DaRmaZat Dark sci-fi first-person shooter Evade the Light is preparing to open a public playtest on PC via Steam, developer and publisher AzDimension announced. The upcoming test will be available to all players and marks a major milestone for the project, which is currently in alpha and scheduled to launch at a later, unannounced date.
Update – January 26, 2026: The playtest is now live.
Set in a near-future version of Azerbaijan, Evade the Light takes place after a paranormal anomaly erupts in a remote mountain region at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. The incident warps the laws of nature, erases entire scientific expeditions, and leaves behind a hostile zone filled with monsters, spirits, and temporal distortions. Players assume the role of a scientist entering the anomaly to uncover its origin while confronting fragments of his own past.
The public playtest is designed to showcase the game’s core mechanics, including its atmospheric combat system, weapon variety, and modern visual presentation. Players will be able to explore four locations, consisting of the main open zone and three distinct boss areas, each introducing unique threats and encounters. Combat emphasizes adaptability, with access to advanced military technology and upgradeable abilities to survive increasingly dangerous situations.
AzDimension describes Evade the Light as an open-world experience that can be explored freely from start to finish, with progression driven by discovery rather than linear structure. Elements such as parallel worlds, time-based threats, and powerful guardians shape the game’s darker tone, reinforcing its focus on tension and mystery. Feedback gathered during the playtest will directly influence balance, gameplay systems, and the future direction of development.
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