Death Howl is one of those unique strategic roguelikes that someone could play for 15 minutes for five hours straight, and it means the Switch version couldn’t come soon enough. I thoroughly enjoyed this brutal game when I played it on the PC. But there’s something about the nature of it that makes the gameplay loop and narrative beats feel highlighted so well here.
As a quick refresher, Death Howl is a strategic roguelike with a nearly monochromatic kinds of color palettes and melancholy story. Based on Scandinavian folklore, we follow a grieving mother named Ro searching the other side for her dead son Olvi who was stolen away from her. This means traversing different areas, facing all sorts of entities and beasts with abilities she gathers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGF-v--wGhk
The narrative is fantastic. There are so many themes running through it. Revenge is a critical one, since there’s a central stag figure associated with her son’s death and apparent abduction. Not to mention she’s angry with Death itself over the loss. Coming to terms with the situation is another, since this is a journey about grief and clearly she’s going through the bargaining and depression stages while also being angry about everything and denying that this is a situation that can’t be undone. But there’s also this veil of uncertainty over everything. Due to the use of symbolism and design choices, Ro is an unreliable narrator and there are gaps in our knowledge as players. Which means part of the motivation that keeps us going is to finally know the truth of it all. Having the game on the Switch makes it easy to keep going so we can absorb the information and take in what possible truths could be hinted at as we play.
The Switch also makes for a good way to appreciate the art direction in Death Howl in the same way that the Steam Deck and other handheld gaming PCs do. This is a strategy game with sprite-based designs, an isometric perspective of the board, and limited color palettes for each region. Actual spirit designs play with shading and color options to depict details that wouldn’t otherwise be possible with the limitations. When there are effects from actions and spell usage, we see intricate animations. While it is possible to view these and take away the excellence, I feel like having it in handheld mode where you could really take a moment to look closer at details.
Image via The Outer Zone
It also helps that the Switch port is a great version of Death Howl. Given how text-heavy it is for cards and combat, the color and font choices make it clear even when the lettering is little. It’s almost always clear and legible. Pair that with the great controller-based scheme carried over from the PC release, and it is quite comfortable to play.
Handhelds are a good fit for roguelike games, and the artistic direction, narrative, and gameplay of Death Howl make it feel especially strong on the Switch. It’s a great port that plays well on the system. The nature of the storyline makes it a perfect game to play in a darkened room. Since the gameplay encourages deck experimentation and strategic decisions, you can really get cozy and experience it. It feels exceptionally at home here.
Death Howl is available on the Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC.
Death Howl: Building a No-Mercy Deckbuilder That Doesn’t Feel Unfair
Malte Burup, Game Director at The Outer Zone
Death Howllaunches –today, available Day One with Xbox Game Pass. Step into a spirit world that shows no mercy. And honestly? That’s exactly how it’s supposed to be.
But here’s the thing: despite being brutally difficult, Death Howl doesn’t feel unfair. At least, that’s not how I experience it, and I hope you won’t either. Let me explain why.
The Open World
Most deckbuilders follow a familiar loop: start a run, die, start over from the beginning. It’s effective, but it can feel repetitive – especially when you hit a wall and keep banging your head against a particular encounter. Death Howl takes a different approach. Because it’s set in an open world, when you stand next to a battle you can’t win, you have options. You can wander into a different biome, hunt new spirits, craft stronger cards, experiment with fresh deck synergies, and then return when you’re ready.
We tried to avoid grinding in the traditional sense and instead aimed for exploration with a purpose. At the same time, the world doesn’t reset. Your progress persists. You’re not starting over; you’re adapting and learning.
A Fair No Mercy
Death Howl earned its “no mercy” reputation honestly. Enemies respawn when you rest at Sacred Groves. Every mistake gets punished. Common encounters, not to mention Boss fights, demand pattern recognition and tactical precision on a grid where positioning matters as much as cards and decks tailored to match the given enemy type.
But the game is fair. When you die – and you will die a lot – you respawn right before the encounter that got you. You keep your deck. You keep your knowledge. You drop “Death Howls” (our version of well-known souls), but you can retrieve them, just like in… well, you know what I’m talking about.
But you’re not locked into one path. If a particular enemy type is giving you trouble, you can experiment. Start with the battle itself – position yourself differently on the grid at the start, or, in some cases, walk around the location and approach that group of foes from a different side. But you can also pivot entirely. Explore further, build a poison deck instead of a strength-based one. The spirit world and the challenge are yours to navigate, however you choose.
How We Accidentally Made a Soulslike
I’ll be honest – we never set out to make a soulslike. We wanted to create an open-world alternative to traditional roguelite deckbuilders, something inspired by Dream Quest, Magic: The Gathering, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Breath of the Wild.
