Sony Blocks Lost Soul Aside on Steam in 130+ Countries

Lost Soul Aside's Steam release will be region-locked for over 130 countries, sparking frustration among PC gamers and impacting sales. Read on to learn more about 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 significant region lock, frustrating players and highlighting ongoing limitations on PlayStation-published games. SteamDB data reveals the game's unavailability in over 130 countries, all lacking PlayStation Network (PSN) support.

While Lost Soul Aside doesn't require a PSN account to play, the region lock prevents the game's appearance on Steam in those unsupported countries. Players wishing to access the game must create a new Steam account in a PSN-supported region—a cumbersome workaround. This is particularly perplexing given PlayStation's recent removal of PSN requirements for its PC titles. The resulting outrage on social media is palpable, with many players opting to boycott the game due to this restriction.

Blending Fantasy and Realism

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

Bing confirmed the consistent stylistic vision since the 2016 promotional video, including the fast-paced, flashy combat. He stated, "This is something we've been committed to for years. Of course, we've seen excellent new works during development, influencing our thinking. The initial trailer has evolved into a more mature and refined version."

Bing previously cited Final Fantasy XV as an influence, referencing the game's protagonist, Kaser, as an example of the blend of cartoonish features (facial features, hairstyle) with realistic textures (skin, hair, clothing).

Influences from Gaming Giants

Lost Soul Aside draws inspiration from prominent Japanese titles like Final Fantasy, Bayonetta, Ninja Gaiden, and Devil May Cry, evident in various aspects of the game. A February 20, 2025 Famitsu interview with Bing detailed these influences.

He highlighted Final Fantasy's impact on Kaser's design, stating, "Our designer created the character's clothing, aiming for a blend of realism and fantasy, much like in FF. The in-game reproduction aims to give players a sense of tangible existence, making Kazel feel like a real, visceral character."

Regarding combat, Bing cited Bayonetta, Ninja Gaiden, and Devil May Cry as influences for the game's flashy abilities and fast-paced action. He added, "We continually refine the combat system, balancing speed and depth. Players can develop unique styles, and even those less skilled with complex combos can achieve high performance using various game mechanics."

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