Devil May Cry-Inspired 2D Action Game Drops Steam Next Fest Demo

5 Comments | 2D, action, beat em up, celtic, demo, Devil may cry, Hack and slash, Indie, indie.io, medieval, Medieval Fantasy, mythology, pixel art, platformer, spectacle fighter, steam, steam next fest, stylish | By Micheal Patrick | February 26, 2026 | 2 minutes of reading

Hack and slash in this upcoming 2D action game inspired by Devil May Cry! Check out SoulQuest and it’s new demo on Steam!

SoulQuest is a 2D Hack and Slash game by the developers, SoulBlade Studio. Inspired by the Devil May Cry series, the devs wished to create a game that matched the fast and frantic gameplay of the beloved series. However, they put their own twist on things, jumping back to the second dimension and drawing inspiration from Celtic mythology.

The game would host a Kickstarter campaign, achieving its $50,000 goal with a surplus. The game would be featured in the Indie Fan Fest, before a demo released for Steam Next Fest. The demo includes a decent bit of content, including platforming, basic combat, and a boss fight with god.

CUT THROUGH THE LAND IN THIS 2D ACTION PACKED GAME

You play as Alys, who had her husband stolen away by the gods. Fueled by her love, she takes up a sword in a quest to save her love from the machinations of the divine. She will do anything for her love, even if it means to fight the very gods that took him.

The game explores the her pain and uses the background of Celtic mythology for world and setting. This acts as the foundation for a world that is rich in lore, and rendered through gorgeous pixel art. However, this world is dangerous, and the sword she carries will be put to good use.

With the games primary inspiration, combat is all about hacking and slashing through enemies. You chain combos together, engaging them on the ground or in the air, and ranked on the length of these combos. Everything is quick and action packed, regardless if your leaping from cliff to cliff or slaying a monster in your path.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM SOULQUEST

A World of Celtic Myth: Explore a setting with a deep lore that draws inspiration from Celtic myth.
Fast Paced Combat: Rack up stylish combos on the ground and in the air as you cut apart enemies and bosses.
Difficult Platforming: Take on platforming challenges and level design that pushes you to the limit.
Character Driven Narrative: Follow the tale of Alys as she confronts gods to save her love.

SoulQuest is releasing onto Steam in April, though a free demo is available to play before that. You can discuss SoulQuest on the PopGeeks Video Game Forum!

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Member

16 messages 0 likes

#1 Mar 24, 2026

The idea of a 2D action game drawing inspiration from Devil May Cry sounds intriguing, especially considering how well those games handle combo systems and fluidity in combat. I appreciate when developers capture the essence of a classic while offering something new. I wonder how SoulQuest will approach enemy variety and level design—both are crucial for keeping hack and slash gameplay engaging. If it can incorporate environmental storytelling like DMC does, that would definitely enhance the experience. Have you had a chance to try the demo yet? What did you think of the mechanics and overall feel?

Member

492 messages 19 likes

#2 Mar 24, 2026

Played the Steam demo and wow, the platforming is harder than I thought. Some jumps felt like I had to really time it, which I liked, but a few were frustrating. The story about Alys trying to save her husband from the gods is interesting, but I want more cutscenes or dialogue to feel more connected to her. Still, for a 2D action game inspired by Devil May Cry, I think they did a solid job. Can’t wait to see the full game in April.

Heavy_Metallica

Member

959 messages 22 likes

#3 Mar 24, 2026

I gave the demo a shot and I’m hooked. Controlling Alys is satisfying because the sword moves feel weighty but responsive. The boss fight at the end made me rethink how I approach enemies, and I actually enjoyed dying a few times to figure out the patterns. I like the story motivation too; it’s simple but personal, and I find it motivating to keep going. Pixel art can sometimes look flat, but this game has depth in the backgrounds and animations.

Master of Furry Fashion

538 messages 14 likes

#4 Mar 24, 2026

Quick take after playing the demo: this game moves. You slash, jump, combo, and it all feels responsive. The god boss was a good challenge. Alys fighting for her husband gives clear purpose to the action. Celtic inspired world looks beautiful in pixels. Not too long demo but shows enough to make me excited for full game. Easy recommendation for action fans.

Manifesting more seasons of Arcane

69 messages 0 likes

#5 Mar 24, 2026

Demo impressions: I love the art and mythology angle. Celtic mythology is not something you see a lot in games, and it adds personality to the world. The combat is fun and I like experimenting with air combos. Some platforming sections were tricky, but it felt fair. Story-wise, I want to know more about Alys’s husband and what the gods are planning. I hope the game adds more variety to enemy types and abilities in the full release.

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