Magnavale: Eternal Soul is an upcoming gothic Metroidvania developed and published by Barrier Studio. Set within the sprawling, ominous corridors of Castle Lexington, the game blends traditional side-scrolling exploration with dark fantasy RPG elements.
Deeply inspired by the classic PS1, GBA, and DS eras of the Castlevania series, Magnavale: Eternal Soul aims to capture the “Igavania” spirit through detailed pixel art and a focus on soul-collection mechanics reminiscent of titles like Aria of Sorrow.
Gameplay and Mechanics
The core of Magnavale: Eternal Soul revolves around its unique “Soul Reaping” system. Players take on the role of a female protagonist with the ability to steal the souls of her enemies. With over 100 different enemies to encounter, each grants a unique soul ability. these powers vary significantly, allowing players to:
- Conjure projectiles.
- Transform their physical state.
- Summon guardians for protection.
- Modify existing combat abilities.
Combat is further defined by a Dual Wield system, which eliminates the need for constant menu-swapping. Players can simultaneously equip a light, quick weapon (like a sword) and a heavy, long-range weapon (like an axe) to handle various combat scenarios seamlessly.
Exploration and Progression
True to the Metroidvania genre, players must explore the interconnected passages of Castle Lexington to find supplies, armor, and remarkable items that facilitate progression. The game features a strategic approach to death: the protagonist is aided by the Reaper, who revives her at the last save point without the loss of progress. Interestingly, “dying at will” is encouraged as a travel strategy to return to safety, though the developers hint that such shortcuts may come with a hidden cost.
Technical Features
Barrier Studio has included several modern quality-of-life features to complement the retro aesthetic:
- Customizable HUD: Players can attach items to the interface to display additional technical information.
- In-Game Library: A personal repository containing character lore and technical data.
- Modern Performance: Support for frame rates ranging from 60 to 240 FPS, with options for Pixel-Perfect or HD scaling.
- Platform Support: The game is slated for release on Windows and SteamOS/Linux, featuring full controller and keyboard customization.
Magnavale: Eternal Soul is currently listed as “Coming Soon” on Steam. Fans of the genre can Wishlist the title to stay updated on its eventual release.
For me, this game is not available in Steam.
it can currently on be wishlisted.