immediately paints a vivid picture for potential players. Imagine a world of towering skyscrapers bathed in neon glow, gritty back alleys, advanced technology juxtaposed with societal decay, and a pervasive sense of corporate control or lawlessness. This aesthetic, popularized by works like "Akira," "Ghost in the Shell," and "Blade Runner," resonates deeply with fans of the genre. The 3D animation aims to bring this vision to life, promising detailed environments and fluid character models that capture the essence of classic anime while leveraging modern graphical capabilities. The community around cyberpunk, boasting "867k subscribers in the cyberpunk community" on platforms like Reddit, demonstrates a massive appetite for this particular blend of science fiction and social commentary, indicating a strong potential audience for Pure Onyx.

The Heroine Onyx and Her Struggle

At the heart of this dark world is Onyx, the game's protagonist. She is a "young woman named Onyx who must fight her way through a city overrun by crime and corruption." Her journey is one of resilience and raw power as she "brawls her way through the dystopian streets of New Babylon." The plot, described as "straightforward but effective, providing just enough" narrative context, ensures that Onyx's struggle remains the central focus. She is not just a player avatar; she is a symbol of defiance against an oppressive society. The emphasis on her brawling and fighting highlights her agency and determination in a world that seeks to crush her. This personal struggle within a grand, lawless setting is a classic cyberpunk trope, making Onyx a relatable and compelling figure for players to embody.

Development Journey and Community Engagement

The journey of developing a game like Pure Onyx is rarely without its challenges, and Eromancer's experience is no exception. The provided data offers a candid look into the realities of indie game development, particularly concerning community support and funding.

A crucial insight reveals that "By the time Pure Onyx began, many of our monthly supporters were tired because updates were less fun / sexy and more technical. Most had left by this point, and funding was on fumes." This statement is profoundly telling. It indicates that Eromancer likely had a community built around previous projects, possibly with certain expectations regarding content (the mention of "sexy" updates hints at the "hentai beat 'em up RPG" tag found in the data). The shift towards more technical updates, while necessary for game development, led to supporter fatigue and a significant drop in funding. This highlights the delicate balance developers must maintain between technical progress and delivering content that keeps their community engaged and financially supportive.

Despite these hurdles, Eromancer maintains an open line of communication with its community. The directive "if you get any issues, please contact me either by commenting, or, messaging me on Reddit or my Discord" underscores a commitment to player support and feedback. This direct engagement, often seen on platforms like Itch.io where users can "See the post by Eromancer and the comments by other users," is vital for indie developers. It allows for real-time problem-solving, community building, and gathering valuable insights that can shape the game's development. The presence of "1.8k subscribers in the beatemups community" further demonstrates a niche but dedicated audience eager for new titles like Pure Onyx, providing a foundation of potential players who understand and appreciate the genre.

Dynamic Gameplay and Replayability

One of the most promising aspects of Pure Onyx, beyond its core beat 'em up mechanics and RPG elements, is its commitment to dynamic and varied gameplay. The game "features dynamic and branching stages, side missions and events." This is a significant departure from the often linear nature of traditional beat 'em ups, where players simply progress from one fixed level to the next. The inclusion of branching stages suggests that player choices, or perhaps in-game actions, can lead to different environments, enemy encounters, or narrative paths, enhancing the sense of agency and discovery.

Side missions and events further enrich the experience, offering diversions from the main storyline and opportunities for players to explore the dystopian world of New Babylon more thoroughly. These could range from rescuing civilians, taking on bounties, or uncovering hidden lore, all contributing to a more immersive and less predictable playthrough. This design philosophy directly contributes to the game's replayability. Players are encouraged to revisit the game to explore different branches, complete all side content, or simply experience Onyx's journey through a different lens. Coupled with the RPG progression, which allows for varied character builds, Pure Onyx promises an experience that evolves with each playthrough, ensuring that players have a reason to return to its gritty streets long after their first completion.

Technical Insights and Accessibility

Eromancer has also provided some practical technical details that enhance the accessibility of Pure Onyx for players. The instruction "No install required, just run pure.exe as admin" is a welcome feature for many. This direct execution method simplifies the process of getting into the game, bypassing traditional installation procedures that can sometimes be cumbersome or require specific system configurations. While running as administrator is a common requirement for certain applications, the lack of a formal installation package means players can often download and play the game almost immediately, making it highly convenient.

This approach also suggests a focus on a streamlined user experience, particularly for a game that might be distributed through platforms like Itch.io, where direct downloads are common. The emphasis on user support, with direct channels for reporting issues via "commenting, or, messaging me on Reddit or my Discord," further highlights a developer-player relationship built on direct communication and responsiveness. This level of accessibility and direct support contributes significantly to the trustworthiness of the developer and the overall positive experience for the player, ensuring that any technical hiccups can be addressed promptly and efficiently.

The Future of Pure Onyx

The journey for Pure Onyx is still unfolding, with the promise that "Once the game is in early access it will be available." Early access is a critical phase for many indie games, allowing developers to gather player feedback, refine mechanics, and add content based on community input before a full launch. This collaborative approach can be invaluable, especially for a game with branching paths and RPG elements where player choices and preferences can significantly impact the final product.

The mention from Eromancer about a potential "console" release, albeit a year ago in the provided data, suggests ambitions beyond PC. A console release would significantly expand the game's reach, bringing Pure Onyx to a broader audience of beat 'em up and RPG enthusiasts. While the challenges of funding and community engagement during development have been noted, the commitment to releasing the game, even in early access, demonstrates persistence. The continued engagement with communities on Itch.io, Reddit, and Discord will be crucial in building momentum and securing the necessary support to bring Pure Onyx to its full potential, ensuring it can truly shine as a unique entry in the cyberpunk beat 'em up genre.

Why Pure Onyx Matters

Pure Onyx stands out not just as another game, but as a testament to independent game development's resilience and creativity. It's a project that dares to blend classic arcade action with the depth of role-playing, all wrapped in a visually striking cyberpunk package inspired by beloved 80s anime. Its commitment to dynamic stages and side missions promises a game that respects player agency and encourages replayability, moving beyond the linear confines often associated with its genre.

The candid insights into its development, including the struggles with funding and managing community expectations, offer a valuable glimpse into the realities faced by passionate creators. This transparency, coupled with direct lines of communication for player support, builds a strong foundation of trust between Eromancer and its audience. As Pure Onyx moves towards early access, it represents more than just a game; it embodies a community-driven effort to bring a unique vision to life. For fans of beat 'em ups, RPGs, and the cyberpunk aesthetic, Pure Onyx offers a compelling reason to pay attention, promising a gritty, engaging, and deeply immersive experience in the dystopian future of New Babylon.

Conclusion

In summary, Pure Onyx is poised to be a significant entry in the beat 'em up RPG genre, offering a unique blend of classic brawling action and deep character progression within a compelling cyberpunk universe. With its striking 3D animation, dynamic stages, and a resilient heroine named Onyx, the game promises an immersive journey through the crime-ridden streets of New Babylon. Despite development challenges, Eromancer's commitment to community engagement and delivering a high-quality, accessible experience remains strong.

Are you ready to brawl your way through a dystopian future? What are your thoughts on beat 'em ups with RPG elements? Share your expectations for Pure Onyx in the comments below! Don't forget to follow Eromancer's progress on Itch.io and join the discussion on Reddit or Discord to stay updated on this exciting title.

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