The highly anticipated action RPG Lost Soul Aside finally launched on August 29th after years of development, but its PC version is facing significant criticism due to numerous performance issues. Published by PlayStation for both PC and PS5 platforms, this hack-and-slash adventure game features combat mechanics that have drawn comparisons to popular titles like Devil May Cry and Final Fantasy XVI.

Lost Soul Aside began as an ambitious solo project by Chinese developer Yang Bing back in 2014. Over the following years, the project evolved significantly as Yang formed Ultizero Games studio and partnered with Sony to bring his vision to reality. Originally scheduled for a May 2025 release, the game was delayed to August to allow additional development time for polishing what had become a decade-long passion project.

Despite the extended development period, Lost Soul Aside's PC release has been met with considerable criticism. The game currently holds a 'Mixed' rating on Steam, with only 41% of user reviews recommending the title. Players are reporting numerous technical problems including camera stuttering, sudden frame rate drops, and various visual glitches that significantly impact the gaming experience.

The development team has acknowledged these issues and released a Day 1 patch aimed at addressing performance problems. However, early reports suggest the patch has provided minimal improvement. Beyond technical performance, players have criticized the game's story pacing, character movement mechanics, and camera angles. The $70 price point has also drawn scrutiny, with many reviewers suggesting a $40 price tag would be more appropriate given the current state of the PC version.

Player engagement metrics paint a concerning picture, with the game struggling to surpass 3,000 concurrent players during its launch day. This stands in stark contrast to the PlayStation 5 version, which currently maintains a 4.11/5 average rating with over 1,100 reviews. Many speculate that the performance disparity between platforms may relate to Unreal Engine optimization issues, though developers have not confirmed this theory.

For potential buyers who remain uncertain about the game's performance on their systems, Lost Soul Aside offers a free demo on both PC and PS5. This allows players to test the game before making a purchase decision. Additionally, Sony has removed regional restrictions on the PC version, making the game more accessible to international audiences.