Lost Soul Aside will face significant accessibility issues at its launch, being region-locked for over 130 countries on Steam due to Sony's restrictions. This has led to widespread frustration among PC gamers, many of whom are now choosing not to purchase the game. Dive deeper into the reasons behind the region lock and explore insights from recent interviews with the game's director.
Lost Soul Aside Locked For 130+ Countries At Launch
Players Frustrated With Lost Soul Aside Being Region-Locked
The upcoming release of UltiZero Games' Lost Soul Aside has hit a snag as it will be region-locked at launch, a move that has left many gamers feeling frustrated. This decision stems from Sony's ongoing policy of limiting the availability of PlayStation-published games. Data from SteamDB reveals that Lost Soul Aside will not be available in over 130 countries, specifically those not supported by the PlayStation Network (PSN).
Interestingly, playing Lost Soul Aside does not require a PSN account. However, due to the region lock, the game will not be listed on Steam in countries without PSN support. Gamers wishing to access the game will need to create a new Steam account in a country where PSN is supported. This requirement is particularly puzzling given PlayStation's recent move to eliminate PSN account requirements for their PC titles. The backlash has been swift, with PC gamers voicing their frustrations across social media and forums, leading many to decide against purchasing the game.
Lost Soul Aside Will Blend Fantasy Elements With Realistic Visuals
Since its initial announcement in 2016, Lost Soul Aside has consistently impressed with its unique style that blends fantasy elements with realistic visuals. In an interview with IGN on February 20, 2025, UltiZero Games CEO Yang Bing discussed the game's inspiration and enduring style.
Bing emphasized that the game's aesthetic and combat system have remained true to the vision presented in its first promotional video. "So this is something that we have been sticking to for all these years. During this development process, we, of course, continued to see some new and excellent works, which maybe we got some influence through, [on] our thought along the way. So from the beginning, this personal trailer gradually evolved into a more mature and well-run version, I should say," Bing explained. He also noted that the game drew inspiration from Final Fantasy 15, particularly evident in the protagonist Kaser, who combines cartoonish features with realistic textures.
Influences From Final Fantasy, Bayonetta, Ninja Gaiden, and Devil May Cry
Lost Soul Aside has been shaped by a variety of influential Japanese games, including Final Fantasy, Bayonetta, Ninja Gaiden, and Devil May Cry, which are reflected in different facets of the game. In an interview with Famitsu on February 20, 2025, Bing elaborated on how these games have impacted Lost Soul Aside.
He highlighted that the design of Kaser is heavily influenced by the Final Fantasy series. "I had a designer design the clothes for the main character, and I wanted to combine realistic and fantasy elements, just like in FF. After the clothes are designed, they are actually made and reproduced in the game. By doing so, we thought that the players would feel as if it actually existed, and that the main character, Kazel, would also feel as a bloody, realistic character," Yang said.
Regarding combat, Bing drew parallels with Bayonetta, Ninja Gaiden, and Devil May Cry, noting their fast-paced and flashy action. "We're also constantly improving and refining the combat system, maintaining a sense of speed in combat while also adding a certain amount of depth. Players can develop their own style, and even if they are not good at sequential moves, they can use various systems to achieve high performance and make the game go smoothly," he added.
Lost Soul Aside is set to launch on May 30, 2025, for PlayStation 5 and PC. Stay updated with the latest news on Lost Soul Aside by checking out our article below!
