An Open Beta for an Upcoming Roguevania Has Shadow Dropped…

Developer Bucketplay has shadow dropped the open beta of its upcoming roguelike game Reloadian, but only on the PS5. The game was first revealed on December 19 as a trailer via ID@Xbox, Microsoft’s program to help indie studios self-publish their projects on Windows and Xbox consoles. The developer didn’t reveal a set launch date for Reloadian, though a Steam page did pop up with a Q2 2026 release window. However, because the game had been showcased via an Xbox program and there has been very little info shared about the game since, many people weren’t certain if it would even be releasing on PS5.

The trailer that was released on December 19 dubbed Reloadian a “fast-paced roguevania battle arena.” However, the gameplay in the video showcased the title’s side-scrolling single-player action, which featured classic Metroidvania-style map layouts and mechanics. Sections of the trailer also showed several characters fighting enemies together, demonstrating Reloadian’s co-op multiplayer feature, and there were also snippets of 1v1 combat that resembled a traditional fighting game in the vein of Tekken or Street Fighter.

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PS5 Users Can Now Try Out the Reloadian Open Beta

On December 30, the open beta for Reloadian shadow dropped on PS5, allowing players on that console to jump in and test out the game’s Metroidvania PvE mechanics ahead of its full 2026 release. The game is available for any PS5 user and does not require PlayStation Plus, but members will be able to stream the beta as part of their PS Plus Premium subscription. As of this writing, the beta is not available on PC or Xbox, though the developer has stated that the game will feature crossplay when it releases.

The story of Reloadian takes place in 2397, after humanity has found a way to bypass death by being reborn digitally. All minds are connected to one another via a central network called Nex. But something has gone wrong and the universe is now collapsing, sparking the creation of weapons called Reloadians that can cross dimensions to try to save the universe. The setting has a decidedly futuristic, cyberpunk vibe with neon and portals and robots both helping and hindering the way forward.

In the beta, there are several characters of different archetypes to choose from, like Adela the bruiser who wields a powerful hammer and creates shockwaves to damage and knock enemies back, or Yarn, an assassin who can quickly teleport short distances to take out enemies with agility. In total, there seem to be 12 characters, some of which are currently unlocked, and each has different strengths and weaknesses, abilities and fighting styles. Reloadian also offers a variety of ranged and melee weapons to unlock and upgrade, as well as support tools like a hook chain, drone, and healing wand.

While the online PvP, called Arena Crush, seems to be available during the beta, it may be difficult to find a match, presumably due to a lack of opponents queuing up at the same time. In the meantime, the game’s campaign mode is available to check out solo, and the description states that other players will be able to drop in to assist.

The surprise drop of the Reloadian beta on PS5 is in good company, as there have been a few other unexpected releases in 2025. In August, Ubisoft shadow dropped The Rogue Prince of Persia on consoles, and it launched on both Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus on day one. There are also other roguelike and Metroidvania hybrids for fans of the genre to look forward to. For example, the multi-platform Never Grave: The Witch and the Curse, which puts players in the shoes of a witch as she delves into dungeons and grows crops, is set to release in March 2026.

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