Summary
Soulslike fans can look forward to the August 8 release ofDeathbound, a unique party-based action RPG with a ghostly twist. Announced back in 2023,Deathboundmost recently piqued the interest of longtime fans of the genre during its appearance at this year’s Summer Game Fest, where developers unveiled a new trailer and teased its impending debut. Now, a concrete release date has finally been confirmed, and fans won’t have to wait much longer to experience the party-based Soulslike for themselves onSteam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Developed by Trialforge Studio,Deathboundoffers aunique take on the Soulslike genre. Most notably, the game incorporates a multi-character combat system that incentivizes swapping between characters during combat and using each character’s specific skills to tilt the scales in the player’s favor.Deathboundis set in the world of Zieminal, centuries after the Goddess Death brought about the collapse of an ancient advanced civilization. Within the post-apocalyptic city of Akratya, players are pitted against the forces of the Church of Death and must use the essence of fallen warriors to overcome their foes.
An official release date trailer forDeathboundreveals that the game will drop on June 14, 2025. While the game is currently not available for pre-order, PC players will be happy to know that aDeathbounddemo is availableon Steam, allowing those interested to test the game’s performance on their respective systems and try out its unique party-based gameplay for themselves.
Deathbound’s Party-Based Combat System
Unlikeother beloved Soulslike titles,Deathbound’s party-based elements place a heavy emphasis on teams, in which players can swap between party members using the game’s morphing mechanic. Aside from the strategic benefits of a multi-person squad, each character will additionally have their own story and compatibility with other party members, which can provide buffs and debuffs depending on the player’s loadout. While the game incorporates a blend of sci-fi and medieval fantasy, Trialforge Studio acknowledged that the team’s Brazilian roots also influenced much ofDeathbound’s aesthetics. Players can find Brazilian influences inDeathbound’s game and sound design, including a playable Capoeira martial artist.
While the demo is only available on Steam, publisher Tate Multimedia previously assured fans thatDeathboundwould not be a PC exclusive. The publisher has announced that Trialforge Studio’s Soulslike will feature a simultaneous release onPlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles. At the time of writing, a Nintendo Switch version ofDeathboundhas not been confirmed.
Deathbound
WHERE TO PLAY
Deathbound is a one-of-a-kind party-based soulslike set in a callous world where Faith and Science clash. The forbidden city of Akratya is an unforgiving land that cannot be conquered alone. Bind with fallen warriors found throughout your crusade and dynamically transform between the characters seamlessly mid-combat with the unique 4-hero party system.The fallen are individual characters with their own unique skill sets, combat styles, and rich history. By absorbing their essence, you inherit the fiber of their very being. The characters' conflicts and synergies greatly impact gameplay, so relationships must be balanced. Strong synergies may offer combat buffs that can spell disaster for the ruthless boss awaiting your steel and magic.Throughout combat, you will charge a sync meter shared across all the characters. During an opportune moment, dispel your sync meter and unleash a devastating Morphstrike using the combined power of the bound fallen warriors. When faced with a formidable abomination, a precisely executed Morphstrike can be the deciding factor between life and death.The world of Deathbound has been lovingly crafted and influenced by the developer’s homeland of Brazil, a vibrant culture brimming with life, creativity, rhythm, and a rich history. From the Afro-Brazilian martial art of Capoeira to the sweeping music cascading through Akratya, TrialForge’s origins shine throughout every aspect of Deathbound.
