Deathbound Demo Impressions – A Souls Game to Watch

Deathbound is a souls-like action RPG in development by Trialforge Studio and published by Tate Multimedia. A demo was available as part of Steam Next Fest showcase some interesting elements to the souls genre including absorbing essences of fallen warriors, and having four party members that you can swap between to change up your combat style. The demo gives you a glimpse of the fast-paced, dynamic and exciting combat, and I’m keen to see the game develop further.

You are plunged into a world teetering on the edge, where faith and science clash in a brutal dance with mortality. You are the unwilling product of a forbidden experiment, an anomaly hunted by the Church of Death for your very existence, where there is no good nor evil, only justifications. Ziêminal is a callous world with unrelenting creatures to face who will challenge your combat prowess.

The Deathbound demo throws you into the thick of things, offering a taste of the action RPG combat that is fast-paced and demanding, requiring precise timing and strategic use of your abilities. You’ll dodge, parry, and unleash a flurry of attacks, your movements echoing the desperation of a cornered animal. There are save points that you’ll respawn at if you die and you can also spend essence to upgrade your characters. Each character comes with a variety of weapons, each with their own unique feel and playstyle.

Where Deathbound stands out amongst the sea of souls game is its unique mechanic: absorbing the essences of fallen enemies. This grants you temporary access to their skills and abilities, adding a layer of tactical depth and encouraging experimentation. It allows you to shape a playstyle catered to you through the skills and abilities of each warrior found and unleash calamitous Morphstrikes through their combined powers to all who stand in your way.

There are also items to collect like healing potions, fire bombs and arrows, each with their own bonuses. It was interesting that using a heal on the primary character took some health off the other characters in the party, so you need to consider balancing benefits amongst the group and not just the immediate character. You encounter intriguing enemy characters with their own agendas, each representing a different facet of this fractured society. The demo leaves you wanting more, eager to unravel the mysteries that lie ahead.

Performance-wise the game ran relatively smoothly, showcasing impressive visuals that bring the world to life. The environments are detailed and atmospheric, while the character models and animations are fluid and impactful. The sound design is equally impressive, immersing you in the world with its haunting score and impactful sound effects. I did experience a couple of crashes to desktop but it was a hot day outside and my study was quite warm, so I put it down to that.

From what I played of Deathbound’s demo, it gave me an intriguing taste of a promising souls-like action RPG. The unique combat system, intriguing world, and morally ambiguous narrative all hold immense potential. The ability to switch among the four characters in your party gives great diversity to combat. If you’re looking for a challenging and thought-provoking experience, Deathbound is definitely worth keeping an eye on.

These demo impressions utilised a key provided by Tate Multimedia and Deathbound is currently in development so you can wishlist the game on Steam.

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