Lost Soul Aside released a free demo for PlayStation 5 and PC.

Lost Soul Aside, the ambitious project from UltiZero Games, has finally released a free demo for PlayStation 5 and PC, offering players a first look at its innovative combat system.

This hack and slash, backed by Sony through the China Hero Project, is shaping up to be one of the year's most outstanding titles and is already generating anticipation in the global gaming community.

From personal project to international blockbuster

The origin of Lost Soul Aside dates back to 2016, when Yang Bing, its creator, began developing it alone with Unreal Engine. The initial trailer quickly caught Sony's attention, which included it in the China Hero Project, a program designed to support Chinese developers.

Thanks to this support, the project evolved from an independent prototype to a blockbuster with global reach, adding a full team at UltiZero Games and becoming a benchmark for Asian games seeking to compete with the industry's big names.

A look at the combat system in the demo

The free demo offers about 30 minutes of gameplay, allowing players to explore the main combat mechanics that set Lost Soul Aside apart. Inspired by franchises like Final Fantasy, the system combines speed, chained combos, and transformable weapons.

The protagonist's sword is actually a demonic creature capable of mutating: it functions as a melee weapon, fires projectiles, allows gliding with wings, and can even transform into a board to slide across the stage.

Players face intense challenges, such as the battle against Rose Queen or the double fight against Holy Knight Commander Victor and Ancient Mecha, bosses that require precision and mastery of the mechanics. However, progress in the demo doesn't transfer to the final version of the game.

Delay and release expectations

Originally scheduled for May 30, 2025, the full release was postponed to August 29. According to UltiZero Games, this decision aimed to improve the experience and meet the high expectations caused since the project's announcement.

The delay reflects the challenges of development in Asia, where emerging studios must balance innovation, limited resources, and international pressure for quality standards.

A symbol for gaming in China

Lost Soul Aside is considered a milestone for Chinese development, showing that local studios can transcend the domestic market and compete globally. Its inclusion in the PlayStation catalog shows how collaboration between major companies and independent studios can pave the way for new proposals in the industry.

The success of this title could boost other projects from the China Hero Project, diversifying the action game offering and giving more prominence to emerging developers on the international stage.