Vholume, a first-person parkour game described as a "melancholic adventure," is set to release on August 21. The game hails from one of the French developers behind Straftat, which was lauded as 2024's best FPS. Unlike the expected energetic soundtracks for the genre, Vholume opts for dejected, atmospheric synths accompanied by the sounds of footsteps and exertion.
A recent trailer showcased the game's environments, characterized by overgrown, brutalist structures, and revealed its multiplayer component. Players can engage in races against friends in real-time or compete against recorded ghost data. Despite its ambitious scope, Vholume is being developed by a team of only three people, according to its Steam page.
The game's dystopian setting, featuring elements like "liminality" and a plot where the protagonist seeks "ration tickets" for their family, aligns with themes often found in parkour titles. The developers position Vholume as an anti-authoritarian experience, using the freedom of movement inherent in parkour to underscore its narrative.
Those interested in Vholume can find a demo available on its Steam page. The game joins a growing number of titles exploring parkour mechanics, including inspirations like Mirror's Edge and games such as Hot Lava.