A new interpretation of Soullike arrives on Xbox

Dark fantasy action RPG 'Sands of Aura' has been officially released for Xbox Series X|S. This work, presented by developer Chashu Entertainment, breaks away from the 'harsh difficulty' formula of the existing Soullike genre and puts CRPG's narrative depth and free build system at the forefront.

The background of the game is a world where the sea has disappeared and only the vast ‘Sandsea’ remains. Players explore the last remaining islands and uncover the secrets of a world shaped by loss.

Why is this game receiving attention?

The soul-like genre has been represented by ‘learning through death’ and fragmentary lore pieces. But Sands of Aura took a different approach.

“We grew up playing CRPGs full of rich, meaningful quests and character exploration,” said John Sadler, a programmer on the development team. “I wanted to create a game that rewards true participation, a game where skill and effort create progress.”

This philosophy is evident in the build system. The development team gave players the freedom to experiment with different builds that yield unexpected synergies. Sadler added, "We weren't afraid to 'break' the game in fun and creative ways."

Battle system optimized for consoles

Combat is a fast, reactive rhythm that weaves together attacks, dodges, blocks, parries, and spellblade abilities. Weapons, armor, and talismans do not simply change stats, but act as elements that change the battle approach itself.

The ‘Targeting Assist’ system newly introduced for the Xbox version stands out. This system interprets the player's approximate aiming direction and directs attacks to the most appropriate target. Sadler explained, “During fast battles, when switching targets and activating skills, attacks often missed,” and “This system understands the player’s intentions and maintains control without interrupting the flow of battle.”

Two levels of exploration

The game's exploration is divided into two spaces. The ‘Island’ where the main story and action unfolds, and the ‘Sand Sea’ where you can take a breather and chart your own path. Instead of simply selecting the next destination on a traditional world map, it is designed to allow players to experience moments of discovery as they navigate the vast sea of ​​sand.

Release Notes

Sands of Aura is currently available on Xbox Series X|S. The PC version is already available through Steam.