Introduction

As a gamer, there are some games that I get super hyped for. I count the days until they release and look up every trailer and story just to get a glimpse before launch. One of those games was Lost Soul Aside when it was announced back in 2016. Being a single-developer project from Yang Bing before getting a bigger team worried me for good reason. Despite big plans under Sony’s China Hero Project, Lost Soul Aside ran into problem after problem. Alongside other fans, I doubted it would ever release. Yet in 2025, it finally did. I wanted to believe Lost Soul Aside could be a Game of the Year contender. Then I played it, and that dream shattered. While I praise Yang Bing and the team for overcoming challenge after challenge, I kind of wish it had been delayed further. The end product is rough. Here’s my review of Lost Soul Aside for the PS5.

Gameplay

Lost Soul Aside is one part action, one part adventure, and one part RPG. Players control Kraser, a stoic fighter for the resistance known as GLIMMER. Alongside his sister and several others, Kraser learns his kingdom has become a warzone beyond his imagination. Luckily, Kraser gains a powerful ally in Arena, a dragon being that grants him weapons and tools in combat.

The idea sounds perfect: a mix of Devil May Cry, Kingdom Hearts, and Final Fantasy. Unfortunately, the gameplay is mediocre and boring. In my several-hour run, I tried two approaches. First, I timed attacks, dodged, and countered like in Devil May Cry or Elden Ring. The dodge and counter system worked well and felt powerful. Then I tried button-mashing combos with little thought. Both methods worked. Even during tougher fights, brute force with simple combos cleared most battles. Bosses were the most fun, but random enemies felt like filler.

The RPG and adventure elements are barebones. The skill tree and weapon system offer plenty of unlocks, but they feel formulaic. Exploration is straightforward, and going off the path rarely rewards much. These systems function but end up being boring. The gameplay clearly shows the scars of years of development changes. It needed more polish before releasing as a full-priced title.

Graphics

The graphics are inconsistent. At times, Lost Soul Aside looks fantastic with detailed environments, character models, and some cutscenes. Then there are moments where it feels dated, with lifeless designs and PS4-era visuals. It works well enough, but don’t expect your PS5 to sweat.

Sound

The voice acting is abysmal. Arena sounds decent, but Kraser’s delivery is all over the place. He shifts from annoyed to friendly or distrusting to best buddy without consistency. It feels like there was no clear direction. The music, on the other hand, is solid. The soundtrack often helps make boring fights more tolerable. Still, the awkward voice acting stands out so much that it’s already a joke online with videos mocking it.

Story

The story is passable at best. You play as Kraser, wielding the power of Arena to save his sister and his kingdom. The beats are predictable, and you can guess most of them within minutes. There are hints of a greater story, but they never unfold. It’s enough to give the gameplay purpose, but against other action RPGs, Lost Soul Aside doesn’t compete.

Overall Impression

I don’t want to sound hateful toward Lost Soul Aside. I followed its nine years of development struggles and respected the effort to get it released. But as a reviewer, I need to be honest. Lost Soul Aside feels like a smoothie of good ideas thrown together poorly. It needed another year or two of polish. While it’s playable and occasionally fun—especially the bosses—it shows too many glaring problems. At full price, it’s not worth it.

Conclusion

I’m disappointed in Lost Soul Aside. It should have been one of the best action RPGs this year, but it feels rushed. The pieces for greatness are there, but none of them come together properly. Is it playable? Yes, and there are moments I didn’t hate. Would I recommend it? Only if you can overlook the numerous flaws. At $60, it’s hard to justify. Wait for a deep sale—at $30 or $40, it might be worth a try. At full price, Lost Soul Aside is a missed opportunity.

ーAaron