But as the design evolved, soulslike elements emerged organically. Testers kept telling us, “This feels like a soulslike.” At first, I was confused – I wasn’t even that familiar with the genre. But they were right.
The Sacred Groves that heal you but respawn enemies. The emphasis on learning enemy patterns – dodging a boar’s frontal charge, or positioning yourself behind foes with an exposed back to deal more damage. The way death teaches you rather than punishes you. It all clicked.
So we leaned into it. We embraced the tension, the deliberate pacing, the rewarding loop of observation and adaptation. But we did it our way – turn-based, tactical, card-driven.
A World Born from Grief
Underneath all the mechanics is Ro’s story. She’s a mother who’s lost her son, and she’s willing to walk through the spirit world itself to bring him back. It’s a deeply personal narrative about grief, resilience, and unconditional love.
The world reflects that sorrow. And the minimalist, woodcut-inspired pixel art uses shadows and negative space to create a realm that feels haunting, ethereal, and alive. We wanted the gameplay to mirror Ro’s internal struggle. The punishing difficulty isn’t arbitrary – it could be perceived as the weight of her journey. Every victory feels earned because it is.
Whether you’re a deck-building veteran, a soulslike enthusiast, someone who just loves tactical combat with meaningful stakes, or enjoys bold genre blends, Death Howlhas something for you. And with Day One availability in Xbox Game Pass, there’s never been a better time to step into the spirit world.
Our small, three-person team poured everything into this game – art, music, design, emotion and a lot of love. It’s a reflection of our creative journey as indie creators. We hope you’ll find something here that resonates. See you in the Spirit World.
Step into the myth-shrouded lands where the hunter Ro begins her journey to bring her son back from the dead. Immerse yourself in the depths of the Spirit World, fractured into 4 realms and scarred with 13 distinct regions. Confront over 30 enemy types and harness the potential of more than 160 cards, forging unique archetypes and a multitude of powerful combinations. A dark journey awaits you, spanning 25+ hours of gameplay, with numerous enthralling side quests and grim boss battles.
Master Your Deck-Building Skills
Craft over 160 cards and fashion synergistic decks that focus on poison, strength, sacrifice, retaliation, backstabbing, blocking, movement, and more. Discover shamanic totems with unique effects to enhance your deck. Each new element allows you to tailor your tactical style as you prepare for your next deadly encounter.
Engage in Grid-Based Combat
Face a host of restless spirits – Skulldogs, Crackle Bursts, Woeful Seashrooms and more – in grid-based battles where each move is crucial. Test your wit by fighting unique enemy types, powerful bosses, and mini-bosses, all while taking into account environmental hazards and boons. Grow stronger, adapt your deck, and choose your battles as you explore a vast world filled with dangerous challenges.
Journey to the spirit realm
In forgotten lands shrouded by myth, Ro – a hunter from a small tribe – is overcome by grief following the death of her beloved son. Guided by voices from another world, she transcends into the realm of spirits, in hopes of bringing him back. Meet strange spirits and help them with quests and challenges that affect your deck – although not all of them may have your best interests at heart. Discover a mysterious world of forgotten lore, where darkness whispers secrets and invites you to unearth buried memories.
When we first started working on Death Howl, if you had told me we were building an “open world, soulslike deckbuilder,” I would have looked at you with a fair bit of confusion. It sounds like a recipe made out of components that don’t naturally fit together. Yet, as we prepare to bring the journey of Ro to a new audience on PlayStation 5 from February 19, I’ve been reflecting on how this genre blend came to be.
The truth is, the “soulslike” tag wasn’t part of the original design document.
A foundation of cards and tactics
At its core, Death Howl began as a prototype that I made as a school project back in 2015 after playing the unique and brilliant game called Dream Quest. I’ve always been inspired by Magic: The Gathering and the idea of traversing a world to collect materials for crafting power. Our initial goal was to create an alternative to the traditional roguelite deckbuilder – something that traded linear, “always-start-from-beginning” runs for a free-roaming open world.
We also looked at the character skill building where cards replaced traditional weapons and spells, with all combat taking place on a grid.
The accidental Soulslike
In general, we never intended to blend so many genres. At its core, Death Howl is an open world deckbuilder. But to achieve that vision, many different designs had to merge. We combined tactical, grid-based combat with deck building. We merged open world exploration with turn-based battles. And as the design evolved, other genre elements emerged organically – including soulslike mechanics.
Honestly, I wasn’t even especially familiar with soulslike games when we started. It was something that came about from testers telling us it felt like one.
Some elements were already in place. “Sacred Groves” – checkpoint locations much like the bonfires you might know from other games-allow you to heal, but they also respawn all enemies. We had designed these early on. But testers pointed to other traces of the genre in our game.
