Announced at TGS 2025, Demi and the Fractured Dream is an action-adventure game that looks like it is inspired by the N64 Legend of Zelda titles and similar games from that era. You play as Demi, a Voidsent exploring the world of Somnus.

The full game promises to have you exploring multiple different realms, but the preview build was much more focused. Annapurna and Yarn Owl were showing off a roughly 10-minute demo that featured combat, platforming, and a small amount of puzzle-solving.

Demi started off in a cavern that served as a basic tutorial, with enemies appearing for you to practice on. After getting used to the controls (and setting my camera to invert), it was time to go exploring.

A key item is Demi's feather, which I used to dig up gems, open gates, and solve puzzles. One puzzle had me triggering a switch to make a floating platform appear, but that platform wouldn't move until I used the feather to propel myself across the gap. In a later puzzle, I had to use my feather at just the right time so I could redirect a floating projectile to hit a distant trigger.

Combat is fairly straightforward, especially if you've played a 3D action-adventure game. Demi has attack and evade moves, along with a jump attack, and a slashing downward thrust. Demi appears to be vulnerable to damage even when attacking, so you do need to plan accordingly. This doesn't seem like a game that will reward aggressive play or button-mashing.

Demi has two healing spell charges that you can use whenever you need a health boost. These charges can be replenished at obelisks that are spread throughout the level. The obelisks also serve as checkpoints and upgrade shops. You can spend the treasure that Demi collects (from beating enemies or found in the level) for permanent upgrades that make your attacks stronger or faster.

Demi and the Fractured Dream uses a visual style that appears simple at first glance due to the lack of fine texture detail. What the textures lack is made up by the otherwise detailed world. It's a contrast that ends up making the game feel like a moving illustration. I'm looking forward to seeing how the developers use this contrast in more open environments versus the dungeon in the demo level.

Full disclosure: When I reached the end of the demo, the boss wiped the floor with me. With plenty of health for the boss (and only four health hearts for Demi), I initially thought the boss was intentionally overpowered to make the demo challenging, but then I thought back to the games that appeared to serve as Demi's inspiration. Classic action-adventure games had pattern-based bosses, and the same was true here. After taking a minute to watch how the boss was cycling through attacks and learning the pattern, I was able to defeat him without taking a single hit of damage.

One element of the demo that didn't feel quite as polished as the rest was the camera. In the demo, the camera felt a bit too loose, especially when trying to navigate while keeping an opponent in focus. Getting the camera right is not an easy task, but it is an absolute must for a 3D action-adventure title. In this genre, it's the type of thing that can make the difference between an OK game and a great game. Thankfully, Demi and the Fractured Dream isn't set for release until next year (and this was just the first demo), so there's plenty of time for improvement.

The TGS demo for Demi and the Fractured Dream was short but sweet and aptly conveys what the development team is trying to achieve. Assuming Yarn Owl Studios can hit its target, genre fans will have plenty to look forward to when the title is released in 2026.