Awaysis Feels like a Spiritual Successor to Power Stone, with Music from Pokemon’s Legendary Composer

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I can’t stop thinking about Power Stone 2! It’s been over twenty years since Capcom released it, and it’s still one of the most fun multiplayer games I’ve ever played. The fast-paced, physics-based battles, collecting items during the fight, and the overall craziness of it all make it a truly special experience.

I still don’t understand why Capcom hasn’t given this game more attention, leaving it largely forgotten while fans have had to make do. While the two games in the series were recently included in the Capcom Fighting Collection 2 with some improvements, it honestly feels like a small effort after a long wait.

During a hands-on demo of the indie game Awaysis at PAX East 2026, I was surprised by how fun it was. About ten minutes in, I realized the fast-paced movement, physics-based fighting, and chaotic arena battles reminded me a lot of the classic game Power Stone. I even stopped playing for a moment just to say it out loud!

It absolutely is. But it’s also so much more than that.

Sailing… Takes Me Away(sis)

Awaysis is a cooperative action game where you and a friend battle your way through dungeons, powered by realistic physics. Created by the team behind Skulls of the Shogun and GALAK-Z, the game takes place in a beautiful, floating world that’s under attack by a Dark Lord and his funny, clumsy minions called Grimlins. You’ll play as one of a group of small creatures tasked with climbing a floating mountain, fixing the world’s water supply, and even convincing a frog to leave a hot tub! It’s a lighthearted and silly game with a bright, colorful world that’s instantly appealing. The environments feel like something out of a storybook, encouraging you to explore every nook and cranny.

Despite its charming appearance, this game is surprisingly challenging and fun. The combat is fast-paced and relies on skillful movement and physics, feeling wonderfully chaotic from the start. You’ll be sliding, bumping, and launching enemies into hazards – and even mistakes can lead to awesome results! Powerful attacks are easy to pull off – like a strong uppercut with both triggers, or a devastating sword slam from above. It’s instantly accessible and satisfying to play, but offers a surprising amount of strategic depth for those who want to master it.

Raj Joshi, the COO of 17-BIT, really wanted to highlight how their games strike a balance between being easy to pick up and offering a lot of depth during our conversation.

He explained that he wants the game to be easy for anyone to pick up and play, even people who aren’t regular gamers. But he also wants it to have enough strategic depth so that skilled players have a clear advantage.

He’s right – the fighting system is really cool. If you block three attacks in a row, you get stacking stars that stun enemies around you. It’s a great reward for players who can stay calm and time their blocks well, rather than just button-mashing (which I definitely do!). You can link slides, dodges, and attacks together to create a smooth, stylish flow, and it feels fantastic when you pull it off.

The Toybox Goes Deep

The game’s magic system lets you control fire, water, and earth, each with two levels of strength. Fire lets you throw fireballs, water creates waves, and earth magic can even form a huge, steerable spike ball. You can also use a variety of weapons – swords, axes, hammers, and spears – each with its own unique attack. Almost anything you find, like food or items dropped by enemies, can be thrown as a weapon. While I didn’t try it out, the game also allows you to share food with teammates or knock items away from opponents. This level of interaction is one of the game’s best features, encouraging you to try out different things and see what happens.

The game features rails players can grab onto and speed along, launching off to discover new locations – a move reminiscent of Ratchet & Clank that adds a lot of dynamic movement beyond just fighting. From sliding down hills and catching fire, to quickly extinguishing yourself in water, Awaysis is packed with spontaneous, funny physical moments that feel natural and unscripted.

Hip Tanaka’s Playground

The game’s music plays a key role in creating a unified experience, changing to match the on-screen action. During intense battles, the music swells, while it becomes more subdued during calmer moments. This fantastic soundtrack was composed by Hip Tanaka, a renowned composer known for his work on classic games like Metroid, EarthBound, and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. He also spent about ten years creating music for The Pokemon Company.

Joshi was clearly excited about getting the composer on board. He explained they simply contacted him and asked if he’d be interested in working on the project, adding with a smile, “We reached out and were like, ‘Hey, do you want to help?'” The composer created all the music for the game, and even in the initial playable versions, it’s obvious the audio quality is outstanding.

Multiplayer Makes it Less “Dangerous to Go Alone”

When Awaysis launches, it will feature a 24-level campaign taking players through diverse environments like grassy fields and fiery caves. The game also includes plenty of multiplayer options. Up to four players can team up to play through the campaign either locally or online. If a player is defeated, teammates have 10 seconds to revive them – otherwise, the team loses a life.

Beyond the main game, players can enjoy Brawly Ball, a soccer-inspired player-versus-player mode, as well as King of the Hill and other competitive modes that are still being revealed. Considering how much this game focuses on fun, competitive experiences with friends on the same screen, these modes feel like a core part of the package, not just something added on as an afterthought.

Even if Awaysis isn’t widely called the spiritual successor to Power Stone, the inspiration is clear, and it truly lives up to that legacy. 17-BIT didn’t just try to recreate a feeling – they’ve crafted a game with its own unique personality and a compelling world. For those of us who’ve been hoping for a game to fill the void left by Capcom’s Power Stone, Awaysis could be exactly what we’ve been waiting for – a fast-paced, chaotic dungeon brawler.

Awaysis will be released on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. You can also try a free demo of the game on Steam right now.

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2026-04-14 22:11