Bollywood-Inspired RPG Aikyam Brings Dance-Based Combat to Steam Next Fest

Thousand Stars Studio Inc. has pulled back the curtain on its Bollywood-inspired turn-based RPG, Aikyam, during the India Game Showcase at the Summer Game Festival. With a fresh teaser and a playable demo now available on Steam, players can finally get a feel for its distinct take on the genre ahead of the Steam Next Fest, which runs from June 15 through June 22, 2026.

A Different Kind of RPG Hook

Set across fantastical lands in Ancient India, Aikyam moves away from standard stat-grinding. Instead, the game focuses on helping others. The core loop involves exploring, solving problems for villagers, and winning them over. These efforts translate directly into combat power through the game's unique "Cheer Party" system.

As you help more people, your crowd grows. During the timing-based, dance-infused battles, this crowd isn't just window dressing; they act as a support system that cheers, reacts to your performance, and even joins in with surprise attacks. As the developer puts it, "Dance for others, and they’ll fight for you."

Performance on Steam Deck

While Thousand Stars Studio has confirmed the game is in development for PC, they have been transparent about their current platform strategy. Due to time and resource constraints, there will be no native Linux build at launch. However, the team is actively working to support the Steam Deck.

The current demo available on Steam is built using a customized version of Unreal Engine 5 and is reported to run relatively well on the handheld. Since the game is still in development, the studio has not yet announced official Steam Deck Verified status, performance targets, or specific graphical settings. Players interested in the handheld experience are encouraged to test the current demo to gauge how it performs on their hardware.

The Holi-Themed Demo

The demo currently live for Steam Next Fest focuses on the cultural vibrancy of the Holi festival. By showing the village before the arrival of gloom, the demo highlights the game's visual identity and the emotional stakes behind the mechanics. Rather than simply fighting for experience points, players are tasked with lifting the community's spirits, effectively turning kindness into a primary gameplay mechanic.

Aikyam is slated for release on Steam and GOG, though a final launch date remains to be seen.