Turkish game studio Elyzio recently unveiled Pera Coda, an isometric narrative mystery adventure. The game, set in Istanbul‘s historic Pera neighborhood, draws inspiration from the city’s architecture and emotional atmosphere, aiming to blend memory, place, and time into a rich story.
“This is both a love letter to our city and a universal human story about guilt, regret, and the search for peace,” said Ahmet Kazanci, Pera Coda’s Art Director. He explained the game is “rooted in a surreal reimagining of Istanbul, real locations, rich with local nuance and emotional texture that are rarely seen in games. Istanbul becomes both a stage and a mirror, where East meets West, chaos meets calm, and each district reflects a piece of your fragmented self.”
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Elyzio is an independent game studio and publisher founded by a team with roots in Turkey and professional experience at companies like Ubisoft and Google. After self-publishing their first title, Warden’s Will, Elyzio has expanded into publishing, supporting emerging developers like the newly formed studio Falan on their debut title, Pera Coda. Additionally, Pera Coda is being developed by a newly formed, narrative-focused studio under Elyzio called Falan.
The studio began with three architecture students captivated by the raw, chaotic beauty of Istanbul and the deeply human stories embedded in its streets. They began creating a series of concept videos, which quickly gained traction. Now, they’ve joined Elyzio to transform that vision into a full-fledged game with global ambitions.
What is Pera Coda?
Pera Coda thrusts players into an “existential trial” as Deniz, an attorney caught between life and death. You assume the roles of both judge and defendant in the reckoning of Deniz’s soul. The gameplay emphasizes a deeply psychological narrative, with impactful dialogue choices and layered environmental puzzles.
As players progress, they confront Deniz’s traumatic memories, uncover hidden truths, and solve intricate mysteries while exploring an evolving world. The developers highlight Pera Coda as an accessible and emotionally resonant experience for players seeking mature, narrative-rich storytelling.
Key Features
- A Man Trapped Between Life and Death: Play as Deniz, stuck in a purgatory-like loop, where progress intertwines with emotional breakthroughs as he confronts his past.
- Deep Narrative and Puzzle Integration: Engage with a psychological story filled with mysteries to uncover, driven by branching dialogue and integrated puzzles.
- Istanbul as a Character: Explore a surreal rendition of Istanbul, featuring iconic real-world locations that serve as both a stage and a mirror to Deniz’s journey.
- Striking Visuals: Immerse yourself in a visually distinct world, from neon-lit alleys to haunting dreamscapes, all crafted with an isometric lens to highlight environmental clues and symbolic elements.
- Accessible Gameplay: Experience complex emotional storytelling through intuitive point-and-click mechanics, focusing on exploration, dialogue, and choice without combat or grinding.
