Lost Soul Aside's Steam release faces significant geographical restrictions, impacting accessibility for over 130 countries. This region lock, attributed to Sony's limitations on PlayStation-published games, has sparked considerable player frustration and impacted sales. Let's delve into the details and recent developer interviews.

Lost Soul Aside's Global Accessibility Issues

UltiZero Games' Lost Soul Aside launch is hampered by region-locking, a consequence of Sony's ongoing restrictions on PlayStation game distribution. SteamDB data reveals the game's unavailability in over 130 countries lacking PlayStation Network (PSN) support. While PSN account ownership isn't mandatory for gameplay, the region lock prevents the game's appearance on Steam in unsupported regions. Players seeking access must create alternative Steam accounts registered in PSN-supported countries—a cumbersome workaround. This decision is particularly puzzling given PlayStation's recent removal of PSN requirements for its PC titles. The resulting backlash from PC gamers, voiced across social media and online forums, is significant, with many choosing to boycott the game due to this limitation.

A Blend of Fantasy and Realism

Since its 2016 announcement, Lost Soul Aside has maintained its unique blend of fantasy elements and realistic visuals. In a February 20, 2025 IGN interview, UltiZero Games CEO Yang Bing discussed the game's artistic vision and evolution. The core style, including the fast-paced, dynamic combat, remains consistent with the initial 2016 trailer. While acknowledging influences from other games encountered during development, Bing emphasized the game's consistent artistic direction. The protagonist, Kaser, exemplifies this blend, featuring stylized facial features and hair alongside realistic skin, hair, and clothing textures. This design approach draws inspiration from titles like Final Fantasy XV, which similarly blends fantasy and realism.

Influences from Gaming Icons

Lost Soul Aside's development has been significantly shaped by popular Japanese action RPGs, including Final Fantasy, Bayonetta, Ninja Gaiden, and Devil May Cry. A February 20, 2025 Famitsu interview with Yang Bing highlighted these influences. Kaser's character design is heavily influenced by the Final Fantasy series, aiming for a believable yet fantastical aesthetic through detailed clothing design and realistic rendering. The game's fast-paced, stylish combat system draws inspiration from Bayonetta, Ninja Gaiden, and Devil May Cry, emphasizing speed and depth, allowing players to develop unique combat styles.

Lost Soul Aside is scheduled for release on May 30, 2025, on PlayStation 5 and PC. For further updates, refer to our related articles.