STACK #250 August 2025

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GAMING FEATURE

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Lost Soul Aside has been in development since 2014. DYK?

world isn’t just eye candy - it’s filled with secrets, monsters, and unpredictable events that keep you interested.” The story of protagonist Kaser – who sets out to rescue his sister and save the world from mysterious

multidimensional invaders alongside his trusty dragon-like companion Arena - is one that’s close to Bing’s heart. “ Lost Soul Aside weaves in a narrative about Kaser’s journey of redemption and discovery. As he uncovers the truth about Arena and their shared power, players will encounter a mix of personal challenges and high-stakes conflicts. “The story focuses on creating memorable moments and connections, offering surprises without overwhelming the gameplay experience. And yes, there’s plenty of drama, because who doesn’t love a good gasp-worthy moment?” But what really makes the game tick is its combat. “My goal was simple: make combat so fluid, fast, and stylish that you never want to put the controller down,” says Bing. “Kaser’s shape-shifting weapon adapts to your combat style. Are you a precise swordsman? A fan of devastating ranged attacks? Maybe you like high-speed mobility? Whatever your preference, the different type of weapons will serve you well. “One standout moment during development was designing the boss battles. The fight with a towering dragon remains one of my personal favourites. It challenges you to juggle aerial dodges, perfectly timed counters, and relentless strikes. Not to mention, it’s a visual feast that feels like being part of your own epic action movie.” All eye candy and no depth wouldn’t work though – so luckily Lost Soul Aside delivers both. “Beneath the flashy moves, there’s depth for players who love to experiment,” Bing promises. “You can customise loadouts, chain synergistic combos, and strategize with Arena. His abilities aren’t just support – they’re game-changers, turning tough battles in your favour when used wisely.” Ultimately, Bing hopes that Lost Soul Aside will entertain - and be remembered. “I really hope we’ve made a game that players like. I hope it can succeed on the commercial side, but the more important thing is that people can feel something unique – that it’s a truly good game that people will remember even after many years pass by.”

What started as one man’s dream has turned into hotly anticipated action RPG Lost Soul Aside , which releases this month. Game director and CEO at Ultizero Games,Yang Bing, tells us more of how his dream became a reality, and what we should expect from it. Words Bec Summer S o, what motivated Bing to take on such a potentially daunting project singlehandedly? SOUL SACRIFICE

• Lost Soul Aside is out Aug 29

“My motivation of developing a game was because it was a dream from when I was still a boy, as a player. Back in that time I hadn’t thought about doing this seriously, I just purely wanted to compete as a player.” The journey of Lost Soul Aside from one man’s creation to a major team effort really began when Bing first showed off his initial work to the world. “I’d been working on it alone for two years. After I’d uploaded a working trailer onto the internet and got attention from the public, many people in China and from abroad contacted and supported me. That really cheered me up! But I was still thinking about if I could really complete it. “SIESH [Sony Interactive Entertainment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.] contacted me at that time, and they said there was a thing called China Hero Project. I then thought I might be able to make it as a commercial title, as they could help an individual developer in many ways.” After becoming a team effort, developing

the game for major release wasn’t an easy process, and it had a steep learning curve. “We kept encountering endless bugs during development, and fields we weren’t familiar with,” admits Bing. “I had to dig and study until I could implement these functions. This frustration was section by section, but the joy is piece by piece.” Bing and his counterparts have crafted an engaging, science fiction influenced world for their game. “Creating the world of Lost Soul Aside was like painting with imagination on a sci-fi fantasy canvas. You’ll traverse landscapes that feel alive: sunlit plains, mysterious ancient ruins, and alternate dimensions that buzz with energy. This

Inspirations for Lost Soul Aside include the Final Fantasy, Bayonetta, Devil May Cry, and Ninja Gaiden series. DYK?