Dark Fantasy Roguelike Soul Survivors is Out Now on Steam

Okay, I’ll admit. The “Bullet Heaven”, “Horde Survival” or “Survivors-like” genre has exploded since developer Poncle released Vampire Survivors last year. It’s a cheap, easy way to provide a fun, engaging gameplay loop. Even the most half-baked versions I’ve played were still fun at the right price point. Now, a new challenger has entered the arena, known as Soul Survivors.

Soul Survivors is being developed by Stingbot Games and is available in Early Access on Steam. You can also play it on the Steam deck right now, so it works both on the go and in front of your PC. Here is what the press release has to say about the game thus far.

“Face mobs of monstrous foes in a skill-based showdown combining dynamic classes, meta-game progression, and challenging yet fair combat. Cut through flesh constructs, ashen skeletons, money-laden mollusks, and more in a finely tuned experience drawing inspiration from time-survival games, Soulslikes, and highly replayable roguelikes punctuated by harrowing boss encounters.

The Early Access version of Soul Survivors launches with two playable characters, with six total planned throughout development, each providing wildly different combat experiences. Stand as the stalwart Bogatyr, an armored knight with access to earth-shattering hammers and an empowering horn, or command undead legions as the Necromancer while controlling the arc of the dark sorcerer’s spiked flail.

Transform class-specific automated attacks with powerups and modifiers that alter the flow of combat, like the Bogatyr’s fearsome Butcher’s Blade’s shattering AOE effects. Spend gold to upgrade talents and unlock persistent upgrades like the Necromancer’s Soul Reaver, a skill granting pets the power to collect souls. Experiment with builds catering to all manner of playstyles that allow each hero to turn into an unstoppable force on the battlefield.

Fight to stay alive in stages inhabited by countless foes. Make micro-decisions during the din of combat and prepare for showdowns against bosses that arrive at timed intervals. Face the Flesh Golem in the forlorn Linden Forest and take a crack at the hulking skeleton Chancellor Autlaic deep below a fallen castle. But be wary, besting these beasts doesn’t grant victory; defeating a stage’s final boss throws heroes into Cursed Mode, ramping the carnage to near-impossible levels.

Soul Survivors builds upon the familiar framework established by popular time-survival games and adds a robust combat system familiar to action-RPG fans to create a rewarding experience that encourages mastery and experimentation. With frequent updates planned throughout Early Access, survivors will have new characters, stages, and challenges to face on the road to the 1.0 release.”

Sterling Selover from Stingbot Games commented on the release, stating: “Since beginning development on Soul Survivors, we have worked tirelessly to create a unique and entertaining time-survival roguelite. Whether you’re familiar with the genre or are a fledgling adventurer, our blend of distinctive combat, persistent progression, and dark fantasy world-building has something for everyone.”

Soul Survivors can be purchased for $3.99 (a similar price to other games) on Steam. I’ll admit, I’m already interested. Plus, the price point is right for a fun time, even if the game hasn’t progressed too far yet.