Netherworld Covenant is a Soulslike Roguelike Title That Deserves Your Attention

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Netherworld Covenant, a dark fantasy action game that blends tactical soulslike combat with roguelike elements, entered Steam Early Access on June 18. This 3D isometric title, developed and still being developed by the two-person Chinese MadGoat Game Studio and published by Infini Fun, is set in the cursed land of Languireg, where players use the forbidden Nether Lantern to fight corrupted heroes and demonic lords.

Combat in Netherworld Covenant demands precision, not random button mashing. You’ll need to master parrying, dodging, and the Ethereal Dash to evade incoming attacks. The risk-reward system punishes every mistake, making stamina management crucial in the fight against a diverse range of enemies, from beast hunters and archers to soul-devourers.

The Soul Companion mechanic allows you to summon allies like swordsmen, rangers, guardians, or vagrants. Each companion has unique abilities and allows you to bypass obstacles, ambush enemies, or evade powerful attacks. With over 100 skill combinations, 15 main weapons, and five auxiliary weapons, you have plenty of options to create diverse builds that suit your preferred playstyle.

Exploration in Netherworld Covenant takes place within procedurally generated labyrinths. The Early Access version features four distinct chapters: a dungeon, a village, a coastal fishing settlement, and a black tower. Each chapter has unique landscapes, two elite bosses, and a final chapter boss. Every time you defeat larger enemies, such as giant beasts or fallen heroes, you always gain temporary buffs and resources to aid your progress.

Between each run, you’ll return to the border camp where you can craft weapons from demon blood, gather supplies, and create new spectral allies. The developers at MadGoat Game Studio plan to add new chapters, weapons, relics, and difficulty levels, while simultaneously fixing various bugs.