Souldiers

Souldiers is a 2D action-adventure game that blends Metroidvania exploration with soulslike combat. It was developed by Retro Forge and published by Dear Villagers, launching on 2 June 2022 for Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Players choose from three classes—Scout, Archer, or Caster—each with distinct abilities and combat styles. Combat includes light and heavy attacks, a dodge move, and class-specific utility skills. As the story progresses, players can infuse attacks with one of five elements (Fire, Earth, Lightning, Water, or Wind), increasing damage against certain enemies while raising vulnerability to others. Exploration is gated by unlocking power-ups, which open new areas. Defeated enemies grant experience for leveling up, and each class has its own skill tree for unlocking new abilities.

The story begins as the Royal Council of Zarga, one of three nations on the continent of Ascil, prepares for war against the Dadelm army. King of Zarga’s War Council, led by General Brigard, positions troops, but the king’s sorcerer and advisor Arkzel suggests a change that leads the soldiers to a cave. After an earthquake traps them, a Valkyrie—an entity that guides the deceased—appears, telling them their circumstances are unnatural. She transports the player character and other soldiers to the world of Terryaga, instructing them to find a Guardian. After regrouping with Brigard in the capital Hafin, the player undertakes missions investigating factions, including a parasitic race that possesses hosts, the deceased enemy general Galath and his forces, and a legion of armored warriors exterminating soldiers. The player learns of a monster named Ratatosk gnawing at the world tree’s roots to destroy Terryaga. After defeating Ratatosk in the Fire temple, the player receives a cube to cross the Valley of Silence and reach the Guardian. After clearing the valley and permanently defeating Galath, the player encounters the reborn legion and absorbs their leader’s power. Ascending a mystical tower, the player meets Guardian Beigon, who is infected by a parasite. Beigon steals the player’s combined power and tries to kill them, but the legion’s fallen energy empowers the player to defeat Beigon and free him. Beigon reveals that Arkzel was possessed by a parasite and lured the army to the cave so the parasites could de