They felt Death Howl earned the soulslike label because of how it rewards pattern recognition. You need to observe enemy behaviors – learning to avoid the frontal charge of a boar, for instance – and embrace the punishing but fair loop of death and adaptation.
We made one key adjustment to fit our card-based structure. Instead of sending players back to the last checkpoint, dying in Death Howl returns you to the moment just before the encounter you lost. When Ro dies, she drops “Death Howls” – the currency earned from defeating enemies, used to craft new cards and upgrade abilities. These can be retrieved after respawning, much like souls in other games. This mechanic was perhaps the biggest direct inspiration we took from the genre once we became more familiar with it.
The rest emerged more indirectly. But embracing the soulslike direction as an overall concept helped us add even more layers to the experience.
For me, it’s still an open world deckbuilder. For others, it’s a soulslike card battler. Both are true.
Balancing the dark and the ethereal
Genre-blending is one part of Death Howl’s identity. The other is its mood.
The world of Death Howl is a spirit realm born from grief, distant memories, and the unknown. To capture that otherworldly feeling, we leaned into a “linocut” or woodcut art style-inspired by heavy metal t-shirts and old-school Scandinavian illustrations – all rendered in minimalistic pixel art.
This visual approach mirrors the gameplay in a way. Just as shapes emerge from deep shadows in our art, players must piece together the narrative of Ro’s quest to reunite with her son. The pixel art forces the viewer to imagine the details left in the darkness, creating space for their own interpretation.
A journey to PlayStation
Building Death Howl taught us that creating something unique often means combining elements that don’t obviously fit together. The result is a game that balances the calm of exploration with the intensity of turn-based combat, all wrapped in a story of resilience and loss.
As we bring this experience to PlayStation 5 on February 19, we’re incredibly excited for a new community to step into our Spirit World and discover its secrets. Whether you’re a deckbuilding veteran or a soulslike fan looking for a tactical twist, we hope you’ll find something here that resonates.
Death Howl is more than the sum of its genres-it’s a reflection of the creative journey that shaped it.
Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Mortal Kombat 1, Death Howl, Dome Keeper, Routine, and More
Megan SpurrSenior Community Lead, Xbox Game Pass
Happy December, friends! There have been so many incredible games this year, and to pass the time as you’re waiting to see who makes it to the stage to snag their award, check out our collection of The Game Award nominees! While this is our only “Coming Soon” Wire post for December, we’ll be back at it as usual in the new year with more games. For now, let’s get to what’s Coming Soon (and available today)!
Available Today
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage(Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Embark on a new narrative journey by the creators of Life is Strange. Film your summer of 1995 and create memories of a lifetime with your new friends. 27 years later, confront the dark secrets that made you all promise to never speak again after that fateful summer.
Coming Soon
Monster Train 2(Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – December 3 Now with Game Pass Premium
Powerful beings known as Titans have seized control of Heaven. A makeshift alliance is formed between former angels and demons, who must learn to work together against their common foe. Now, you must command these clans aboard newly forged trains, and embark on your journey through Hell, Heaven, and the Abyss, to defeat the Titans before they destroy this world.
Spray Paint Simulator(Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 3 Now with Game Pass Premium
A relaxing, satisfying game that invites you to build your own painting business from the ground up! Meet with quirky clients in Story Mode and take on each job right from the start. Paint everything: rooms, homes, cars, bridges, even giant robots! Unlock Free Spray mode and play alone or with a friend to make the entire town your canvas!
A co-op action-roguelike for 33 players. Play as a damned soul and rebel against God’s final judgment. Dive straight into epic, 33-player co-op battles with instant “pick-up and raid” matchmaking. Cooperate with your allies to survive against hordes of monsters and massive, challenging bosses. Expand your arsenal and equip powerful new relics to permanently upgrade your soul.
Uncover one of history’s greatest mysteries in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, a first-person, single-player adventure set between the events of “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “The Last Crusade”. The year is1937, sinister forces are scouring the globe for the secret to an ancient power connected to the Great Circle, and only one person can stop them – Indiana Jones.
Routine(Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC) – December 4 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Available on day one with Xbox Game pass! A first-person sci-fi horror set on an abandoned lunar base designed around an 80s vision of the future. Explore and investigate your surroundings as you survive against unknown threats.
A Game About Digging A Hole(Cloud, Handheld, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – December 9 Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
A minimalist game about digging a hole in the garden of a newly purchased house. Collect resources, sell them, upgrade your equipment, and discover a mysterious secret.
Death Howl (Handheld & PC) – December 9 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Available on day one with Game Pass! Journey through the sorrowful spirit world in a soulslike deck builder. Craft cards and claim powerful totems to defeat the woeful spirits lurking in the mystical lands. Unravel the tale of a grieving mother in her desperate attempt to defy death and bring back her son.
