8Bit/Digi

The 2024 Game Developers Conference was not just about understanding what’s new in the industry but also a chance to play some upcoming titles. During the week, I got to try some titles that are set to launch soon or sometime in the future. One such game I got to demo was Soul Covenant.

Soul Covenant is a VR JRPG that is set to launch on April 18th. I got the chance to meet the development team behind it during a special off-site session. This is my first-hand experience of playing the game during the 2024 Game Developers Conference. 

Welcome to the Future 

Soul Covenant is set in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo in which an artificial intelligence has wiped out most of humanity and only a small remnant remains fighting for survival. Mankind’s only hope is an army of enhanced humans called Avatars. Their main weapon is the Scapegoat, created from the enhanced bodies of their fallen comrades. Players will battle the machines while also growing stronger using the memories of their fallen comrades. 

Check out this short trailer to get an idea about the game: 

Playthrough of Soul Covenant 

The demo session began with the tutorial in which I’m guided through understanding the gameplay mechanics. Guided by a former commander, I learned how to navigate through the world and how to fight. This was also an opportunity to learn all the key aspects of the Scapegoat, particularly how one could get the most out of their weapons. The location of the training also allowed me to get a good idea about the world and the works that inspired it. 

Following the tutorial, I played a short game in which I and several Avatars have to attack machine forces in an underground labyrinth. Here; I got to put everything I learned to the test by battling waves of machine forces before moving on to the next stage. In the end, I confronted the boss and defeated it. However, it ends with a scripted moment in which I’m killed at the end. All part of the game’s overall themes of death and passing on to the next hero.

Thoughts on Soul Covenant

I admire a game that proudly displays the titles that influenced its creation. Immediately evident is the unmistakable influence of NieR: Automata on the lore of Soul Covenant. However, it’s crucial to note that while the inspiration is apparent, the game possesses its own unique storyline with distinct plot elements and deviations. This inspiration is not only evident in the lore but also in the world’s design and artistic choices. One will also not find this inspiration in the worlds design and the artistic choices made. Instead; I’m tossed into a post-apocalyptic world that is more akin to God Eater in regards to the aesthetic choices and artistic design.

Besides the familiar story and the awe-inspiring artistic choices of the world, the gameplay was on par with what I would expect. While the session only provided a small sample of what to expect, it was enough to give men an idea of what to expect. The hack-and-slash combat was intense and it does require players to think critically and use all the tools at their disposal. While I did want to examine the concept of death and rebirth, that will have to wait until the game actually launches.

Soul Covenant is set to launch for the Meta Quest, PlayStation VR2, and PCVR on April 18th. The game is now available for pre-order.

This article is part of our coverage of the 2024 Game Developers Conference. If you attended the event, please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Disclaimer: GDC provided 8Bit/Digi with press passes for the event.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides an insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.