When someone leaves a legendary studio like FromSoftware, expectations naturally skyrocket. After all, we’re talking about the people who shaped Elden Ring, Dark Souls, and Bloodborne—games that have practically redefined what it means to suffer (and enjoy it) in modern gaming. But for one former developer who branched out solo, the road has turned out to be far bumpier than expected.
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A solo debut from a Soulsborne veteran
Known in the gaming scene as Hytacka, the developer cut his teeth on Dark Souls III and its acclaimed DLC before setting off to launch an independent studio. His first project, Rise of Rebellion, dropped recently on Steam with all the telltale signs of a souls-like: punishing combat, grim fantasy aesthetic, and a vague story that begs to be pieced together. But if you’ve never heard of the game, you’re not alone—and that’s part of the problem.
Despite years of development and early buzz around its 2023 demo, the final release has landed with a thud. Reviews are less than kind, Steam players have rated the game “mixed” at just 41%, and only a few thousand copies have sold so far—somewhere between 3,000 and 5,000, a far cry from the 100,000+ units the team was aiming for.
Why Rise of Rebellion failed to connect ?
Here’s the thing: making a great souls-like is hard, even if you’ve been part of the magic behind FromSoftware’s biggest titles. Rise of Rebellion was meant to offer a fresh but familiar challenge, yet early impressions were so lackluster that Hytacka reportedly reworked major parts of the game post-demo. Sadly, the relaunch didn’t change the tide.
I tried the demo out of curiosity—hoping for a diamond in the rough—and was greeted with janky combat, clunky level design, and enemies that felt less like a challenge and more like a chore. It reminded me of when I first picked up Lords of the Fallen back in 2014 and immediately longed for the elegance of a true Souls game.
According to Hytacka himself, who addressed the situation in a YouTube video, Rise of Rebellion has been a commercial disappointment. There are still plans to patch bugs and introduce a “easy mode” for more casual players, but there won’t be any major content expansions. No DLC, no new areas—just some post-launch maintenance and lessons learned.
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What’s next for Hytacka?
Despite the rocky start, Hytacka isn’t calling it quits. In fact, he’s already expressed interest in continuing to build ambitious video games, even if Rise of Rebellion didn’t deliver. And that’s honestly something to admire. Not every project is going to be a blockbuster, but the drive to keep creating is what separates career developers from one-hit wonders.
The indie gaming scene is littered with titles that stumbled before they soared (Hello Games, anyone?). So maybe, just maybe, this isn’t the end of Hytacka’s journey—it’s just his awkward first step outside the shadows of gaming giants.
For fans of souls-like games, Rise of Rebellion might still be worth checking out—especially with its low price tag and potential for improvement. But if you’re expecting another Elden Ring, you’re in for a tough lesson in expectations.