This summer, video game fans were able to attend the annual Summer Games Fest and its fair share of conferences. These evenings were marked by a slew of announcements of all kinds, over the course of 16 more or less forgettable conferences. But rather than looking towards these future projects, know that an RPG released this week on Steam deserves your full attention.
Could this summer's roguelike gem have just been released on Steam?
Steam sees more than ten thousand releases per year. In other words: you have to get up early to catch the most interesting ones. And even if the Store makes it easy for you by basing it on your favorite genres to suggest the new releases most likely to interest you, sometimes some gems slip through your fingers. At the same time, there are tons of them.
But this week, a certain Netherworld Covenant has landed on Steam in early access. The game has already been tested by a host of curious people thanks to various demos, including the latest one put online during the Steam Next Fest at the end of February, before its official release on June 18, 2025.
Presented as a 3D isometric roguelike based in a dark fantasy universe, this action-RPG offers intense and demanding combat in a dark and exciting universe. If we are to believe the excellent feedback from early players (92% positive ratings out of 76 reviews posted), Netherworld Covenant can be described as the illegitimate child of Hades and Dark Souls. Obviously, that's casting a wide net.
But in its visuals, Netherworld Covenant is reminiscent of a certain Path of Exile 2, minus the complexity of the builds. And if the game developed by MadGoat Game Studio hits the mark, it is notably thanks to its fluid and rewarding gameplay, its well-thought-out set of bosses, its pleasant weapons/skills and above all its mysterious dark fantasy universe which will easily resonate with a good number of players.
With its unique soul companion system, Netherworld Covenant offers interesting strategic possibilities. Four spectral allies can accompany you, whether you choose the Swordsman, the Archer, the Guardian, or the Rogue, it's up to you to use their abilities to overcome obstacles or set ambushes from the otherworld. It is possible to change worlds thanks to the Nether Lantern, to alternate between the real world and the otherworld, a gimmick seen and reviewed but which works wonderfully when well integrated.
For its start of early access, Netherworld Covenant offers:
- 4 complete chapter scenarios and 15 unique boss fights;
- 9 types of main weapons, 4 Nether Lantern weapons, 20+ Soul Skills, 30+ accessories;
- 5 types of auras, 4 types of ghost auras, 20+ Meta-progression options;
- Random elements like relics and events, etc.
Of course, a roadmap has already been shared, with a first update on July 5th, adding a 5th chapter, more random events and challenges, but also more relics. Another update is planned for August/September, with new difficulty levels, new game modes, as well as other content. Listed at €15.74 until July 2, Netherworld Covenant is a little gem for roguelike and action-RPG fans looking for their next discovery. A game that can be enjoyed on both PC and Steam Deck.
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