Lost Soul Aside Review – Beautiful and Fast-Paced, But Not Without Serious Problems

The Lost Soul Aside project started with a single developer and later evolved into a full-fledged game with the support of Sony. It grew from a small demo by an enthusiast into a full-fledged RPG with hack-and-slash elements. We discuss how the final product justified the years and resources invested in the game in our review.

• Developer: Ultizero Games
• Publisher: PlayStation Publishing LLC
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5
• Release date: August 29, 2025

A review copy was provided by Achivka, the country’s largest video game distributor.

The game’s plot introduces Keyser, a hero who sets out in search of his sister, Louise. Instead of a global mission to save the world, the protagonist’s personal story is at the core. The opening sequence is quite effective: we see Louise and Keyser surrounded by the resistance, witnessing their involvement in plans to disrupt an imperial parade, and then the sudden intervention of mysterious enemies from another reality turns everything upside down.

The emergence of a new enemy makes the situation catastrophic, and it is then that Keyser gains an unusual companion—a creature named Arena , who merges with him and grants him new powers. The plot then unfolds in a series of journeys across worlds, encounters with enemies and allies, a search for Louise, and attempts to understand what is really happening.

On paper, it sounds interesting, but the further you go, the more the story’s delivery becomes sluggish. The dialogue often sounds unnatural (partly due to the very mediocre English dubbing), many scenes lack emotion, and some details are completely buried in glossaries. For example, the characters’ pasts, their orphanhood, and their entry into the resistance, are presented not as part of the plot, but as separate text, and even as a short background note. Due to the lack of depth, even the dramatic episodes ultimately feel unconvincing, as the authors haven’t had time to properly establish a basis for empathy.

The characters themselves also leave a mixed impression. Keyser is a typical silent hero, reserved but with a strong motive. Louise remains more of a figure of purpose than a fully-fledged character. Selene, who has cared for her siblings since childhood, makes a strong presence known early on, but her role isn’t fully fleshed out. Overall, many of the characters start off with intriguing characters, only to have their arcs cut short. The only character who stands out against this backdrop is the symbiote, whose character is built on irony and arrogance. The arena breaks the seriousness of the proceedings a bit, occasionally adding humor. In short, the most engaging duet is that of the protagonist and his partner.

Gameplay in Lost Soul Aside revolves around combat and level traversal. The combat system features elements of Devil May Cry and similar titles. The player has several weapons—a sword, a two-handed sword, a scythe, and a halberd—and can switch between them during combat. Each weapon has its own distinct feel, and switching between combat styles allows for long combos and experimentation. The system is further enhanced by special moves that become available with the right dodges and blocks.

Additionally, there’s a system of temporary buffs for the hero and the symbiote’s abilities. The result is encounters that are easy to master, but also allow you to delve deeper into the mechanics to create interesting and varied attack chains. The bosses are also designed with a flourish, appearing impressive and requiring a fair amount of concentration. Each has its own fighting style, and memorable scenes are created for each. The game rewards precision, offering bonuses in the form of energy for counterattacks or enhanced attacks, but doesn’t require the player to have the reflexes of a seasoned soul-liker.

Combat in the game is interspersed with elements of platforming and exploration. There are a variety of activities, from jumping on flowers to finding hidden inscriptions that open passages. The locations themselves are brightly and authentically drawn, making them engaging to explore.

RPG elements are reduced to familiar character and weapon development mechanics. There’s a skill tree, accessories, and additional items that can be found and upgraded. An interesting touch is that the player can decorate weapons with flowers and butterflies, which not only changes their appearance but also affects their stats.

The art and design evoke mixed feelings. On the one hand, the overall appearance of the characters is clearly Japanese in style, with an emphasis on striking imagery. The hero and his companions look cool, though their appearance is anything but unique. The enemies, on the other hand, impress with their unusual crystalline appearance, which is also evident in the design structure of the world itself.

My main complaint is about the technical side of the project. The game still suffers from frame rate drops, minor bugs, and stuttering. Sometimes characters suddenly freeze without animation, and sometimes objects hang in the air. The transitions from cutscenes to gameplay are rough—music or dialogue can cut out mid-sentence. Even simple walking sometimes feels choppy. All these little things combined ruin the experience.

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Lost Soul Aside leaves me with mixed feelings. It has its strengths—spectacular combat, impressive bosses, beautiful enemy designs, and some clever world-building. But it also has serious weaknesses: specifically, a mediocre story, bland characters, and a lack of polish. It’s clear a lot of effort and ambition was invested in it, but it still feels like it falls short of its intended level.

If you’re looking for a dynamic action game with a vibrant combat system and beautiful cutscenes, you’re definitely worth checking out. However, if you’re struggling with the story and the depth of the world, you’ll likely be disappointed. Overall, it’s an interesting, if somewhat rough, game.