Elementa Studio’s detective anime action game “Silver Palace” continues to attract attention. The project recently completed its second closed beta, successfully appeared in various exhibitions, and is currently preparing to be showcased at gamescom 2026. The game fascinates with its unusual Victorian setting, steampunk elements, deep detective system and Art Nouveau (modern) aesthetic.
Korean portal website Because of the text We discussed development, story, and release plans with Elementa Korea representative Lee Jaehyun, and we’ve gleaned the most important things from this interview for you.
- In “Silver Palace”, players play the role of detectives in the fictional metropolis Silvernia and must work with companions of different personalities and abilities to solve mysteries, conspiracies and crimes. The main feature of the game is the organic combination of a thoughtful investigation process with dynamic and spectacular action battles and advanced graphics. The developers express their deep gratitude to all those who are interested in the project and invite players who did not participate in the second closed beta to actively participate in future tests, pending the official release.
- The name “Silver Palace” was not chosen by chance, as it symbolically reflects the entire essence of the game’s worldview. The story takes place in a Victorian industrial metropolis that rapidly grows due to the use of a unique resource – liquid silver, culminating in a fierce struggle between factions for power and control of this energy source. The city’s visual style is deeply permeated with classical art and elegant Art Nouveau aesthetics, creating the luxurious atmosphere that the author attempts to emphasize with the word “palace.” From the first minutes of playing the game, the user will understand that the concept of precious metals is the basis for the entire story and plot.
- Full development of the program began about three years ago and an extensive international team is working on it. Experts from several countries, including China, South Korea and Singapore, worked together to create the game, with multiple experiences available. The team building process is still in progress, and the Korean branch is constantly looking for new talents to expand staff size and improve product quality.
- The choice of an unusual setting, combining light elements of the Victorian era, steampunk and the detective genre, was dictated by the art team’s personal preferences and the desire to stand out from other anime games. The author deliberately abandons the traditional dirty attributes of steampunk, such as engine oil, giant gears and smoky air, relying on technology that is pure, bright and powered by liquid silver. The detective profession is a classic symbol of its time, which perfectly connects all game mechanics: from exploring locations to combat and solving puzzles. The plot is constructed in the form of an almanac and focuses on personal investigation, helping players gradually become familiar with the different social classes in the metropolis, and also giving developers unlimited space to expand the story.
- To create a believable world, the artists conducted extensive research, poring over historical sources in detail and even personally visiting various European cities. When designing the site, great attention was paid to the smallest details of the architecture, interior decoration and street objects, so that the metropolis feels truly alive and lived in, rather than just a beautiful decoration. When converting the characters from 2D illustrations to 3D models, the team made every effort to retain their unique charm, designing the models so that the characters look natural and attractive from any angle.
- The musical accompaniment of this project actively uses classic works by great composers such as Beethoven, Handel, Vivaldi, Bizet, and Verdi. The developers did not arrange it directly, but combined the classical foundation with modern electronic sound, film structure and background noise, integrating the concept of “classical and modern harmony” into life. Each character has a unique musical theme. For example, the protagonist’s theme is adapted from Vivaldi’s work “Summer” from “The Four Seasons”. The melody dynamically changes based on the character’s emotional state, and during the heat of battle, it transforms into a powerful and driving electronic mix.
- The mechanics of using grappling hooks and mechanical Pegasus movement are not only intended as a means of acceleration, but are also important tools for deep immersion in the atmosphere of Silvernia. Grappling Hook reimagines traditional planar travel, allowing players to scale the rooftops of high-rise buildings and find hidden secrets that would be easily missed if they were only on the ground. Available to users from the very beginning of the game with no unlocks, Pegasus is a unique combination of Victorian design and liquid silver technology that immediately gives you a sense of the unusual culture of the game world. Additionally, the creators are currently considering adding historic classic cars to the game as part of future collaborations.
- The design of the detective system focuses on strict logic and rationality, giving players an experience comparable to reading a high-quality detective novel. The investigative process consists of several consecutive stages: thorough examination of the crime scene, collection of evidence, interrogation of suspects, and analysis of clues to uncover the truth. The main plot is intentionally devoid of complex terminology to make it easy and natural to understand, which has been positively reviewed by test participants. For fans of complex puzzles, the author plans to regularly add more complex investigations to the game in the form of side quests.
- The combat system is built on the stark contrast between the hero’s elegant appearance and the aggressive, devastating attack animations in combat. The action is based on blocking and precise dodge mechanics, which creates a high level of tension and demands maximum concentration and reaction speed from the player. The concept of combat directly resonates with the detective theme. Players must carefully observe the enemy’s behavior, find its weaknesses, break through the defense, and deliver the final blow. To ensure comfort for players of varying skill levels, the game offers two difficulty levels to keep combat dynamic but allow you to customize your gameplay.
- The developers understand the importance of optimization on such a large and detailed project, so this work is ongoing alongside the creation of new content. While final minimum and recommended system requirements have not yet been finalized or disclosed, the team is actively analyzing data from the closed beta. The studio’s main goal at this stage is to ensure the smoothest and most comfortable gaming experience on all supported devices at launch.
- Elementa’s philosophy is to create a game that audiences will remember for a long time, prioritizing building long-term trust rather than simply showcasing new technology. A global development structure, including experts from different countries, enables you to find new ideas and share best practices. The studio’s Korean department does more than just perform technical support or basic text localization functions. Local experts were directly involved in the creation of the game, carefully gathering feedback from the Korean community and implementing these ideas into the project. Authors want their creations to be seen as products created with a deep understanding of audience expectations and cultural context.
- The project is increasingly moving to offline spaces. In July, the game was successfully unveiled at major international festivals such as BilibiliWorld, Los Angeles Anime Expo, and Paris Japan Expo. The developers will participate in Gamescom 2026 at the end of August. Also planning to participate in Korean gaming events.
At the end of the interview, the author expressed his sincere gratitude to fans for the incredible support, constructive criticism, and love they have received since the release of the first trailer, adding that this is just the beginning of Silver Palace’s long journey.
