Lost Soul Aside's Steam release will be region-locked, excluding access for players in over 130 countries. This decision has sparked significant frustration among PC gamers, leading many to reconsider their purchase. Let's delve into the details surrounding this region lock and recent interviews with the game's director.

Lost Soul Aside Locked Out of 130+ Countries at Launch

Player Backlash Over Region Lock

UltiZero Games' Lost Soul Aside will launch with a region lock, a move that has angered many gamers. This limitation stems from Sony's ongoing restrictions on the availability of PlayStation-published titles. According to SteamDB, the game will be inaccessible in over 130 countries—all unsupported by the PlayStation Network (PSN).

While Lost Soul Aside doesn't require a PSN account to play, the region lock prevents the game from appearing on Steam in these PSN-unsupported regions. To play, players from affected countries must create a new Steam account registered in a PSN-supported region. This baffling decision comes on the heels of PlayStation's recent removal of PSN requirements for its PC titles, further fueling the outrage. Social media and online forums are ablaze with angry gamers, many choosing to boycott the game due to this restriction.

A Blend of Fantasy and Realism

Since its 2016 announcement, Lost Soul Aside has consistently maintained its unique blend of fantasy elements and realistic visuals. In a February 20, 2025, interview with IGN, UltiZero Games CEO Yang Bing discussed the game's inspiration and artistic style.

Bing confirmed that the style, including the high-speed, flashy combat, remains faithful to its initial 2016 promotional video. He explained, "This is something we've consistently adhered to throughout development. Naturally, we've been influenced by other excellent works along the way, shaping our vision. The initial trailer has evolved into a more mature and refined product."

Bing previously cited Final Fantasy XV as a key influence, highlighting its similar blend of reality and fantasy. He pointed to the protagonist, Kaser, as a prime example, showcasing cartoonish features contrasted with realistic skin, hair, and clothing textures.

Influences from Gaming Giants

Lost Soul Aside draws inspiration from several popular Japanese titles, including Final Fantasy, Bayonetta, Ninja Gaiden, and Devil May Cry. In a February 20, 2025, interview with Famitsu, Bing detailed these influences and their impact on the game's design.

He highlighted the Final Fantasy series' influence on Kaser's design, stating, "We had a designer create the character's clothing, aiming to blend realistic and fantasy elements, much like in Final Fantasy. These designs were then meticulously recreated in-game, giving players a sense of tangible reality and grounding Kaser as a believable character."

Regarding the combat, Bing cited Bayonetta, Ninja Gaiden, and Devil May Cry as inspirations for the flashy abilities and fast-paced action. He added, "We've continuously refined the combat system, balancing speed with depth. Players can develop their own style; even those less skilled with complex combos can utilize various systems to achieve high performance."

Lost Soul Aside launches May 30, 2025, on PlayStation 5 and PC. Stay tuned for further updates!