Have you ever imagined stepping through a mirror to see what's on the other side?
To rescue her twin sister, Lia, who is trapped within the mirrors of the Immortal Realm, a young girl named Ail embarks on a perilous adventure across mirrored dimensions. She has the ability to phase through mirror surfaces into a reflected space which is fully traversable and interactive. Ail can board a reflected train to cross a gap or even press a reflected switch to open a door. By moving and rotating mirrors, manipulate your surroundings and use your imagination to forge new paths and solve intricate puzzles where reality and illusions intertwine.
AiliA is a 3D puzzle game developed by a team from the NYU Game Center. It is heavily influenced by the independent game design philosophy of NYU and combines a profound passion for the puzzle genre with the creators' personal experiences and reflections on life.
The game has earned recognition from various institutions and garnered multiple awards and nominations internationally across the US, China, and Japan. Its accolades include:
2020 Intel University Games Showcase Nominee
2020 AT&T Unlocked Games Nominee
2020 NYU Game Center Incubator Selected Project
2022 Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant Recipient
2023 15th Xiamen International Animation Festival "Golden Dolphin Award" - Best Game Planning Nominee
2023 China Game Innovation Awards - Best Innovative Design
2023 China Game Innovation Awards - Best Innovative Game Grand Prize Nominee
2025 TGS (Tokyo Game Show) Selected Indie80
Centered on the core concept of reflections, the soundtrack by composer Mark Benis features a main theme that is reflected and altered throughout the score using techniques such as note inversion, delay effects and reversed audio. To bring Ail and Lia’s journey to life, Mark brought together top-tier musicians who have contributed to renowned titles such as Elden Ring, Street Fighter V, and Final Fantasy XV: Assassin's Festival. Their live performances on instruments like the erhu, xiao and dizi create an inspired and unique Chinese aesthetic.
These musical techniques and the live musicians who play them deeply immerse you in the game’s reflected world and underscore the emotional bond between the sisters.
Innovative Mirror Mechanics
Break the boundaries between reality and illusion. Reflections are no longer a simple projection but a tangible space that you can explore and interact with. Every traversal through a mirror provides a brand-new perspective for puzzle-solving.
Immersive Aesthetic Exploration
Explore seven distinct Chapters inspired by traditional Chinese art. From ink-wash bamboo forests to glazed mirror palaces, these artistic landscapes have side quests, secret rooms and hidden surprises awaiting your discovery.
Mind-bending Puzzle Challenges
Conquer over 100 meticulously designed puzzles and unlock seemingly impossible challenges within hidden areas. Collect Mirror Fragments to awaken the long-lost memories of the bond between Ail and Lia.
Experience diverse types of spatial puzzles centered entirely around mirrors. The game innovatively integrates various reflection-based mechanics including water reflections, mirror recursion, and even mirror-puzzle boss battles. This design creates an exceptionally rich experience in both visuals and gameplay.
The story features three interwoven threads: your adventure in the Immortal Realm, subtle real-world memories triggered after breaking each Chapter’s Magic Mirror, and hidden memories unlocked by collecting Mirror Fragments across challenging stages. Fragmented storytelling through soul shards scattered across the realm provides gameplay hints while enriching the world with poetic philosophy. The game’s narrative and ending song lyrics stem from the developer’s real-life experiences and explore how to reconcile with the world and oneself after the loss of a loved one.
AiliA is a 3D puzzle game with a handcrafted soundtrack and emotional narrative developed by an innovative team from the NYU Game Center. The developers invite you to cross beyond the mirror’s surface—to help Ail save her sister and find the answers hidden deep within the Immortal Realm.
