Soulstone Survivors,an action roguelike with RPG elements, has been in Early Access since 2022 and is currently preparing for its 1.0 launch in mid-June for both PC and console. Developer Game Smithing Limited has been working closely with the community throughout the Early Access period to improve the game and add new modes, characters, weapons, skills, and more. However, asSoulstone Survivorsapproaches launch, the game has one more big secret ready to surprise its fans - which the developers revealed to Game Rant in an exclusive interview.
In a conversation with Game Rant atGamescom LATAM 2025, Game Smithing co-founder andSoulstone Survivorsdeveloper Allan Smith shared the big secret: the 1.0 version of the game will contain a significant amount of lore and story not currently featured in the Early Access version. Some of the game’s maps have been rearranged to present a more chronological story, explaining the reason why the playable characters have become Void Hunters and need to defeat enemies and claim their Soulstones.
Soulstone SurvivorsMoves From Focus On Mechanics To Focus On Story
The developers have always intended to add more information about the game’s deeper story, Smith revealed. “It always existed from our side. It’s something we’re always thinking about - why you’re doing what you’re doing.” Until now, however, this lore has not been present in the game itself, as theEarly Accessversion ofSoulstone Survivorsfocused heavily on mechanics, adding new playable characters and bosses and the ability for players to explore a wide variety of complex builds.
Now, however, with the addition of the lore-based content, Smith feels that the game will have “more meaning” beyond simply experimenting with builds. He teased exactly what was coming in the 1.0 release of the game, which will debut in June for both PC viaSteamand console:
“With this last chapter, now you understand why you’re killing everyone. So it’s about bringing a little bit of this meaning to the game. It’s about bringing in the two last characters that we promised, and they are really, really cool. We’re kind of saving the best for last.”
Soulstone SurvivorsIs Set Apart By The Complexity Of Its World And Story
Although it draws inspiration from other games in the “bullet heaven"Survivorsgenre,Soulstone Survivorsendeavors to set itself apart by focusing on more than just mechanics. It utilizes RPG elements to bring in character moments and reveal more about the world and why it is so crucial that the player gather the Soulstones, hunt the Titans and other colossal bosses, and ultimately face down the Void King.
Smith revealed that, with the new lore-based content and additional chapter, the 1.0 launch ofSoulstone Survivors"will actually probably be the best time to start playing the game.” He encouraged people who have previously tried the game during Early Access, fans ofVampire Survivorsand other games in the genre, and people who are new toSoulstone Survivorstry out the launch version. “There will be a new initial experience in the game where you really get more familiar with the world - with the meaning [and] the reasoning,” Smith said.
TheSoulstone Survivorsdevelopment team has combined their lifelong passion for the roguelike genre with inspiration ranging fromSlay the SpiretoBalatroto create a unique, multi-layered experience that will be fun for both new players and those who have been around since Day 1 of Early Access. Smith encouraged players to get in touch with him and the team via Discord and forums to share their thoughts on the new lore and story elements when the game launches in June.
