Former FromSoftware dev releases his own action RPG on Steam and hits a harsh reality just a week later
Not every solo project works out and this developer had to learn that the hard way. Sometimes, big dreams just aren't enough.
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When you hear FromSoftware, you probably think of atmospheric games, immersive worlds with deep lore and unique combat systems – everything that makes Dark Souls and Elden Ring stand out. So when a former FromSoftware developer sets out to create a solo project, it’s exciting. Indie games without the limits of a big studio can be truly special. But this time, things turned out differently.
Rise of Rebellion won’t be your next Soulslike obsession
Rise of Rebellion launched on Steam on April 21, 2025, but it didn’t take long for players to notice it wasn’t meeting expectations. There were tons of technical issues, awkward controls, poor balancing, and an overall lack of polish that made it feel unfinished. Some people respected the ambition behind the game, but the feedback was pretty brutal. Steam reviews turned negative in just a few days, and the player count dropped fast, though it was already pretty low from the start.
I have played many horrible games in my life, but this is genuinely one of the worst ones. The controls are irredeemably bad and it's completely rng if parry or dodge trigger the special attack or not. It's insane that they released a game in this state, it's practically unplayable.
- kenrin
Default controls are atrocious for keyboard and mouse, also there is mouse acceleration that cannot be disabled
According to Automaton, the developer Hytacka, openly admitted that Rise of Rebellion didn’t do well. As a result, he’s not planning any major updates, just a few bug fixes and possibly an optional easy mode. Despite this, he still wants to make more games, though losing support from his publisher, Kodansha, could slow things down. Even with people suggesting he take on smaller projects, Hytacka says he’s sticking to his big, ambitious ideas.
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