Recently, a new game published by 11bit Studios has stirred some interest, offering a unique twist on the current trends in gaming. Moving away from their usual themes, such as the harrowing war narratives in This War of Mine or the dystopian sci-fi settings in Frostpunk, 11bit is stepping into darker, more fantastical realms with their 2025 release, Death Howl. Developed by the indie Danish studio The Outer Zone, this title promises an intriguing mix of deck-building strategy and soulslike gameplay. The game transports players to a hauntingly beautiful Nordic-inspired world where shadows linger, and every decision counts. After testing out the Steam demo, we’re here to share our first impressions of this ambitious blend of mechanics and atmosphere.
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A Dark World Full of Spirits and Strategy
Death Howl tells a deeply personal story, focusing on Ro, a mother who defies the natural order to enter the realm of spirits in search of her recently deceased son. What starts as a bold rescue mission quickly turns into a perilous journey through a land full of cryptic lore, strange encounters, and an atmosphere that is as melancholic as it is eerie. The pixel art style contributes significantly to this mood, with its dark visuals paired with an entrancing soundtrack that immerses you in the protagonist’s emotional weight. Ro’s journey is one of sacrifice, as she navigates this spectral world and faces its challenges head-on.
In gameplay, Ro must engage in tactical turn-based combat on a grid-like map. Each move requires careful planning since every step consumes energy, and players need to be strategic to avoid the swift attacks of enemies. This element of resource management is crucial, making every battle feel tense and consequential. The game mixes strategic deck-building with combat, pushing players to refine their decks as they progress through the game. Cards are essential for both attacks and movement, and their effectiveness is not fully understood until they are used, which adds a layer of experimentation and learning, even if it means dying to figure things out.
Deck-Building and Combat in a Ghostly World
A standout mechanic in Death Howl is the concept of “Death Screams”, which are earned by defeating enemies and can be used to craft new cards or unlock permanent upgrades in sanctuaries, peaceful resting spots where Ro can improve her deck and teleport to new locations. Each enemy you face has its own unique traits, and the key to survival lies in adapting your strategy accordingly. The game encourages trial and error—sometimes you’ll need to fail before you truly understand how best to face the dangers of the world.
Our time spent with the demo offered a glimpse into the different playstyles you can develop. You can choose a melee approach, buffing your stats for close combat, or focus on ranged attacks, or even a defensive strategy that uses armor and energy management. Each path feels distinct and offers different ways to build your character’s deck, which ensures the gameplay remains fresh. The exploration aspect is also promising, with varied biomes like the Howling Shadow Forest and the Fields of Delusion, each offering its own lore, enemies, and gameplay dynamics. The world map feels large, and while our exploration was still limited, there’s a sense of vastness that hints at the game’s replayability.
The Souls-like Experience – More Than Just Atmosphere?
One point of concern is the way Death Howl is marketed as a soulslike experience. While the game does offer a dense atmosphere and high-stakes battles, the difficulty usually associated with the genre isn’t as prominent here. The game’s challenge feels more tactical than punishing, with the emphasis placed on strategic planning rather than trial-and-error combat typical of soulslike titles. This could either be a strength or a weakness, depending on what players expect from the genre.
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Additionally, the pacing of the game, at least in the demo, feels a bit slower than what you might find in a more traditional roguelike deck-builder. The absence of a true roguelike structure, where each run is unique and filled with random elements, could leave some players feeling that the game lacks a certain level of replay value. It’s still too early to say how this will evolve, especially as we wait for the full release in 2025.
A Promising Future with Room to Grow
Despite a few questions about the overall structure and pacing, Death Howl is shaping up to be an intriguing title. Its combination of deck-building and soulslike elements, paired with its atmospheric design, provides a fresh take on both genres. The rich, haunting world, along with the deep personal story of Ro, gives the game emotional weight that sets it apart from other titles in the market.
While the demo is far from perfect, it’s clear that there’s a lot of potential here. The pixel art is stunning, and the music pulls you right into its melancholic world. If the full version can build on these foundations, it could offer a deeply immersive experience, blending strategy, lore, and atmosphere in a way that feels both new and familiar.
As we await its full release, Death Howl already offers a glimpse into a dark, strategic world full of mysteries and challenges. The game’s unique blend of mechanics and story, coupled with the promise of deeper exploration and customization, ensures it’s one to watch closely as it nears its 2025 launch.