Alice, whose husband was stolen by Morrigan, the Celtic goddess of death, refuses to yield to fate and single-handedly declares war on the world of the gods. SoulQuest, a 2D action game honed over six years by a single developer, is captivating the indie scene with the unveiling of its first-ever “new boss battle” at Steam Next Fest.
Stylish 2D action game inspired by Celtic mythology
SoulQuest centers on a simple yet powerful revenge narrative. When the gods take her husband, Alice takes up her sword and challenges Morrigan, the goddess of death. The world, rooted in Celtic mythology, extends beyond the setting, organically incorporating it into combat design, level composition, and enemy design.
The game’s core lies in its fast-paced, expressive combat. It’s been praised for transplanting the signature action sensibility of “Devil May Cry” into a 2D pixel art platformer. Attack chains, aerial combos, ability unlocks, and a battle ranking system intertwine, allowing for distinct playstyles based on skill level. The ranking system, awarded based on battle results, serves as a motivator for repeat playthroughs.
The demo version has been further refined, and a new boss battle has been revealed for the first time.
The demo, released alongside Steam Next Fest on February 23rd, is considered the most polished build the development team has ever presented. Set immediately after the main game’s opening mission, it features a new area, new enemy types, and an enhanced difficulty level, offering even more intense combat. The story and level progression are also organically integrated, giving a sense of the impending official release.
The centerpiece of this update is the series’ first-ever “playable new boss battle.” This content, which condenses the depth of the combat system developed in the previous demo, is considered a highlight of the development team’s long and painstaking preparation. Additional enemy encounters and hidden elements are also included, providing plenty of entertainment for both existing and new players.
Community reviews: “The thrill of stylish action in 2D.”
SoulQuest was also featured on major gaming media recommendations at Indie Fan Fest and Steam Next Fest. Game Informer’s Marcus Stewart praised the game’s responsive controls and impactful combos, stating, “Stylish action is rarely seen in 2D with such fluidity.” However, he noted that some aspects of the level design and dialogue quality leave room for improvement.
Steam demo reviews are currently “Very Positive” as of February 2026. As of the 30th, 87% of 31 reviews have been positive, with the combat controls and pixel art visuals receiving particularly high marks.
A one-man development project, 6 years in the making, aimed for release this year.
SoulBlade Studio LLC, the developer of SoulQuest , is an independent indie studio founded in 2023. It is a personal project that development director Tomas J Pereyra has been working on for over six years, and development gained momentum after the success of the Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign.
The developer hinted at a possible official release this year, stating on the Steam community that “2025 will be a year of more progress than the previous five years combined.” The studio is also expanding its presence on the global stage, including by participating in Gamescom 2024 with an indie.io booth.
In a time when the gods ruled the world, a woman took up arms. Soul Quest, with its developers alone, has quietly demonstrated why this reckless challenge was inevitable, a testament to the six years of its development. Where Alice’s journey will end remains unknown. But one thing is certain: even the gods will come to fear her.
Steam Store Page:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2512450/SoulQuest/
