While the year 2024, along with titles like Black Myth: Wu Kong, showcased China’s rising influence in the gaming landscape, it’s really in 2025 that we’ll fully witness the impact of Xi Jinping’s nation on our industry. Thanks to PlayStation’s well-regarded China Hero Project, initiated a decade ago, numerous ambitious titles are set to launch this year. Games such as Phantom Blade Zero, Where Winds Meet, The Perceiver, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, Lost Soul Aside, and the newly announced Tides of Annihilation are captivating, promising, and even awe-inspiring. Today, we focus on Lost Soul Aside, whose release date was recently unveiled at the State of Play event ten days ago. This title highlights its fascinating creator, Yang Bing, a 35-year-old who initially developed the game single-handedly in his room before PlayStation extended its support. Join us as we delve into his story and showcase nearly 20 minutes of gameplay of this game that blends elements of Devil May Cry, Bayonetta, Ninja Gaiden, and a dash of Final Fantasy XV on a high-octane drive.
Back in 2016, Lost Soul Aside first came into the spotlight. At that time, Yang Bing was 25 and had just completed an initial version of his game alone in his bedroom, without any external assistance. He crafted a trailer and shared it across various platforms: YouTube, Bilibili (China’s YouTube equivalent), and social networks. This trailer caught the attention of PlayStation, particularly Shuhei Yoshida, who was simultaneously launching the China Hero Project. This initiative aims to identify and support talented Chinese developers by offering assistance with development, publishing, and marketing. Yang Bing was the perfect candidate. The following year, during the PlayStation Experience of 2017, a gameplay trailer lasting almost 15 minutes was showcased. Since then, Yang Bing has accelerated his pace and founded his own studio, Ultizero Games, where he now serves as CEO. Though the size of his team remains uncertain, it’s likely a small group, given that the game’s development spanned almost 10 years. Young and inexperienced, Yang Bing initially faced challenges, as his youth and lack of experience didn’t allow him the efficiency of a seasoned industry veteran familiar with production tools and methods. Nevertheless, he learned on the job with PlayStation’s unwavering support, and Lost Soul Aside is set for release on May 30th on PS5 and PC.
KASER SAUCÉ
Influenced by the rapid growth of contemporary games, Yang Bing is somewhat reserved when discussing the inspirations that molded Lost Soul Aside. However, he does acknowledge a penchant for fast-paced games with abundant visual effects. The gameplay echoes the fluidity and speed of titles like Devil May Cry and Ninja Gaiden. Observers can’t help but notice the Final Fantasy XIV resemblance, as Kazer, the protagonist, shares a striking similarity with Noctis from FF XV. However, Lost Soul Aside distinguishes itself with its lightning-fast action. The game’s pace is dizzying—perhaps too swift for some players, leading to a visually intense experience. The combat system features both light and heavy attacks, each of which can be charged for dramatic effects. Kazer possesses jumping, dodging, and blocking abilities. The aim is to string together combos on the ground or in the air, potentially launching enemies into the air and finishing them with a powerful move.
Contrary to Devil May Cry, launching an enemy requires holding the light attack button, eliminating the need for a manual lock-on. This is where comparisons to FFXV become apparent, as certain behaviors in Lost Soul Aside are automatically managed by the game. If you’re distant from an enemy and initiate an attack, Kazer will dash towards them or execute ranged strikes. The driving concept behind the game is accessibility combined with its hallmark speed. Additionally, ‘finish moves’ can be activated once an enemy has been sufficiently damaged. In such cases, pressing Square + X initiates a dramatic execution that inflicts significant damage, especially useful against bosses to stagger them. The game introduces an ‘Outburst’ mechanic, where Kazer enters a trance by holding R2, enhancing his next attack’s power. Since different weapons in Lost Soul Aside offer various offensive capabilities, Kazer might wield a two-handed sword, extending his attack range and force while a second fiery two-handed sword shadows his movements, doubling his impact. In classic Devil May Cry fashion, a power gauge governs your actions; when maxed, it unlocks even more devastating attacks.
PARTENAIRE PARTICULIER
Another fascinating aspect is Kazer’s constant companion, an entity named Arena, capable of transforming. Arena acts as a giant sword or even a hoverboard to accelerate your journey through the game world. Merging attacks with these hoverboard transformations injects an element of whimsy reminiscent of Devil May Cry. Arena can be summoned with L2, offering three magic spells suitable for various situations. Additionally, Lost Soul Aside incorporates an endurance gauge dictating the evasion system, ensuring it’s not limitless. As Kazer dodges, he expends a quarter of his endurance gauge, allowing for up to four consecutive evasions. The gauge replenishes rapidly, almost instantly, so spacing out evasions lets you perform more than just four. Perfectly dodging an attack allows for a swift counterstrike while maintaining invincibility. Alternatively, by pressing Circle, you can opt for a parry, which consumes less endurance yet offers less flexibility, often leaving Kazer protected by a defensive barrier from his partner Arena.
Lost Soul Aside offers numerous engaging mechanics. While perhaps not as complex as the gameplay found in Devil May Cry or Bayonetta, it remains entertaining and accessible, appealing to fans of fast, action-packed combat. Bing has assured that on the standard PS5, players can expect the game to run at a smooth 60 frames per second, vital for maintaining the fluidity crucial to its gaming experience. The anticipation now turns to the game’s longevity, its evolving gameplay, story intrigue, and challenging boss encounters. It’s almost certain that Sony will soon unveil more details, given the game’s release on May 30, 2025, a mere two months away.
