Netherworld Covenant cuts through the noise of roguelikes and Souls-likes by fusing the best parts of both into one sharp, atmospheric experience. With brutal tactical combat, an eerie dark fantasy world, and a soul-binding system that changes how players fight and grow each run, this Early Access title offers more than just another dungeon dive—it demands mastery and rewards obsession.
A haunting new world born from a tiny team with big ideas
Built by just two developers at MadGoat Game Studio in China, Netherworld Covenant shows what focused vision can achieve. Backed by Infini Fun, a new publisher founded in 2024 with industry veterans at the helm, the game enters Early Access with a solid core already earning praise. It blends the deliberate pacing of Souls-like combat with roguelike features like procedural generation, build diversity, and per-run progression.
The game doesn’t just mash genres together—it weaves them tightly. Each battle forces players to think about timing and space like a Souls game while also adapting to ever-changing layouts and enemy patterns common in roguelikes. Every run feels like a gamble where failure teaches lessons and success brings power.
The Nether Lantern binds life and death into gameplay
At the heart of Netherworld Covenant lies a mysterious artifact called the Nether Lantern. It’s not just for lore—it’s the central mechanic driving player growth. The Lantern lets players form pacts with souls of fallen allies during combat. These aren’t just passive bonuses or throwaway summons. Each soul companion adds unique abilities that can drastically change how battles play out.
This system brings deep strategy to each run. Choosing which soul to bind can mean the difference between surviving a tough boss or falling mid-fight. One companion might give access to ranged attacks, while another boosts defense or allows area-of-effect damage. Players must learn to adapt their builds on the fly based on what souls they encounter—and which ones they choose to trust.
During one intense run through a frost-bitten catacomb, a player forged a pact with a pyromancer soul that turned their slow sword swings into fiery arcs. That single choice melted through ice-armored foes who had ended several previous runs. The Lantern doesn’t just offer power; it offers agency.
Combat that punishes mistakes but rewards patience and precision
-large”>
The combat in Netherworld Covenant feels tight and purposeful. Every swing matters. Every dodge counts. It’s not about mashing buttons or flashy combos—it’s about reading enemies, watching for openings, and making split-second decisions that stick.
The animations are smooth, but more importantly, they carry weight. Hitting an enemy feels satisfying—not because of over-the-top effects—but because the impact registers clearly through sound design and motion. There’s no fluff here—just raw feedback that makes each strike feel earned.
The bosses take this challenge up another level. Each has unique mechanics that force players to rethink their strategies. One early boss—a towering knight bound in chains—uses sweeping attacks that punish greedy players who overextend after dodging his slow windups. Learning his pattern takes time, but once mastered, beating him feels less like luck and more like growth.
A visual style soaked in shadow and sorrow
Netherworld Covenant builds its identity through atmosphere as much as mechanics. Its 3D isometric view gives players enough distance to see threats coming while still drawing them into its dark fantasy world.
The game doesn’t rely on flashy colors or high saturation; instead, it embraces muted tones, flickering lanterns, crumbling ruins, and pale ghosts wandering empty halls. This aesthetic choice reinforces its themes—death, decay, forgotten pacts—and makes every level feel haunted even before enemies appear.
The environments tell stories without needing text dumps or cutscenes. A broken bridge lined with soul sigils hints at ancient rituals gone wrong; a fog-choked chapel filled with skeletal remains suggests desperate prayers unanswered for centuries.
A reason to return: builds that evolve every run
No two runs in Netherworld Covenant feel alike—not just because of changing maps—but because of how builds develop through companion pacts and unlockables found across each attempt. Players start with limited tools but quickly open up new paths as they master the systems.
This progression doesn’t reset completely between deaths either. Unlocking new weapons or soul types carries forward into future runs, encouraging experimentation without removing tension from starting over.
The sense of growth is real—players don’t just get better gear; they become better decision-makers. After dying repeatedly to ambushes in an abandoned fortress zone early on, one player began favoring companions who boosted detection range or offered pre-emptive strikes—turning frustration into foresight across future runs.
A small team delivering big support during Early Access
Despite being built by only two people, MadGoat Game Studio has shown constant dedication since launch day on June 18, 2025. Their responsiveness to feedback has already led to balance tweaks, quality-of-life updates, and expanded content teasers—all within weeks of release.
The developers engage directly with their community through forums and social media posts detailing upcoming changes based on player input. Their goal: shape the final version alongside those playing it now during Early Access.
This short development window—estimated at three to six months—is ambitious but backed by visible progress and trust from early adopters who have left overwhelmingly positive reviews (over 84% favorable as of late 2025). Even skeptics have noted how polished the core gameplay loop feels despite being unfinished.
When does Netherworld Covenant come out?
Netherworld Covenant launched in Early Access on June 18, 2025 for PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. While still evolving based on community feedback during this period, the game already delivers a robust experience packed with challenge and depth for genre fans eager for something new yet familiar.
A torch worth carrying into darkness
Netherworld Covenant stands tall among other roguelikes not because it copies them—but because it learns from them while adding its own soul-bound twist on combat and progression. For those drawn to grim worlds where death is frequent but never final—and where choices ripple across every run—it offers something rare: challenge with purpose; defeat with meaning; victory earned not given.
If mastering death means forging pacts with ghosts… then how many will it take before escape becomes possible?
F.A.Q.
When does Netherworld Covenant come out?
Netherworld Covenant launched in Early Access on June 18, 2025, for PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. The game is currently in development, with ongoing updates based on community feedback.
What type of game is Netherworld Covenant?
Netherworld Covenant is a dark fantasy action roguelike with a tactical Souls-like combat system. It combines procedural generation, build diversity, and per-run progression with challenging combat mechanics.
Is Netherworld Covenant worth it?
For fans of both Souls-like and roguelike genres, Netherworld Covenant offers a unique blend of tactical depth and atmospheric gameplay. Its innovative mechanics, like the Nether Lantern and soul companions, provide a fresh experience that is well-received by players, with over 84% positive reviews as of late 2025.
What platforms is Netherworld Covenant available on?
Netherworld Covenant is available on PC through Steam and Epic Games Store.
Does Netherworld Covenant have permadeath?
As a roguelike, Netherworld Covenant features per-run progression, which typically includes elements of permadeath. This means each run is unique, and players must start over upon defeat, learning and adapting their strategies with each attempt.
Is Netherworld Covenant a roguelike?
Yes, Netherworld Covenant is a roguelike that incorporates procedural generation, build diversity, and unique progression systems, making each run distinct and challenging.
What makes Netherworld Covenant’s combat unique?
The combat in Netherworld Covenant is notable for its tight and deliberate pacing, similar to Souls-like games. It requires players to think strategically about timing and space, adapting to changing layouts and enemy patterns. The Nether Lantern and soul-binding system add additional layers of strategy, allowing players to tailor their playstyle with unique abilities from soul companions.
