Highlights:
* Deathbound is a bold new take to the Soulslike genre that can inspire many game developers.
* The debut title of Trialforge Studio will be released for current-gen consoles and PC.
Brazil-based developers Trialforge Studio is all set to release the unprecedented party-based Soulslike, Deathbound. The official PlayStation trailer of the game was released on July 10, 2024, showing much promise regarding combat, enemy abilities, and visuals, the three key features for a hit Soulslike. Each enemy’s nature in Deathbound will be based on the five stages of grief and players will have to adapt their playstyle accordingly.
Deathbound Release Date, Price & Platforms
August 8, 2024, is the global Deathbound release date. Trialforge Studio’s debut title, in collaboration with publisher TateMultimedia, will be arriving on Steam, EPIC Games, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S. Currently, there is no news on whether Deathbound is going to be available on Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus subscription services.
According to the official information provided by the devs, Deathbound will be priced at $29.99 / €29.99.
Soulslike lovers can wishlist the upcoming game on any platform. Ahead of the Deathbound release date, Trialforge Studio is allowing players to experience what the violent RPG has to offer with a demo on Steam. The Deathbound demo consumes more than four gigabytes of storage space after installation.
Deathbound: Similarities & Differences From Other Soulslike Games
The action in Deathbound takes place in Ziêminal, a world that is crumbling from the effects of constant clashes between Faith and Science. Technology has become a thing of the past whereas the present world is medieval, controlled by the powerful Church of Death. The main characters are the results of experiments by Essencemancers, who are then tasked with saving the city of Akratya from fanatics.
Ziêminal is a harsh world that features conflicts between Life and Death. Players not only have to defeat abominations on the streets of Akratya such as Dreaded Shadows but also the undead. The trailer features the playable characters battling fire-breathing monsters, shield-bearers, undead that wielded long axes, and most interestingly, an enemy whose suit resembles that of the villain Yellowjacket from Marvel.
The defining/unique features of Deathbound are Dynamic Morphing and the Party System. Dynamic Morphing operates similarly to finishing moves in games. It allows players to channel the power of all heroes into a deadly ‘Morphstrike’, thus making it crucial for overcoming powerful bosses. This mechanic adds a layer to the single-player party-oriented Soulslike approach taken by the developers.
Speaking of the 4-hero Party System, players can switch characters in the middle of combat. It takes the concept of ‘fighting together’ to another level. Other popular Soulslike games like Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree and Dark Souls feature teams but the other characters are AI-controlled.
Hero parties in Deathbound need to be created with consideration. Each hero has different abilities, personalities, and factions which can affect the gameplay for better or worse.
