After nearly a decade in development, Lost Soul Aside has finally arrived on PlayStation 5 and PC. First started in 2014 as a solo project by developer Yang Bing, the game gained attention for its striking visuals and combat inspired by titles like Final Fantasy, Devil May Cry, and Bayonetta. Over time, Yang Bing founded Ultizero Games and partnered with PlayStation to bring the vision to life.
The result is a fast-paced hack-and-slash RPG that blends cinematic storytelling with stylish combat. But its launch has been a mix of praise and frustration—while the core gameplay shines, performance issues and other technical hurdles have left fans divided.
Lost Soul Aside Story and Setting
Lost Soul Aside places players in the role of Kaser, a resistance fighter determined to save his sister Louisa after their world is invaded by the mysterious Voidrax. To stand a chance, he teams up with Arena, a powerful entity who merges with him, granting extraordinary abilities.
The narrative is designed to blend high-stakes battles with emotional stakes, but early feedback suggests the pacing can feel rushed, with story beats sometimes overshadowed by relentless action.
Gameplay and Combat
At its core, Lost Soul Aside is a single-player action-adventure RPG built on stylish, combo-driven combat. Players can switch between four primary weapons on the fly, each with its own strengths and combos:
- Sword – Balanced weapon with quick combos.
- Greatsword – Heavy-hitting but slower, ideal for breaking defenses.
- Poleblade – Agile, offering extended reach.
- Scythe – A versatile weapon for sweeping attacks.
Arena, Kaser’s companion, adds even more depth. His powers can summon spikes erupting from the ground, unleash energy blasts, or perform devastating spinning claw attacks. The synergy between Kaser’s weapons and Arena’s abilities encourages experimentation, chaining abilities for fluid and cinematic battles.
Performance and Launch Issues
While the combat system and visuals have been widely praised, the game’s PC launch has struggled. On Steam, Lost Soul Aside currently holds a “Mixed” rating, with around 41% of reviews marked “Not Recommended.”
Players cite problems such as:
- Frame rate drops and stuttering.
- Visual glitches during exploration and combat.
- Jerky character movement and awkward camera angles.
- Cutscenes rendered at 4K/30fps, causing playback stutters.
The developers acknowledged the issues, stating they are “actively working on optimizations” to improve cutscene performance and overall stability. A Day 1 patch was released, but feedback suggests it hasn’t resolved most problems yet.
On the other hand, the PS5 version is faring better, currently sitting at an average 4.1/5 star rating with over 1,000 reviews. This has led many to believe the console version is the smoother experience, while PC players may need to wait for additional patches.
Price and Availability
Lost Soul Aside is priced at $70, a decision that has drawn mixed reactions given the launch state. Some players argue that a $40–$50 price point would have been more appropriate until the technical issues are resolved.
For those unsure about committing, a free demo is available on both PS5 and PC, offering two boss fights and a chance to experiment with the game’s weapons and abilities.
Community Reception
The community response has been divided:
- Positive Reactions: Players highlight the gorgeous visuals, fluid combat, and the clear passion of a project that started as a solo effort. Many are impressed by the cinematic battles and the unique fusion of Final Fantasy-inspired design with Devil May Cry-style gameplay.
- Negative Reactions: Others are disappointed by the technical instability, weak storytelling, and steep price tag. Some feel it falls short when compared to other recent action RPGs like Stellar Blade or Final Fantasy 16.
Despite the rocky launch, there’s optimism that ongoing updates will polish the game into a stronger experience.
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Lost Soul Aside is a fascinating case in modern game development. What began as a one-man project has grown into a PlayStation-backed release nearly ten years later. It successfully delivers on its promise of stylish, cinematic combat, but its technical flaws on PC and uneven storytelling keep it from reaching its full potential at launch.
For now, PS5 players may find the best version of the game, while PC players might want to wait for optimization patches before diving in. With Ultizero Games actively working on fixes, the future of Lost Soul Aside will depend on how quickly—and effectively—those updates arrive.
