Santicide: A Roguelite RPG Fusing Dark Souls Combat with the World of Stalker 2

If you’re gearing up for the upcoming Elden Ring Nightreign and craving a challenge, there’s a fresh contender in the soulslike arena to wet your appetite. Enter Sancticide, a roguelite RPG that masterfully fuses the punishing combat of Dark Souls with the bleak, post-apocalyptic setting reminiscent of Stalker 2 – and the best part? You can dive into it today.

In Sancticide, you step into the shoes of Ezechiel, a sin collector tasked with navigating a harsh biblical post-apocalypse. It’s a chaotic era known as the End Times, and Ezechiel’s role is to cleanse sin for the enigmatic ‘Them at The Top.’ As he makes this treacherous journey, he’ll face off against Sinners and Debtors targeted for divine retribution, not to mention a host of formidable foes. The creators, Red Square Games and Sylen Studio, describe the combat as a cerebral "game of chess."

Evolving beyond traditional arena-style skirmishes, Sancticide challenges players to adapt to each adversary’s unique strengths, movement nuances, and vulnerabilities. You’ll have an array of sacred melee weaponry and profane ranged equipment at your disposal. On top of that, ‘purple’ powers come into play, letting you manipulate the environment, tweak time, and enhance your chances of survival.

The trailer, which you can check out above, is electrifying, blending the brooding intensity of Constantine with the relentless challenge of Dark Souls.

If this sounds like your kind of adventure, you’re in luck. Sancticide is available in early access starting Wednesday, February 12 at 9am PST / 12pm ET / 5pm GMT / 6pm CEST. This offers a perfect appetizer as you await the full release, with the formal launch date still under wraps. And as you flex your skills in Sancticide, the wait for Elden Ring Nightreign might just become a bit easier—or perhaps even more intense, depending on your prowess with soulslikes.

For those on the hunt for more games in the vein of Sancticide, consider exploring our curated lists of the best RPGs and the finest roguelikes.

Stay up to date with daily PC gaming news, reviews, and guides by following us on Google News, or better yet, join our lively community on Discord to stay informed and connected.