Soul Stalker by Radhood is a fresh entry into the roguelike genre, combining the strategic elements of Slay the Spire with the fast-paced action of Vampire Survivors. Released in Early Access on 4th August 2023, and with a full launch last 23rd October 2024 on multiple platforms, Soul Stalker draws you into the role of a supernatural steward tasked with exorcising ghosts haunting the minds of townsfolk. With a charming, Paper Mario-inspired art style, tons of character options and combinations, and a strategic but straightforward gameplay loop, Soul Stalker is an addictive romp with plenty of replay value.
Gameplay: Simplicity Meets Strategic Depth
One of the biggest draws of Soul Stalker is its simplicity — from the straightforward controls to the minimalistic settings. Players have the option to wield up to four weapons at once, each auto-attacking based on positioning and timing, similar to the mechanics in Vampire Survivors. What makes Soul Stalker stand out is the wide variety of combinations available. With 21 characters to unlock, an array of weapon upgrades, and dozens of trinkets that grant additional buffs and abilities, each run definitely feels unique.
The sheer variety means every player can find a playstyle that suits them, whether that’s leaning into melee, ranged, or a carefully curated blend of both. As you progress in your journey, you’ll have choices reminiscent of Slay the Spire: whether to heal your HP, upgrade or evolve your weapons at Campsites, take on powerful Elite enemies for high rewards, or visit stores to spend your accrued coins dropped by enemies in each level, up to reaching the boss in each level. The option to customise builds as you unlock new characters or experiment with different weapons and trinkets makes Soul Stalker a highly replayable experience, adding layers of strategy that keep it engaging.
Progression and Customisation: A Satisfying Climb
Each completed run, whether a victory or defeat, rewards players with souls, a currency that unlocks starting trinkets to improve your chances in the next run. The two gameplay modes — the primary Journey mode with continuous progression across multiple levels, and Jobs with a pre-defined character and weapon — ensure that you’re not only challenged but also rewarded for experimenting with different builds. The Journey mode, which spans multiple levels, adds to the game’s depth and gives it a structure reminiscent of Hades’ son climb through the underworld.
The game’s currency and power-ups work harmoniously, encouraging players to unlock new characters, try different weapon and trinket combinations, and fine-tune their approach. There’s always a sense of progress as you accumulate souls, and the game’s randomised elements keep things fresh by adding that unpredictable factor, meaning you can never be sure if your current run will be “the one.”
Visual and Audio Design: Simple Yet Charming
Visually, Soul Stalker is endearing. Although the environments are kept simple and minimalistic, the characters look crafted with care, so despite the enemies sometimes feeling a little repetitive, the overall design is pleasing enough that it’s unlikely to bother fans of the genre. The game’s art style, blending 2D and 3D elements with a charming, cartoonish vibe, offers a fresh, lighter take compared to the starker tones of other roguelikes.
The soundtrack stands out in the genre as well. Featuring melodies reminiscent of classic RPGs, it’s rather soothing than stressful, helping to create a cute, nostalgic atmosphere. Unlike the frantic or overly intense soundtracks of some roguelikes, Soul Stalker’s audio is melodic and enjoyable, an element that adds to the game’s appeal and overall cute vibe.
A Few Minor Drawbacks
One area where Soul Stalker falls slightly short is its optimisation for console players. The user interface on PS5 can feel clunky, solely relying on the cursor to select the options, and overlay large interface elements, feels like it would be a better fit for a handheld like Switch, or a PC with a mouse. Although this doesn’t detract significantly from gameplay enjoyment, it’s an area that would benefit from refinement, particularly given the game’s release on multiple platforms.
The occasional repetitiveness in enemy designs may be considered another minor drawback. While this won’t be an issue for most fans of the genre, players looking for high visual variety might find it a bit monotonous over extended play sessions and consecutive runs.
Conclusion: A Fresh, Addictive Take on the Roguelike Genre
Soul Stalker is a delightfully addictive roguelike that successfully combines elements from genre giants like Vampire Survivors and Slay the Spire while standing out with its unique charm. With its satisfying blend of strategic customisation, fast-paced action, and cute art style, it’s a title that both newcomers to roguelikes and veteran fans will enjoy. Minor UI quirks aside, the game offers immense replayability with its vast character roster, weapon combinations, and randomised runs.
If you’re a fan of the genre or looking for a fresh entry point, Soul Stalker is well worth the dive. The charming visuals, catchy soundtrack, and strategic gameplay come together to create an experience that will have you returning again and again, perfecting your build and strategy, unlocking all the characters, experimenting and inching closer to mastering the game’s ghostly challenges.
