The late 90s and early 2000s were dominated by 3D platforming action-adventure games, with the likes of Jak and Daxter, Ratchet and Clank, Sly Cooper, Prince of Persia, Tomb Raider, Banjo-Kazooie, and Spyro the Dragon among the most prominent franchises to kick off a lengthy, dominant run for the genre. Over time, audience focus shifted to FPS entries with online multiplayer, massively open-world Soulslike hits, and the now-ever-present battle royales. Looking to draw upon the nostalgia of old adventure games while incorporating more familiar modern-day features, Second Stone: The Legend of the Hidden World is coming to PC via Steam and will introduce players to a new, vibrant world of exploration, mystery, and a hint of danger.
First announced in 2022, Second Stone: The Legend of the Hidden World is a story-driven action-adventure title reminiscent of early 2000s platforming games mixed with fast-paced RPG combat. The game sees players taking on the role of young treasure hunter Shiren, who sets out from Arimaya Village on a quest to jump between two parallel worlds and uncover the hidden secret of the darkness. Despite lying dormant for several years with sparse updates, Second Stone has found itself back in the spotlight, thanks to a brand-new deep dive trailer from developer Skyward Entertainment. Players who have been yearning for a return to the energetic gameplay and creative journeys prominently featured during the golden age of 3D platformers can now get a closer look at how Second Stone: The Legend of the Hidden World is shaping up to combine the best gaming of the past and the present.
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Second Stone Blends Jak and Daxter Adventuring with RPG Customization
During an official developer overview trailer shared during IGN Fan Fest 2026, team members from Skyward Entertainment gave a behind-the-scenes rundown of what to expect from Second Stone: The Legend of the Hidden World. According to the developers, players can look forward to the adventurous world-building and storytelling of games like Jak and Daxter with “rich RPG customization systems.” Skyward Entertainment drew inspiration from a number of classic 3D platforming games to give an imaginative sense of nostalgia while also introducing more modern gameplay mechanics for additional depth and extra replayability. Second Stone builds upon “all the spirit” of the games the team most loved as kids, and the studio is hard at work to create “the smoothest and most fun action-RPG” for longtime fans and first-time players to enjoy.
In addition to the mainline story, Second Stone: The Legend of the Hidden World also features roguelike temples and card games, allowing for a diverse gameplay experience unlike other action-adventure releases. The temples are filled with various dangers that will test players’ ability to find the best build possible to succeed, while the card games offer a fresh intellectual challenge that puts strategizing ahead of combat. Another unique feature of Second Stone is gear-building with Manastones, which allow players to customize their weapons and gear for powerful elemental effects. By implementing the depth of customization found in action role-playing games with the intuitive platforming of adventure titles, Second Stone: The Legend of the Hidden World brings together gameplay features from both new and retro experiences that aim to appeal to fans across a variety of gaming genres.
From magical spellcasting and epic swords to skill trees and tantalizing loot, Second Stone: The Legend of the Hidden World balances the most popular mechanics of juggernaut RPGs like The Legend of Zelda and Xenoblade Chronicles with the undeniable charm of classic action-adventure platformers like Jak and Daxter. Interested fans can now wishlist Second Stone: The Legend of the Hidden World on Steam and can follow along for any future updates on a release date, as well as other news on more adventure games launching in 2026 and beyond.
- Released
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December 4, 2001
- ESRB
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E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Fantasy Violence
- Publisher(s)
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Sony Computer Entertainment
- Engine
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Kinetica
