Lost Soul Aside: A Thrilling ARPG Experience on PS5 and PC

Lost Soul Aside, after a decade of development, has finally launched on PS5 and PC. Initially revealed in 2016, it presented a visual marvel. Now that it has arrived, the results are mixed, showcasing exhilarating combat while reflecting the challenges faced on the journey from an indie passion project to a full-fledged release.

Story and Premise

In Lost Soul Aside, players assume the role of Kaser, a member of a resistance group named GLIMMER, which fights against a repressive empire. The plot thickens when an alien entity known as the Voidrax disrupts an imperial parade, igniting chaos. Amidst this turmoil, Kaser’s sister Louisa has her soul taken. Following a fall into a concealed lab, Kaser encounters a fragment of a dragon-like being named Lord Arena and merges with him, acquiring new powers. The mission is straightforward: save Louisa’s soul and protect humanity.

The storyline is ambitious yet follows a conventional structure, advancing chapter by chapter. Characters rely on familiar fantasy clichés. Interactions with the dragon-like companion Arena have their charm, but numerous narrative moments tend to be predictable, and the writing may come across as awkward. Dialogue and cutscenes often evoke a light anime style: sincere yet occasionally exaggerated.

Visuals and Technical Performance

Powered by Unreal Engine 4, Lost Soul Aside may feel a bit outdated compared to peers transitioning to Unreal Engine 5. Nevertheless, the environments are visually striking, taking players through lush biomes, grand fantasy temples, modern labs, and remnants of castles. The strong points of lighting, colour, and art design sometimes overshadow the game’s technical shortcomings.

On PS5, the overall performance remains solid, and combat generally flows smoothly. However, there are instances of stutters during traversal or in menus. Voice acting in English can occasionally seem stiff, and some animations lack polish. Despite these flaws, it rarely disrupts immersion, especially outside cutscenes.

Combat: Showtime, Mostly

Lost Soul Aside excels in its combat system, which is sharp and gratifying. Kaser wields a variety of weapons such as swords, poleblades, scythes, and greatswords, with Lord Arena providing superhuman abilities. Players can unlock flashy skills, explosive combos, and a special move called Burst Pursuit. The pace of combat intensifies significantly after a few hours of gameplay, particularly once more tools are available for stylish play.

The dodge mechanic stands out, as enemy attacks glow blue before they strike. Successfully executing a dodge at that critical moment is immensely satisfying, especially during boss battles and against multiple enemies.

Boss encounters are varied in scale and grandeur. They require players to recognise patterns, time dodges, and use skills wisely. Some bosses may become invincible for extended periods, which can be frustrating.

At its peak, combat in Lost Soul Aside pays homage to titles such as Devil May Cry or Bayonetta; it’s flashy, smooth, and rewarding. However, there are also encounters with enemies that feel overly resilient and repetitive. The impact of hits may sometimes lack the desired weight, diminishing the visceral excitement when engaging foes.

World Design and Gameplay Flow

Although levels are exquisitely crafted, they can be somewhat linear. Hidden paths may evoke challenge zones or treasure, providing a refreshing break from combat. However, unexpected platforming segments play a considerable role. The jumping physics can feel light and airy. Various platforming sequences may lead to frustration due to imprecise jumps and awkward camera angles. Lucky saves are infrequent, often resulting in players repeating sections because of misguided jumps or miscalculated distances.

Save points and checkpoints can be unevenly spaced. Certain areas may present only one save point which is thirty minutes away from the prior one. Running low on healing items or lacking health potions before a boss battle can be quite aggravating. Given the game’s overall generosity, these inconsistencies stand out more. This may compel players to either grind or restart, disrupting the flow and emotional investment.

Progression, Loot, and Mechanics

Lost Soul Aside incorporates RPG elements such as skill trees, Arena powers, weapon enhancements, and loot collections. Many of these systems are straightforward. Loot offers minor stat boosts or advantages. Skill unlocks can include cooldown reductions, combo enhancements, or new special capabilities. The upgrade system is functional without being overly complex. The emphasis lies in how upgrades modify combat dynamics—offering quicker dodges, heightened burst power, and subtle adjustments to gameplay. They are motivating yet do not transform the experience dramatically, and the upgrade mechanics never feel overly complicated.

Verdict

Lost Soul Aside serves as an affectionate tribute to visually captivating ARPGs. It features breathtaking moments, inventive weapon combinations, and combat that demands finesse, making it often very enjoyable.

While the issues are notable, they are not detrimental to the overall experience. The storyline and characters lack depth, while technical details and animations can be inconsistent. Platforming elements feel somewhat lacklustre, and irregular checkpoint placements can hinder pacing.

This debut from Ultizero Games is still commendable, offering enough thrilling combat to warrant the investment for fans of the genre. With patches and ongoing support, the game has the potential to become a beloved classic.