One of Lost Soul Aside's Best Stunts Should Have Been a…

There's a reason Lost Soul Aside's reception has been so mixed, and it's because while there are plenty of things it gets wrong, there are several other things it not only gets right but actually does well in comparison to its modern competitors. Its story and characters may be a bit shallow, and its gameplay loop may be repetitive, but unique and innovative features like its Weapon Assembly system are a large part of what earns the game a more positive impression from those willing to give it one. Still, there are just some things that are hard to ignore, like when something that is used primarily for show during scripted moments is extremely fun and flashy, and yet it somehow isn't one of Lost Soul Aside's core gameplay mechanics.

Exploration is very limited in Lost Soul Aside, with the bulk of the game being a linear experience meant to push players from one boss to the next. Even so, there is a stronger emphasis on traversal and platforming than might initially seem, and with that comes a mechanic that only shows up occasionally and can't be activated at will. That mechanic is none other than Lost Soul Aside's Arena-surfing ability, which sees Kaser briefly surfing or running on Arena's back, either to get from one platform to the next or to evade danger more quickly. It would have been nice to be able to activate this ability at any time, but it only occurs during scripted moments in the game and sometimes can't even be controlled.

Lost Soul Aside Missed Out by Limiting Arena Surfing

A Flashy Trick That Deserved More Freedom

Arena/sword surfing is one of Lost Soul Aside's flashiest moments, as it effortlessly sets itself apart from the game's standard combat and traversal. The first time it shows up, it almost feels like it doesn't belong in the game, simply due to how random it feels but also how over-the-top it is in its presentation. The problem is that it's largely locked behind scripted sequences, popping up only when players are required to reach the other end of a path before a countdown ends, or they find a gate where the single press of a button activates it and everything else is automatic.

Most of the time when it occurs, it's because players find a gate that allows Lost Soul Aside's protagonist, Kaser, to dip into Arena's power in a way that he couldn't otherwise, for some reason, and Kaser proceeds to use Arena as a surfboard of sorts to reach the other side of a chasm. During these sequences, Kaser can be seen pulling off some crazy stunts, like running in a loop, flying, or surfing, making for a rather showy moment. However, these skills that Kaser can suddenly pull off are not available to players at any moment, and the game never explains why they are only reserved for these times.

How Arena Surfing Could Have Improved Exploration

The missed opportunity becomes even clearer in the game's more open segments. When it does finally break away from its linear gameplay, traversal options are limited to standard movement and Lost Soul Aside's janky platforming, and that's where Arena surfing could have added some energy. The ability to hop on Arena at will and glide across landscapes would have made exploration less about getting from point A to point B and more about making the journey itself entertaining.

There’s also the question of variety. For a game so focused on stylish combat, traversal often feels like downtime. If players were, for example, able to chain a fight into a surf, then seamlessly jump into a platforming section, suddenly, the world might be a little more interesting to explore or take in. Unfortunately, one of Lost Soul Aside's best stunts is locked behind the idea of Kaser and Arena showing off rather than allowing players to have a hand in it.

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