New Retro Soulslike Game on Steam Has PS1-Era Graphics, and It's Promising

Gaming trends come and go, but before they go out of vogue, players will often be able to try dozens of titles that chase those trends. Battle royale games and hero shooters tend to be very common nowadays, and right behind them are soulslikes. In addition to the work of FromSoftware, who pioneered the genre, there is a healthy mix of AAA attempts as well as indie developers trying to make it big by dropping their soulsite or soulslike on Steam. That’s exactly what solo developer Maruko seems to be doing with their game Forgotten Blood, though the soulslike boom isn’t the only rising trend the game leans into.

Gaming trends aren’t just genre-specific, as they can also apply to settings, mechanics, and art styles. It’s that final point worth highlighting when it comes to Forgotten Blood, as the game embraces an increasingly popular PS1 aesthetic for its visuals. This approach has been used by several indie horror titles to recreate the somewhat unsettling vibe that came from the low-poly models of the original PlayStation, and it can help mask a game not having the resources to look cutting edge. While the idea of the PS1 being considered retro may sound strange, the console is over three decades old now, and in that time, graphics have come a long way. Those who miss that 90s video game vibe could get a burst of nostalgia from Forgotten Blood, while the upcoming Steam title offering soulslike gameplay could help it appeal to modern audiences.

Forgotten Blood Features at a Glance

• FIGHT challenging enemies befitting of a dark fantasy setting.
• LOOT breakable vases and hidden chests.
• DISCOVER hidden areas by finding illusory walls.
• INTERACT with NPC vendors for lore and upgrades.
• EXPLORE an open map with branching paths.
• EXPERIENCE a story about redemption and survival.

Forgotten Blood is Drowning in Soulslike Inspirations

While the first-person perspective of this upcoming 2026 game is obviously a big change from the work of FromSoftware, there are numerous aspects of the title that feel directly inspired by the studio’s work. Elements of the HUD, like the item selection in the bottom left corner, are presented in a way that's exactly what one would expect to see from the soulslike genre. The same goes for the “unforgiving” combat, which is another staple of the genre, and the level of challenge should do a fine job of keeping players on edge as they work their way through the Forgotten Valley.

Additionally, the game’s premise feels as if it’s ripped straight out FromSoftware's book of game ideas. Players control a “lone wanderer” who is seeking a cure to “shatter the cycle of final death.” What exactly the ancient curse players are aiming to lift does is unclear, but along the way, they’ll be able to piece together lore about what happened to the world they’re exploring. They’ll also be able to interact and trade with at least one NPC, and while it remains to be seen how deep this particular interaction goes, developer Maruko will likely use it to pique players’ interest in the backstory of Forgotten Blood.

Image via Maruko

As if the fantasy setting, tough combat, and vague storytelling weren’t enough to create a FromSoftware-like experience, there’s also the exploration to consider. In the trailer attached to the game’s Steam page, all the best parts of exploring in FromSoftware games are present. If players are thorough, not only will they find chests around corners and tucked away in the back of carriages, but they’ll be able to find illusory walls as well that hide more loot. And while players may be smashing them with their weapon as opposed to dodge-rolling through them, they’ll want to break every vase they come across, as they too can house loot. While details are scarce about the structure of the world — “open with branching paths” sounds more like the Dark Souls series than Elden Ring — the game does seem to tick all the soulslike boxes when it comes to exploring.

Forgotten Blood’s Aesthetic Gives It The Edge It Needs to Stand Out

With so many indie soulslikes being released, not to mention AAA entries on the way like The Duskbloods and Lies of P’s successor, it’s more important than ever for those creating games in this space to make their work stand out. Fortunately, Forgotten Blood is doing just that. First off, there’s its first-person perspective, which instantly differentiates the game from a sea of third-person soulslikes. Even more importantly, though, is the aforementioned PS1 visual style.

There’s something special about seeing Forgotten Blood in action, particularly its environments. Like FromSoftware’s games, it achieves a feeling of epicness through scale, such as huge entryways and towers that loom over the player character. Nailing these vibes was something uncommon in actual PS1-era games, and it goes a long way to making Forgotten Blood such an appealing hybrid of new and old. Even with the PS1 coat of paint, some of the locations in the trailer are jaw-droppingly beautiful. So long as the combat is satisfying, this Steam game could really wow players, as its deliberately old-looking world is already working to its benefit. Combing a PS1 aesthetic with a genre that debuted long after the console was taken off store shelves is a brilliant concept, and if this game proves successful, perhaps more old-school soulslikes will follow.