If you’ve been craving PS1-style vehicular combat mixed with high-speed racing, mark your calendar for December 19th. Airframe Ultra, the dystopian battle-racer from VIDEOCULT (the studio behind Rain World), launches its fourth beta test this Friday. The update brings new rider Marcus 0743, a fresh map called Estate, and tons of other additions to an already chaotic multiplayer experience that’s been turning heads since its first public test in January.
Death Racing Comes to Megacity West
Airframe Ultra throws players onto combat jetbikes called Airframes in the lawless streets of Megacity West, specifically the dystopian Southlands region. This isn’t your friendly neighborhood racing league. It’s an underground death sport where first place is worth the extremely high risk of decapitation. Players compete in split-screen and online multiplayer, bashing opponents with pipes, chains, and plasma torches while boosting past wreckage to claim victory.
The game captures that specific early 3D era aesthetic with low-poly models, chunky textures, and bold colors that defined PlayStation 1 classics. But unlike many retro throwbacks that lean into jank for authenticity, Airframe Ultra combines vintage visuals with modern responsive controls. The hoverbikes handle amazingly according to beta testers, offering precise control while maintaining that white-knuckle speed the genre demands.
What’s New in Beta 4
The biggest addition is Marcus 0743, a new playable rider joining the roster. While VIDEOCULT hasn’t detailed his backstory yet, each character in Airframe Ultra comes with unique aesthetics and personality in a world where style matters as much as speed. The Estate map expands the battleground options, giving players new environments to master. Estate joins the existing track roster that’s been refined through previous beta tests.
VIDEOCULT mentioned tons of other adds in their announcement but kept details vague, likely saving surprises for players who jump into the beta. Previous tests have introduced new weapons, refined combat mechanics, and balanced the interplay between racing and fighting. The fourth beta should continue this trend of polish and content expansion as the team prepares for the full 2025 launch.
Combat That Goes Deeper Than Button Mashing
At first glance, Airframe Ultra might look like mindless vehicular carnage, and honestly, you can absolutely play it that way. Button mashing your way to victory was a relatively common tactic during earlier betas. However, the game contains surprising depth once you start experimenting. The power of melee strikes scales with your speed, making velocity management crucial. Do you slow down for tighter cornering or maintain momentum for devastating attacks?
The community on Discord and YouTube has been discovering advanced techniques by experimenting with different mechanics. Boost management, weapon selection, positioning for attacks, and understanding when to race versus when to fight all factor into high-level play. Beta veterans have pulled off impressive maneuvers that showcase the skill ceiling lurking beneath the chaotic surface.
The PS1 Aesthetic Renaissance
Airframe Ultra joins a growing wave of indie games embracing early 3D visuals. Games like Cruelty Squad, Gloomwood, Chop Goblins, and Bloodwash prove there’s genuine appetite for this aesthetic beyond simple nostalgia. The PS1 look allows smaller teams to create visually distinctive games without requiring massive art budgets, while offering creative freedom through stylization rather than photorealism.
Unlike pixel art which dominated indies a decade ago, PS1 graphics let developers explore fully 3D spaces with unique color palettes and environmental design. The intentional low resolution and texture warping that characterized the original PlayStation now read as deliberate artistic choices rather than technical limitations. For players who grew up with these visuals, it’s comfort food. For younger gamers, it’s a fresh aesthetic they never experienced.
From Rain World to Road Rash
VIDEOCULT earned cult status with Rain World, the brutally difficult survival platformer about a slugcat navigating a hostile ecosystem. That game became known for its sophisticated AI predators and unforgiving difficulty that demanded players learn or die repeatedly. Airframe Ultra represents a dramatic genre shift but maintains VIDEOCULT’s commitment to deep systems and player skill expression.
Publisher Akupara Games has built a reputation supporting creative indie projects that take risks. Their involvement suggests confidence in Airframe Ultra’s potential to carve out space in the combat racing genre dominated by classics like Twisted Metal and Road Rash. The split-screen multiplayer especially positions it as a modern take on couch co-op chaos that defined those earlier games.
