Lost Soul Aside's Steam Release Frustrates Gamers Due to Sony's Region Lock
UltiZero Games' highly anticipated action RPG, Lost Soul Aside, faces significant backlash due to a region lock impacting over 130 countries on its Steam release. This frustrating limitation, stemming from Sony's restrictions on PlayStation-published titles, prevents the game from appearing in Steam stores of unsupported PlayStation Network (PSN) regions. The irony is that Lost Soul Aside doesn't even require a PSN account to play.
This baffling decision, especially considering PlayStation's recent removal of PSN requirements for its PC titles, has ignited a firestorm of criticism from PC gamers. Many are expressing their disappointment on social media and forums, with a significant number choosing to boycott the game in protest. Workarounds, such as creating a Steam account in a PSN-supported region, are proving unsatisfactory to many potential players.
A Blend of Fantasy and Realism
Since its initial reveal in 2016, Lost Soul Aside has captivated audiences with its unique blend of fantasy elements and realistic visuals. In a recent interview with IGN (February 20, 2025), UltiZero Games CEO Yang Bing discussed the game's artistic vision and its evolution over the years. The core style, including the high-speed, flashy combat, remains consistent with the original 2016 trailer, albeit refined and matured through the development process.
Influences and Inspirations
Yang Bing also highlighted the game's significant influences from popular Japanese titles like Final Fantasy, Bayonetta, Ninja Gaiden, and Devil May Cry in an interview with Famitsu (February 20, 2025). The design of the protagonist, Kaser, heavily draws inspiration from the Final Fantasy series, particularly in its fusion of realistic and fantastical elements in character design and clothing. The fast-paced, stylish combat, however, takes cues from Bayonetta, Ninja Gaiden, and Devil May Cry, offering players a dynamic and customizable combat experience.
Lost Soul Aside launches May 30, 2025, on PlayStation 5 and PC. The region lock controversy, however, casts a significant shadow over its potential success.
