
There was a period when the PS Vita was new where Sony was desperate to secure a Monster Hunter-style hit on the system. You may recall that Capcom’s series had been extremely kind to the PSP, effectively securing it a second wind in its native Japan. But it’s widely rumoured that Nintendo swooped in and bought Nintendo 3DS exclusivity for future entries, leaving its rival scrambling for a replacement.
The company published several high-profile projects in the genre, including Freedom Wars, which will be remastered early next year. But that’s left some fans pondering whether Soul Sacrifice could also make a comeback, the first of its Monster Hunter-inspired projects.
For those who didn’t play the original, it was a co-op action game where you effectively sacrificed body parts in order to attack. Developed by Marvelous AQL, with a concept created by Mega Man’s Keiji Inafune, it was a cool alternative to Monster Hunter – with a dark, gothic fantasy theme. The core concept even expanded to the co-op, as you’d need to choose to save or sacrifice your allies if they were defeated.
There were some really cool ideas here: you could launch powerful spells by ripping parts off your body, but doing so came with consequences. So, for example, if you triggered an attack using your skin, your defence would fall – or, if you used your eyeballs, your vision would be affected. While not a perfect game by any stretch, these systems were very unique and interesting.
An expanded re-release followed the original with more enemies and content, and the series was generally a big hit in Japan, with the first game selling over 200,000 copies domestically in less than two weeks. We’d always anticipated a port for PS4, but it never materialised.
Now, with the resurrection of Freedom Wars, it’s left fans longing for a re-release of Soul Sacrifice on the PS5. With Sony licensing out its IP to third-parties, it does seem possible – although the project would probably need to be championed by either Marvelous AQL or Keiji Inafune himself. Would you be interested in revisiting Soul Sacrifice on modern hardware? Let us know below.
Would you buy a Soul Sacrifice remaster on PS5, PS4? (195 votes)
- Yes, I've always wanted to try this series out
- I'd double dip because I loved the original
- Maybe, it'd depend on the price
- No, I had my fill of Soul Sacrifice on PS Vita
- Nah, I'm just not interested in this series
[source News: In an Unprecedented Twist, Sony Is Licensing Freedom Wars to Bandai Namco]
Comments 18
I really loved all the artwork for Soul Sacrifice. It was horrible but very underrated.
It's just a reskinned monster hunter.
One of the very best games on the vita. For the vita to become mostly irrelevant. 10 games besides freedom wars need to be released
1. Soul sacrifice delta
2. Tales of hearts R
3. Tales of innocence R
4. Muramasa rebirth
5. Uncharted golden abyss
6. Valhalla knights 3 Gold
7. Shinobido 2: tales of the ninja
8. Killzone: mercenary
9. Criminal girls 2 : party favors
10. Silent hill : book of memories
@tameshiyaku Sure. Apart from all the other original ideas.
Muramasa the demon blade and soul sacrifice delta should be next.word up son
Yet another Monster Hunter clone with a gimmick. Like Toukiden. And God Eater. And Freedom Wars. Good for people who like the formula, but if you don't, none of these games will change your mind.
Rurikhan got me really interested in trying this, would love to see it remastered/remade
Argh, they gave up the PS Vita way too soon, especially when you see the succes of the Switch (in hindsight). I actually enjoyed that handheld, even the Mini's!
I don't know about everyone but instead of SSD, I actually want Sony to license out the Gravity Rush IP. One of the most creative and underated Sony exclusive for me that could be really benefit from a 60FPS patch or a remastered version.
Btw there was a rumor long ago that both Sega and Namco is developing a game using Sony IP. Since Namco is Freedom Wars, what about Sega?
There's a lot of potential with Soul Sacrifice. Back in high school, I started to brainstorm archfiend ideas like one based on Ahab/Moby Dick. The concept of turning literature/mythological creatures into grotesque (and maybe depressing) monsters is pretty fun. And honestly? I can see Forspoken's combat system work much better with Soul Sacrifice's.
@tameshiyaku It's nothing like MH what are you on?
Next to The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, Soul Sacrifice was my most played Vita game, and I would absolutely jump on a remaster (for PC; I don't own consoles).
@get2sammyb it was absolutely grim; I loved the gothic twists on all the creatures and characters from myths, folklore and fairy tales, and the origin stories behind each one.
@Leon_93 Gravity Rush was another Vita gem. There were a lot of underrated games on that platform.
I'd love a return to the series. A Soul Sacrifice inspired by Monster World could have been a killer title!
I would double dip. But does SIE president even know if they have an IP called Soul Sacrifice? 😆
@tameshiyaku No it's not.
The only similarity between MH and Soul Sacrifice is they hunt monsters and that's it. Outside that, both games are quite different from artstyle, settings, story, gameplay, music, and even the type of monsters.
Triple dip for me since I boght the original, the delta version and I would buy this one day one. The soundtrack is exquisite.
@Yagami played it when it was free on psplus back in the days. I actually liked it and put quite a bit of time into it. Tbh monster hunter rise was the first MH I've ever played and it instantly reminded me a lot of when I played soul sacrifice. Perhaps reskin was harsh but instead of soulslike a hunterlike. I think it has similarities when it comes to combat, character creation and classes, upgrading, planning etc... but yeah, with a dark fantasy setting. Could also be that my memory on it is fuzzy as it's been many years.
@AlienigenX even the music during the menus is peak.
I would buy any first party Vita exclusive that is remade for PS5. I can't think of one I didn't like.
I would also want an expanded remake of Killzone Mercenary.
I think it had the best concept of any Killzone game. Pick up contracts for either side, heck even make it multiplayer. So you can face the same mission in the other side of a real player along with computer characters.
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...