It looks like we’ve got some exciting developments around the PC version of Lost Soul Aside, a game published by Sony, set for its launch in 2025. Lost Soul Aside has quietly removed the need for players to link their PlayStation Network (PSN) accounts, which had been a hot topic of debate. By lifting this requirement, Sony plans to broaden its sales strategy, reaching countries where PSN isn’t available, thereby opening doors to a wider player base.
If you’re not familiar, Lost Soul Aside has been generating a decent amount of buzz. It’s an indie action RPG sprouting from PlayStation’s respected China Hero Project initiative. Created by UltiZeroGames in Shanghai, this hack-and-slash game draws inspiration from the dynamic combat of titles like Devil May Cry. It’s been nearly nine years in the making, and Sony has been supporting its development while preparing to release it on both PS5 and PC. However, last year, Sony stirred some controversy by mandating PSN account links for its PC games, and it seems they are now reconsidering that approach.
Over 100 countries do not support PSN, meaning the previous requirements could have significantly limited where Sony could sell its games, thereby affecting sales. However, Lost Soul Aside is seemingly bucking that trend. Right after its latest trailer in December 2024, which piqued plenty of interest, the game’s Steam page was updated. Initially, the page did mention the need for a PSN account, but soon after, that requirement vanished according to updates on SteamDB.
Importantly, Lost Soul Aside isn’t alone in this shift. It’s actually the second game from Sony to drop the PSN account linking requirement, following the footsteps of Helldivers 2. The latter had stirred its own pot of controversy over linking accounts, and it seems like Sony might be softening its approach. The fact that Lost Soul Aside won’t be bound by this rule suggests a possible change in attitude from Sony regarding how it handles its PC releases.
Why Sony opted to relax its policy for Lost Soul Aside isn’t entirely clear, but it’s speculated that they’re looking to maximize the game’s visibility and sales across various regions. In the past, PlayStation games on PC had seen diminished success after the PSN link was enforced. For example, God of War Ragnarok, despite its roaring popularity, saw significantly fewer Steam players compared to its predecessor.
To add to the anticipation, Lost Soul Aside promises to be quite the adventure. Players will be embarking on a thrilling journey to rescue a sibling from inter-dimensional invaders. Along the way, they’ll engage in fast-paced combat, unlock new powers, and upgrade their gear to tackle formidable enemies and massive bosses. Developed by UltiZeroGames, and powered by Unreal Engine 4, it’s shaping up to be a must-watch title for next year, with both PC and PS5 launches expected in 2025.
