In a gaming landscape littered with stories of promising projects lost to development hell, the return of ALARA Prime is a big deal. Revealed last week during the PC Gaming Show with a sleek new trailer and a new closed playtest, it’s poised for a fresh assault on the tactical shooter space. The showcase marks a welcome resurrection for a game that just months ago seemed doomed, following its near-collapse after losing its publishing partner.
As someone who has followed ALARA Prime’s development closely, having participated in several alpha playtests myself, the trailer’s arrival is more than just a news item; it’s a victory lap for a once-struggling game that I really, really want to see made.
A Challenging 2024
For Swedish studio Fall Damage, 2024 was a roller coaster. Composed of former DICE veterans with credits on iconic franchises like Battlefield and Medal of Honor, ALARA Prime’s momentum was finally beginning to snowball. Then, disaster; the team faced a major setback, one that had killed off so many studios before it. Losing their publishing partner in mid-2024 could have been a death knell, but thanks to the unwavering passion of its developers –and a newly secured partnership with Hyperjump Interactive– the game has not only survived but looks poised to finally kick on and shine in 2025.
“2024 was a challenging year,” admitted Design Director Yoni Rabinowitz speaking with The Nerd Stash. “But our new partnership has been invaluable—not just in terms of resources, but in reigniting our belief in ALARA Prime and what it can become. It’s been a chance for us to regroup, reflect, and refocus on the game we’re so passionate about.”
The renewed vigor shows. Fall Damage has doubled down on its commitment to delivering a unique FPS experience, where its three-team, 4v4v4 gameplay introduces tactical dynamics rarely seen in competitive shooters.
Why ALARA Prime Matters
Image source: Fall Damage
If you’ve read my playtest from earlier this year, you’ll know that ALARA Prime left a strong impression. The game borrows mechanics from genre icons like Valorant, Counter-Strike, and Rainbow Six Siege but packages them in a distinctive 4v4v4 format. Two attacking teams converge on a defending squad to secure an “Uplink” objective, creating dynamic strategies and unpredictable encounters.
Beyond the gameplay’s foundational intrigue, ALARA Prime sets itself apart with its arsenal of utility. From silencing footsteps with the Mute Field to revealing enemy locations via Spotting Beacons, each gadget encourages innovative team play. As Yoni Rabinowitz pointed out, “It’s a game that asks you to make strategic choices no other FPS does.”
On that last point, it has to be said that despite the positivity, it’s worth noting that ALARA Prime isn’t without its hurdles. In earlier builds, the sheer variety of gadgets bordered on overwhelming, especially for new players. Additionally, the 4v4v4 format, while fresh, posed challenges for map design. Sometimes, areas of the map felt underutilized, lacking the early-round battles for control seen in games like CS2.
To their credit, Fall Damage is tackling these issues head-on. According to Rabinowitz, the latest playtests have focused heavily on map refinement, including decluttering environments, improving lighting, and enhancing cover placement:
For this latest playtest, we’ve focused on exciting updates, particularly on the Art direction side of things. We heard the feedback from the community and players will notice reworked lighting for environments to help gameplay, character updates that improve readability and add visual flair, as well as improved UI menus across the entire game.
We’ve made significant map improvements – with decluttering levels, smarter use of colours, new in-level dynamic screens that feature player highlights, better strategic cover placement and prop collision improvements. Mechanics wise, we’ve been revising some gadgets and made some subtle but important improvements to our character movement and collision.
Elsewhere, he noted that the team has introduced a revamped onboarding system designed to help new players acclimate to the game more easily, addressing concerns about the learning curve. Beyond these immediate improvements, the developers are also working on innovative long-term design features, which they’re keeping under wraps for now but are eager to unveil to the community in the future.
The Road Ahead
Image source: Fall Damage
Scheduled for Early Access in 2025, ALARA Prime is now backed by Hyperjump Interactive, a new publisher that appears equally committed to the project’s success. Founded in 2024, Hyperjump aims to spotlight innovative gaming experiences, making ALARA Prime their debut title. Its investment represents financial backing and a vote of confidence in a game and a studio that some had written off.
In a recent statement, Fall Damage extended heartfelt thanks to the community, whose feedback has been instrumental. “We’ve been refining gunplay, gadgets, and game mode balance with their input,” Rabinowitz noted. “It’s a collaborative journey, and we’re thrilled to have players shape the final product.”
Having played ALARA Prime during its alpha stages and witnessed its potential firsthand, it’s thrilling to see the game rise from the ashes. The tactical shooter genre thrives on innovation, and ALARA Prime is delivering just that: a fresh take with room to grow.
For fans of tactical shooters, the trailer’s release marks a fresh leaf for a game that has huge potential. For Fall Damage, it’s proof that resilience, community, and vision can turn near tragedy into triumph. As we look ahead to 2025, ALARA Prime has reclaimed its spot on the radar, and this time I really hope it’s here to stay.
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