A small rodent emerging from the grave to save a kingdom devastated by a catastrophic shower of stars might seem like the plot of a children’s fairy tale, but Mouseward instead presents itself as an experience that blends the brutality of soulslikes with the nostalgic aesthetics of three-dimensional platformers for Nintendo 64. The game, now available in pre-alpha version, represents the new project from the developers of Finite Reflection Studios, already authors of Void Sols, a title appreciated for having made the FromSoftware formula accessible also to less experienced players of the genre.
Mouseward’s approach to combat based on stamina management and precise reaction times maintains the souls philosophy, but introduces elements that lighten the typical ruthlessness of the genre. When the protagonist dies, enemies return to their original locations as per tradition, however all accumulated progression points are retained and can be spent immediately at the most recent bonfire via an astral-style level progression menu reminiscent of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
The game’s visual setting is particularly distinctive, mixing seemingly contrasting aesthetic references. The environments evoke scenarios familiar to Dark Souls fans, with architecture reminiscent of Anor Londo set in a vertical structure that recalls the mother trees of Elden Ring. At the same time, the graphic rendering deliberately embraces the blurry textures and polygonal models typical of the fifth generation of consoles, creating an atmosphere that oscillates between the reassuring and the macabre, similar to what The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and MediEvil did in their time.
The gameplay promises to integrate proven mechanics of the genre such as parries, backstabs, falling attacks, strategically positioned archers and ambushes, with the peculiar objective of collecting every star fragment scattered throughout the game world. This collectathon element represents the main deviation from the traditional soulslike formula, suggesting a hybridization with the three-dimensional platform-adventures that characterized the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation era.
The pre-alpha version available on Itch.io already offers a promising taste of the final experience, with immediate controls and an immersive atmosphere that emerge from the first loop around the initial bonfire. The developers seem intent on bringing the genre back to its essential origins, while exploring potentially innovative directions through the integration of collectathon elements and references to the action platformers of the mid-1990s.
The bestiary includes creatures ranging from common enemies to melancholic and deadly badgers, populating a kingdom fallen into ruin that the little hero will have to explore through secret passages and interconnected areas. The game’s Steam page is already active for those who want to add Mouseward to their wishlist, while the pre-alpha demo represents an opportunity to preview this particular experiment in videogame contamination between apparently distant eras and genres.
