Quick Verdict: Death Howl is a beautifully bleak pixel-art soulslike deck-builder that trades jump scares for existential dread. With its stunning Scandinavian folklore-inspired world, challenging card-based combat, and emotionally resonant story of grief and motherhood, this 11 bit studios release delivers one of the most haunting indie experiences of 2025.
Table of Contents
Overview & Specs
| Developer | 11 bit studios |
| Genre | Soulslike / Deck-builder / Pixel Art |
| Platform | PC |
| Release Date | 2025 |
| Our Rating | ⭐ 8.5/10 |
| Completion Time | 12-15 hours |
| Difficulty | Hard (Soulslike) |
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Gorgeous, atmospheric pixel art
- Clever deck-builder combat system
- Haunting sound design & soundtrack
- Emotionally resonant story
- Unique crafting via Death Howls
❌ Cons
- Non-linear direction can confuse
- Slow start before it hooks you
- Intentionally ambiguous narrative
- Punishing difficulty not for everyone
Gameplay & Combat
Death Howl combines soulslike difficulty with deck-building strategy in a way that feels genuinely fresh. Combat unfolds on a grid where positioning matters—movement costs resources, and every card play requires careful consideration of sacrifice and consequence.
| Mechanic | Description |
|---|---|
| Grid Combat | Chess-like positioning on a tactical grid |
| Card System | Build and customize your deck |
| Crafting | Create cards using Death Howls & artifacts |
| Death System | Respawn before encounters—no full reset |
| Boss Fights | Strategic puzzles requiring perfect execution |
Story & Atmosphere
You play as Ro, a mother searching for her dead son Olvi in a harsh spirit realm inspired by Scandinavian folklore. The narrative unfolds through fragmented encounters, cryptic riddles, and environmental storytelling rather than exposition dumps.
The world is symbolically wounded—death is everywhere, yet nothing stays dead. The “Death Howl” mechanic ties into this beautifully, representing the death throes of enemies that fuel your crafting system.
Visuals & Sound
This is where Death Howl truly shines. The pixel art isn’t conventionally pretty—it’s intentionally unsettling. Textures glitch, sprites distort, and environments breathe in real-time, reflecting the protagonist’s fractured mental state.
The audio design is equally impressive. The protagonist’s voice acting (mostly pain and wailing) is genuinely moving, while the soundtrack mixes drums and wailing horns that swell at the most anxiety-inducing moments.
Quick Facts
| 👩 Protagonist | Ro (grieving mother) |
| 👦 Objective | Find son Olvi in spirit realm |
| 🎨 Art Style | Retro pixel art with surreal elements |
| 🎵 Music | Dark Scandinavian folk-inspired |
| 🎮 Similar To | Inscryption, Dark Souls, Slay the Spire |
Final Verdict: 8.5/10 ⭐
Death Howl is not a comfort game—it’s a quiet descent into grief that demands patience and emotional investment. For those willing to embrace its darkness, it offers one of the most hauntingly poetic experiences in modern pixel-art gaming.
The combination of strategic deck-building, punishing soulslike combat, and emotionally devastating storytelling creates something truly memorable. It’s a game that lingers with you long after the credits roll.
Who Should Play: Fans of Inscryption, Dark Souls, and narrative-driven indies who don’t mind a challenge.
Who Should Skip: Players looking for lighthearted fun or straightforward storytelling.
Have you played Death Howl? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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