RubeKi, the developer behind the acclaimed spelunking sim Lorn’s Lure, has announced The Hollowing, a new megastructure exploration game set in the same narrative universe as its predecessor but with a notable twist: instead of climbing, players will pilot an aircraft. The Hollowing is slated to launch later this year, with a playable demo currently available on Steam for early access. The title marks Rubeki’s second entry into the sprawling megastructure setting that made its 2024 debut a cult favourite, and it promises to shift the focus from the punishing traversal of its predecessor toward a more deliberate, pilot-driven experience.
The concept is simple on the surface: players take control of a decrepit aircraft and navigate their way across a vast, murky megastructure, following a chain of comms towers and airstrips. The journey involves buzzing toward the next radio outpost, landing on an airstrip, repairing whatever has gone wrong, and then repeating the cycle. According to the developer, the core loop is built around following the lights and completing small maintenance tasks, rather than the relentless trial-and-error movement that defined the original game.
A New Vehicle, Same World
The Hollowing’s most obvious departure from Lorn’s Lure is the mode of transport. Where the earlier game centred on the “handsome climbing axes” and the physical act of scaling impossible structures, The Hollowing swaps that for flight. The aircraft itself is described as a patchwork contraption, appearing to be constructed from barbed wire and horseshoes, and it will require regular refuelling to keep moving.
However, the developer has been quick to note that the new game does not abandon the challenges of its predecessor. Players will still need to contend with the environment, avoid hazards such as clouds of spores, and maintain the concentration required to operate the aircraft. Rubeki has framed the flying mechanic as a deliberate evolution, trading the “repeatedly falling and dying” frustration of the climbing sim for a more controlled, skill-based approach to navigation.
Another megastructure game set in the same narrative universe, but this time, with an airplane.
RubeKi, developer of The Hollowing
The studio’s comments suggest a clear intent to build on the momentum of Lorn’s Lure while expanding the series’ scope. By introducing flight, The Hollowing opens up new ways to explore the same world, offering players a fresh perspective on the megastructure’s layout and hazards. The mechanic of following a chain of comms towers also introduces a more guided, almost procedural feel to the journey, contrasting with the freeform exploration of the climbing game.
What to Expect From the Demo
A demo of The Hollowing is now available on Steam, giving interested players a chance to experience the flying mechanics before the full release. The Hollowing is a follow-up to the brilliant spelunking sim Lorn’s Lure, and the demo offers a preview of the aircraft’s capabilities, including refuelling, repairs, and navigation across the megastructure’s terrain.
The demo is positioned as an opportunity for both returning fans of the series and newcomers to get a feel for the game’s tone and mechanics. For those who enjoyed the original title, the demo provides a chance to see how Rubeki has refined the experience, while for new players it serves as an accessible entry point into the megastructure genre. The studio has indicated that the full game will launch later this year, though specific dates have not yet been confirmed.
Looking Ahead
As the demo becomes available, the community has begun to speculate about the direction of the series and what the full release might bring. The Hollowing’s flight mechanic has generated interest, with players eager to see how the aircraft handles the same sprawling environments that made Lorn’s Lure so compelling.
For those interested in trying the demo, the Steam page offers the current build of the game, allowing players to explore the flying mechanics and get a sense of the overall experience. The Hollowing represents Rubeki’s next step in the megastructure genre, and with the demo now live, players can begin to gauge whether the shift from climbing to flying will resonate with the series’ fanbase.
With the full game set to launch later this year, The Hollowing promises to expand the narrative universe that Rubeki has built, offering a new way to experience the megastructure through the eyes of a pilot rather than a climber. As the demo continues to draw players in, the anticipation for the complete release grows, marking another exciting chapter in the series’ ongoing evolution.
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