Vapor World: Over the Mind launched on PC via Steam in Early Access on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, promising a twisted Soulslike platformer with Sekiro-like combat. Despite drawing over 100,000 wishlists prior to release, the game opened to user reviews averaging 25% positive as players reacted to its extensive use of generative AI.
Quick Facts
- Platform: PC (Steam Early Access)
- Launch Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2026
- User Review Average: 25% positive
- Developer: ALIVE Inc (Director: Young Kim)
The AI Disclosure and Player Backlash
Prior to launch, developer ALIVE Inc disclosed on the game's Steam page that generative AI was used for voices and cutscenes, though not for live generation during actual gameplay. The disclosure noted that all AI-assisted content was produced and reviewed by the development team in a fixed, pre-rendered form.
Despite this human review process, players pointed out that the AI elements were glaringly obvious. Steam user reviews frequently highlighted the AI cutscenes and voices as a major factor that detracted from the experience.
Director Response and Removal Plans
In a subsequent Steam post, director Young Kim acknowledged relying heavily on AI and admitted underestimating the negative player response. Kim explained that the team turned to AI after finding that cutscenes made entirely by their own hands yielded disappointing results, believing the technology would let them reach a level of expression beyond their existing resources.
Kim admitted that every cutscene in the game was originally built as a full in-game cutscene before the team began replacing them with AI-generated versions, meaning the game launched while caught in the middle of that transition.
Following the backlash, Kim promised an immediate reversal. The developer stated that AI-generated cutscenes will be permanently removed and fully replaced with original content using the existing in-game versions, with the rollout targeted for completion by the weekend.