Dome Keeper (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC) – December 9 Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Defend against waves of alien monsters in this unique roguelike action miner. Dig for resources, collect useful gadgets, and upgrade equipment to increase odds of survival – just hurry back before your dome is destroyed!
Mortal Kombat 1(Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) – December 10 Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Discover a reborn Mortal Kombat universe created by the Fire God Liu Kang. Mortal Kombat 1 ushers in a new era of the iconic franchise with a new fighting system, game modes, and fatalities!
Bratz: Rhythm & Style(Cloud, Console, and PC) – December 11 Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass
Rule the runway and take the stage with the Bratz Pack! Customize fierce fashions, groove to songs from the Bratz Universe like ‘So Good’, and jet off to iconic cities. Outshine mean Burdine and the Tweevil Twins in epic fashion battles – solo or with friends.
In Case You Missed It
CloverPit(Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC) Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Standard, PC Game Pass
A gripping rogue-lite that traps players in a hell of their own creation. Locked in a rusty cell with a slot machine and an ATM, you must pay off your debt or fall to ruin – literally! Turn the odds with various prizes and charms that trigger big combos. Bend the rules, break the game, and pay off your captor to earn a shot at freedom
Marvel Cosmic Invasion(Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC) – December 1 Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Available on day one with Game Pass! A cosmic battle awaits! Choose between 15 Marvel heroes in this frenetic action beat ‘em up to fight against the deadly Annihilation Wave threatening the galaxy. From New York City to the depths of the Negative Zone, the future of the Marvel Universe will be fought for across the stars!
Total Chaos(Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S) Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Available on day one with Game Pass! Descend into terror with Total Chaos, a brutal survival horror experience from Apogee Entertainment. Accompanied by a terrifying soundtrack featuring new music by Silent Hill’s Akira Yamaoka, this nightmare unfolds in a decaying isle haunted by deranged prisoners, shifting reality, and unspeakable horrors. Fight for your life with whatever you can find… or rip from your enemies.
Young Suns (Game Preview) (Cloud, Console, and PC) Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Available on day one with Xbox Game Pass! Nobody fends for themselves in this multiplayer narrative life-sim set around Jupiter. In an optimistic alternate future, fly your ship through the Jovian System and help the friendly citizens rebuild after a revolution. Liberation takes work! Join the developers and their community as the game evolves in Game Preview.
More Games Coming with Game Pass Essential on December 3
Game Pass Essential subscribers can look forward to three more games coming to the library on December 3! Experience a grand inter-galactic strategy in Stellaris, fight against hordes of ravenous zombies in World War Z: Aftermath, and survive the harsh Middle Ages in Medieval Dynasty.
DLC / Game Updates
Sea of Thieves: Season 18 – December 11
Return to The Devil’s Roar in Sea of Thieves: Season 18 to face devious new enemies and plunder their hidden hoards. Then take a well-earned break as the Festival of Giving returns, bringing seasonal streams, Holiday Hauls, the Legends of Giving Community Event and more!
Dead by Daylight: Bone Chill Event – Starting December 9
Dead by Daylight’s Bone Chill Event is back, offering another seasonal dose of ice-cold terror to experience. From December 9th 11 AM to January 6th to 11 AM ET, embrace the ice in your veins and fling those Snowskulls like your life depends on it. For all you know… it does.
Palworld: Home Sweet Home Update – December 17
Palworld’s “Home Sweet Home” update arrives on December 17! Dive into the Ultrakill collab and race through the Palpagos Islands as the blood-fueled V1 and V2! Unleash your inner artist! Recolor your building materials and take base customization to the next level!
In-Game Benefits
PUBG Battlegrounds: Exclusive Survivor Pack (Console) – Available Today Prepare for battle with the PUBG – XBOX Game Pass Exclusive Survivor Pack! Expand your item collection with the Hunter’s Chests, Keys, and Contraband Coupons, provided free for Game Pass Ultimate members.
Delta Force: Craft Your Precision (Xbox Series X|S) – Available Today Perks for the new season now arrives! Define the combat in style and craft the precision with multiple firearm appearances and more!
The Crew Motorfest: Toyota Supra LBWK Edition Pack (Cloud, Console, and PC) – Available Today Master every driving challenge at Motorfest with this pack! Contains the Toyota GR Supra Special Edition, an avatar outfit pack (body and hat) and two customization vanities (underglow and tire).
Leaving Soon
The following games are leaving the Game Pass library in December. Check the dates below and be sure to check them out before they go. As always, you can save up to 20% off your purchase to keep them in your library and keep the fun going!
We hope you have a chill rest of your December. May your batteries be always charged, your sessions always end in GG’s, and you always have the perfect game queued up next. We’ll be back to talk about what’s coming soon in early 2026! Cheers!
Note: Games with a ‘Handheld’ designation represent those that are optimized for handheld play.
