Lost Soul Aside's Steam release faces significant regional restrictions, impacting accessibility for over 130 countries. This decision has sparked considerable player frustration and boycotts. Let's delve into the details surrounding this region lock and recent statements from the game's director.
Lost Soul Aside's Global Accessibility Issues
UltiZero Games' Lost Soul Aside launch will be hampered by a region lock, a decision attributed to Sony's limitations on PlayStation-published titles. SteamDB data confirms the game's unavailability in over 130 countries lacking PlayStation Network (PSN) support. Paradoxically, Lost Soul Aside doesn't mandate a PSN account. The region lock prevents the game's appearance on Steam in these unsupported regions, forcing players to create alternative Steam accounts in PSN-supported countries—a cumbersome workaround. This is particularly frustrating given PlayStation's recent removal of PSN requirements for its PC titles. The resulting player backlash is significant, with many expressing their discontent online and choosing not to purchase the game.
A Blend of Fantasy and Realism
Since its 2016 announcement, Lost Soul Aside has maintained its distinctive blend of fantasy elements and realistic visuals. In a February 20, 2025 IGN interview, UltiZero Games CEO Yang Bing discussed the game's consistent artistic vision, emphasizing the unchanged stylistic approach and high-speed, flashy combat from its initial promotional video. He highlighted the evolution of the game's presentation from its initial trailer to its more polished final form.
Bing previously cited Final Fantasy XV as a key influence, mirroring its fusion of realistic and fantasy aesthetics. The protagonist, Kaser, exemplifies this blend with his cartoonish features contrasted against realistic skin, hair, and clothing textures.
Inspirational Influences
Lost Soul Aside draws inspiration from several popular Japanese titles, including Final Fantasy, Bayonetta, Ninja Gaiden, and Devil May Cry. In a February 20, 2025 Famitsu interview, Bing elaborated on these influences. He highlighted Final Fantasy's impact on Kaser's design, emphasizing the integration of realistic and fantasy elements in his clothing and overall character presentation.
Regarding combat, Bing cited Bayonetta, Ninja Gaiden, and Devil May Cry as influences on the game's fast-paced, flashy action and depth. He stressed the game's adaptable combat system, allowing players to develop unique styles and achieve success regardless of their proficiency with complex sequences.
Lost Soul Aside is slated for release on May 30, 2025, on PlayStation 5 and PC. For continued updates, refer to our related articles.
