Last week, a new game trailer caught everyone’s attention — not just in India but globally. Within days, it gathered hundreds of thousands of views on platforms like IGN and Sony PlayStation’s official channels. What made it even more special was that it wasn’t padded with pre-rendered CGI cinematics. Instead, the trailer was made entirely from real-time recorded gameplay clips, and what we saw looked surprisingly polished.
Yes, we’re talking about Mukti, a game being developed under Sony’s India Hero Project. This article dives deep into what Mukti is, who’s making it, what kind of gameplay you can expect, when it might release, and why the trailer has sparked such buzz. I’ll also share what impressed me, what looked rough, and why this game matters for the Indian gaming industry.
1. What Exactly Is Mukti?
Mukti is a first-person exploration game where players step into the shoes of Arya, a young woman investigating the mysterious disappearance of her grandfather. Her search leads her to an abandoned museum, which quickly becomes the central stage of the entire story.
Unlike traditional action-heavy titles, Mukti is designed as a narrative-driven experience. There are no guns, no massive battles, and no explosions every five seconds. Instead, the focus is on immersion, discovery, and storytelling.
The game also deals with a serious subject: human trafficking. The developers consulted real-life survivors to shape the authenticity of the story. This already sets Mukti apart from typical “entertainment-first” games, since it wants to blend meaningful storytelling with engaging gameplay.
2. The Story and Themes of Mukti
At its heart, Mukti is about uncovering secrets. Arya’s missing grandfather is the hook, but the abandoned museum is where most of the action happens. The museum itself is treated like a character — alive with clues, hidden artifacts, puzzles, and storytelling elements that gradually reveal more about both the central mystery and India’s broader cultural history.
The word Mukti itself means “liberation” in Hindi, and from the very beginning, the trailer makes it clear that this theme of freedom will be central — not just for Arya, but also as a metaphor for victims of trafficking and perhaps even a symbolic reflection on India’s own cultural heritage.
3. How Exploration and Puzzle Mechanics Work
Before we get into technical details, let’s talk about how the game actually plays. Mukti is heavily influenced by exploration mechanics where progress is tied to environmental storytelling.
Imagine walking through the museum and stumbling upon:
- A poster tucked behind a pillar.
- A locket hidden inside a dusty drawer.
- An artifact that, once examined, reveals a deeper story.
You analyze, solve puzzles, and gradually piece together both the main plot and optional side stories.
This style of gameplay isn’t designed for everyone. If you’re into high-octane combat or competitive multiplayer, Mukti won’t scratch that itch. Instead, it’s for players who enjoy slower, thought-provoking experiences that reward patience, curiosity, and attention to detail.
4. Inspirations Behind the Game
The developers have openly stated that Mukti is inspired by games like Firewatch and Tacoma.
- In Firewatch, you mostly wander through a forest, picking up clues and uncovering hidden stories.
- In Tacoma, you explore a space station, interacting with objects and holograms to understand what happened.
Both games rely less on combat and more on immersion and atmosphere — exactly what Mukti seems to be aiming for.
5. Who Is Making Mukti? The Studio and Developer Background
Mukti is being developed by Underdogs Studio, led by Vaibhav Chavan — a veteran of the Indian gaming industry since 2007.
- The studio has worked extensively on client projects but has fewer original IPs.
- Mukti was originally prototyped in Unity as a vertical slice back in 2017. It even won the Best Upcoming Game Award at IGTC (beating early builds of Raji, which came second that year).
- In 2021, the project received a $25,000 Epic MegaGrant, which allowed the team to switch development to Unreal Engine.
- By 2022, a teaser had been shown, though development wasn’t continuous.
For Vaibhav, Mukti is a dream project — something he didn’t want to rush or hype until it was ready to be shown again.
6. How Sony’s India Hero Project Is Supporting Mukti
A turning point came in 2024, when Mukti was selected as one of the five titles in the first batch of Sony’s India Hero Project. This initiative mirrors Sony’s successful China Hero Project, which helped developers there create culturally rich and globally recognized titles.
Sony isn’t just offering funding but also expert mentorship. Experienced developers who have worked on games like Returnal are advising the Mukti team. As Vaibhav himself explained, funding alone doesn’t guarantee a great game — experience matters more.
Sony’s involvement also raises the stakes. They’re known to be strict about deadlines and quality. If milestones aren’t met, they don’t hesitate to reshuffle teams or change leadership, as seen with other studios under their umbrella.
7. Is Mukti a AAA Game? Understanding Its Scope
One question many gamers have asked is whether Mukti is a AAA title. The answer is no.
- It isn’t AAA (blockbuster-level production).
- It isn’t even fully AA (mid-budget with ambitious features).
