Historical Adventure Action 'Zemsky Sobor' Released on VK Play

The game 'Zemsky Sobor' from the Russian game studio Cyberia Nova was released on VK Play on November 4. The release was specifically timed to coincide with Russia's Day of National Unity, and on this occasion, the developers held a closed presentation of the project for media and gaming industry experts.

'The presentation of the game 'Zemsky Sobor' on the Day of National Unity is a symbolic reminder that the strength of Russia has always been in the unity of its people. This game is not just a historical tale — it reflects the eternal value of national consensus, where the fate of the country depends on the wisdom and unity of its people,' emphasized the creative director of the studio, Sergey Russkikh, at the event.

'Zemsky Sobor' is a new game in the action-adventure genre from the developers of 'Smuta', who learned lessons from the project and aimed to avoid past mistakes while paying more attention to gameplay excitement.

Players are offered a story about events that unfolded after the Time of Troubles, told from the perspective of the Cossack Kirsha, a companion of Yuri Miloslavsky (the hero of 'Smuta'). The game immerses players in the behind-the-scenes intrigues of the Zemsky Sobor of 1613, when delegates gathered from all cities of the Russian state to elect a new tsar. Kirsha found himself caught up in the whirlpool of events surrounding the struggle for the throne. To prevent foreigners and traitors from ascending to the throne, the hero will need not only sharp wit and resourcefulness but also a keen saber.

The developers sought to find a balance between historical accuracy and an engaging gameplay narrative by employing the technique of the 'unreliable narrator' to present the events of the Time of Troubles through Kirsha’s eyes. This approach makes the story lively, unpredictable, and deeply atmospheric. The game features quests, ambushes, new characters, and cameos from historical figures, including False Dmitry III, Zemsky Yaryzhka with his 'investigative warrants', and the jester Solovey. The gameplay length will be about 6-7 hours.

In 'Zemsky Sobor', the main mechanics have been rethought, introducing a new system for the peaceful and combat movement of the protagonist and NPCs (non-playable characters), as well as new plot elements and interactive opportunities. The stealth system in the game is more flexible, offering players many more options and improved AI for enemies. The gaming experience is enhanced with QTE mechanics, mini-games, and other interaction systems with the environment: players can push a stuck merchant's cart, stoke the blacksmith's bellows, and perform other actions.

The Cyberia Nova team also redesigned most of the interfaces and added new ones. Hero progression has been simplified, and an interactive mini-map has been added for convenient navigation and clue hunting. Moreover, a faction screen for tracking political struggles and well-thought-out tutorial hints have been implemented. All of these changes have made the game more convenient and interesting, taking into account player feedback.

In 'Zemsky Sobor', the sound system for battles and stealth has been improved, and the musical accompaniment has become interactive and situational, incorporating folk instruments (gusli, svirel) and modern instruments. One of the jewels is the introductory Cossack song 'Sluzhba li, matyushka...' performed by the soloist of the Rostov Cossack ensemble. The character voiceovers were done by the 'Buka' studio, featuring famous voice actors from games like God of War, World of Warcraft, Dragon Age, and 'Smuta'. The voice of the main character Kirsha was provided by Vladimir Palynitsa.

Everyone who purchased 'Smuta' before the release of 'Zemsky Sobor' will receive the new game for free, and pre-order owners of 'Smuta' will receive a unique in-game item — the saber of Yuri Miloslavsky. The game has a 12+ age rating. 'Zemsky Sobor' will resonate with those who enjoy dynamic adventures immersed in historical context. The game will cost 613 rubles.

Cyberia Nova is a Russian game studio founded in Novosibirsk in 2015. The studio specializes in developing video games based on Unreal Engine 5.x, producing, game design, sound production, and other aspects of game development. The team consists of more than 60 qualified specialists.