How to Join Beta 4
Beta 4 kicks off Friday, December 19th. Players need to join the Airframe Ultra Discord server to get access codes and instructions for the test. Previous betas ran for weekend windows, so expect this one to follow a similar schedule. VIDEOCULT has been responsive to community feedback throughout testing, using each beta to refine balance, add content, and polish the experience.
If you can’t make the beta window, don’t worry. After each test closes, VIDEOCULT typically releases an offline demo so players can practice and explore at their own pace. The full game is scheduled to launch on PC via Steam sometime in 2025, though no specific date has been announced yet. The continued beta testing suggests the developers want to nail the multiplayer experience before committing to a release window.
Why Combat Racing Deserves a Comeback
Vehicular combat racing peaked in the late 90s and early 2000s with franchises like Twisted Metal, Vigilante 8, and Road Rash defining the genre. These games offered something distinct from pure racing or pure combat: the tension between maintaining speed while positioning for attacks. Modern racing games went hyper-realistic, while combat games became third-person shooters. The marriage of both got left behind.
Airframe Ultra arrives at a moment when players are hungry for gameplay-focused experiences that prioritize fun over realism. The success of games like Rollerdrome proved there’s still appetite for stylized combat racing. By combining retro aesthetics with responsive modern controls and deep multiplayer systems, VIDEOCULT might have found the recipe to revive a dormant genre.
FAQs
When does Airframe Ultra Beta 4 start?
Beta 4 begins on Friday, December 19th, 2025. Players need to join the Airframe Ultra Discord server to sign up and receive access codes for the test.
What’s new in Airframe Ultra Beta 4?
Beta 4 adds new rider Marcus 0743, a new map called Estate, and numerous other additions and improvements that VIDEOCULT is keeping under wraps until the beta launches.
Who is developing Airframe Ultra?
Airframe Ultra is being developed by VIDEOCULT, the indie studio behind Rain World, and published by Akupara Games. The game features PS1-style visuals and combat racing gameplay.
What platforms is Airframe Ultra coming to?
Airframe Ultra is confirmed for PC via Steam with a planned 2025 release. No console versions have been announced yet.
Does Airframe Ultra have split-screen multiplayer?
Yes, Airframe Ultra supports both split-screen local multiplayer and online multiplayer, letting you compete with friends regardless of setup.
What is Airframe Ultra about?
Airframe Ultra is a fast-paced battle-racer set in dystopian Megacity West where players race combat hoverbikes called Airframes. You can attack opponents with melee weapons like pipes, chains, and plasma torches while racing through underground death sport circuits.
Can I play Airframe Ultra if I miss the beta?
Yes, VIDEOCULT typically releases an offline demo after each beta test closes, allowing players to practice and explore the game solo while waiting for the next test or full release.
How does combat work in Airframe Ultra?
Combat revolves around melee weapons that deal damage based on your speed. Players must balance maintaining velocity for powerful strikes against precise maneuvering to position attacks. The game rewards both aggressive fighting and pure racing skill.
Conclusion
Airframe Ultra Beta 4 represents another step toward reviving a genre that’s been dormant for too long. Combat racing offered something special: the adrenaline of high-speed competition mixed with the chaos of vehicular destruction. By wrapping these mechanics in PS1-style visuals and adding modern responsive controls, VIDEOCULT is creating something that feels both nostalgic and fresh. The addition of Marcus 0743 and the Estate map shows continued content expansion, while the ongoing beta testing demonstrates commitment to nailing the multiplayer experience before launch. Whether you’re a Rain World fan curious about VIDEOCULT’s genre shift, a veteran of Road Rash and Twisted Metal looking for that old feeling, or just someone who appreciates retro aesthetics done right, Beta 4 this Friday offers a chance to experience what might become 2025’s sleeper multiplayer hit. Join the Discord, grab your code, and get ready to thrash some fools on hover bikes this December 19th.