Instead, Mukti has a limited but focused scope. The campaign is expected to last 7–8 hours, though completionists who explore every nook and cranny could stretch it to 12–15 hours.
And honestly, that’s not a bad thing. Narrative-driven exploration games are at their best when they don’t overstay their welcome.
8. Game Engine and Technical Aspects
Mukti is currently being developed on Unreal Engine 5.5, the latest version at the time of writing. This means we can expect:
- High-fidelity textures.
- Improved lighting and fog effects.
- Realistic environmental interactions.
The trailer we’ve already seen was captured directly on a PS5. That means the game was actually played, recorded, and edited into a trailer — no CGI cheats.
9. Key Gameplay Features Highlighted So Far
Let’s break down what features have been confirmed:
- Dual language support: English and Hindi. This is huge for accessibility and cultural representation.
- PS5 DualSense features: Haptics, adaptive triggers, and motion controls will be deeply integrated. For example, you’ll feel vibrations when opening doors or interacting with objects.
- Full controller support on PC: While haptics won’t be as refined as PS5, PC players will still get full controller navigation.
- Achievements and collectibles: The game will have standard progression systems for completionists.
10. Mukti on PC vs PS5: What’s Different?
Sony has confirmed that Mukti will also come to PC. Here’s the breakdown:
- On PS5: Expect superior haptic feedback, optimized visuals, and smoother overall performance.
- On PC: Controller fully supported, but DualSense haptic features may not feel as immersive.
PC Specs (as per Steam listing):
- Minimum: GTX 1650.
- Recommended: RTX 4060 Ti.
Keep in mind these specs might change, as the team is prioritizing PS5 development first before PC optimization.
👉 Official Website: Mukti – The Game
11. Graphics, Details, and Trailer Impressions
The environments in the trailer look detailed and atmospheric. From museum hallways to artifact-filled rooms, textures and lighting feel impressive for a pre-alpha build.
But not everything was perfect. For instance:
- Arya’s hand animation looked a bit odd while fixing a statue.
- Running movement felt “wavy” and unsynchronized with footstep sounds.
These are early build quirks and can likely be fixed before release. Overall, the visuals strongly suggest a polished indie experience.
12. Why Mukti Matters for Indian Culture and Gaming
This is where Mukti truly stands out.
The game will weave Indian history and culture directly into its puzzles and narrative. For example, spotting a poster of Aryabhata might lead to a puzzle revealing more about his inventions.
This isn’t just for Indian gamers. Even many Indians today are disconnected from their own cultural history, and Mukti has the chance to reconnect players with forgotten stories.
We’ve seen how Japanese and Chinese games unapologetically celebrate their traditions (e.g., Ghost of Tsushima). Mukti could be India’s attempt to do the same — if executed well.
13. My Honest Opinion and Expectations
So, am I excited for Mukti? Yes — but cautiously.
- I’m excited because the story seems strong, the setting is unique, and the cultural representation is refreshing.
- I’m cautious because Underdogs Studio hasn’t released a big original title before, and this is still a pre-alpha build.
The good news is that Sony’s mentorship and strict oversight may help the game avoid common pitfalls. Still, until we see more polished gameplay closer to release, it’s better not to get overly hyped.
14. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is Mukti only on PS5?
No. It’s launching on PS5 and PC.
Q2. When will Mukti release?
There’s no official release date yet. Full development only started in February 2024, so it may take time.
Q3. How long is the game?
7–8 hours for the main story; up to 12–15 hours for full exploration.
Q4. What genre is Mukti?
It’s a first-person exploration and narrative puzzle game.
Q5. Why is Mukti important for Indian gaming?
Because it blends serious issues (like human trafficking) with Indian cultural storytelling, backed by Sony’s global platform.
15. Conclusion
Mukti isn’t trying to be the next blockbuster action game. Instead, it’s aiming to be something rarer: a thoughtful, story-rich experience rooted in Indian culture.
From its origins as a Unity prototype to its rebirth under Sony’s India Hero Project, the game’s journey has already been long and inspiring. And while there are still rough edges, Mukti represents a milestone for Indian game development.
If it delivers on its promise, it could pave the way for more culturally authentic Indian games in the global market.
Disclaimer
The game is still in pre-alpha development. All impressions are based on early builds and may change significantly before release.
Tags: Mukti game, Sony India Hero Project, Indian gaming industry, first-person exploration games, Underdogs Studio, Vaibhav Chavan, Unreal Engine 5 games, cultural storytelling in games
Hashtags: #Mukti #SonyIndiaHeroProject #IndianGaming #PS5 #PCGaming #IndieGames #UnrealEngine5
