Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch Dives Into Roguelite Tactics—Does This Spin-Off Push Genre

I’ll be honest-when I heard Ocean Drive and Kakao Games were showing a new trailer for Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch at the Future Games Summer Showcase, my first thought was, “Great, another tactical RPG spin-off riding on nostalgia.” But after digging into what they’re actually trying to do with this game, I have to admit: this isn’t just a lazy reskin. Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch takes some real swings at reinvigorating the turn-based genre by infusing it with roguelite unpredictability, and that actually has me paying attention.

Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch – Roguelite Tactics with Real Bite?

We’re seeing more and more tactical RPGs trying to break the old-school mold, but few blend branching narratives, hardcore combat, and roguelite chaos quite like this. So is this spin-off the next big thing for strategy fans, or just another cash-in on the genre’s recent resurgence?

Key Takeaways

• Roguelite mechanics meet classic tactics: Death is part of progression, and every run can lead to different story outcomes-not just recycled maps.
• Branching narrative with real consequences: Promises more than the usual “illusion of choice,” if they actually deliver on narrative impact.
• Early Access now, with 20% off: You can jump in right away on Steam, but expect some rough edges and evolving content.
• Ocean Drive’s second swing at turn-based combat: Building on their experience with the original Lost Eidolons, but this time with more roguelite flavor.

Feature	Specification
Publisher	Kakao Games
Release Date	June 7, 2025 (Early Access)
Genres	Tactical RPG, Roguelite, Strategy
Platforms	PC (Steam Early Access)

Let’s unpack what all this actually means for tactical RPG fans. First off, the “roguelite” label is thrown around so much these days, it barely means anything-usually just code for “you’ll die a lot, but please keep playing.” But Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch looks like it’s actually taking the randomization and replay-focused mindset and shoving it right into the heart of turn-based combat. If you’re like me and tired of tactical RPGs that get stale halfway through, this could be a breath of fresh air—or a recipe for endless frustration, if the difficulty spikes aren’t balanced right.

The trailer focuses on protagonist Ashe and his crew landing on a mysterious island, swinging around what the devs proudly dub his “big ass sword.” (Yeah, they actually went there.) There’s a clear attempt to capture both the gritty stakes of classic cRPGs and the frenetic, fail-forward energy of roguelites like Hades or Slay the Spire.

What has me cautiously optimistic is Ocean Drive Studio’s willingness to make the narrative really branch—potentially breaking away from “press A for blue ending, B for red.” If they can stick the landing with meaningful story consequences that actually impact gameplay and not just dialogue flavor text, this could set a new bar for the genre. But as a long-time fan of tactical RPGs, I’ve been burned before by promises of “every choice matters.” Let’s hope they’re not just using buzzwords.

On the combat side, the developers are clearly gunning for that sweet spot between accessibility and depth. The original Lost Eidolons was ambitious but a bit rough around the edges—solid core design, but sometimes bogged down by pacing and lack of true innovation. Veil of the Witch seems to be learning from those missteps and pushing for more replayability and challenge, with unpredictable bosses and party upgrades between runs. The Early Access launch means players get to see this evolution in real time, and maybe even help steer it if Ocean Drive listens to community feedback (they’d better—tactical fans don’t hold back, trust me).

Of course, being Early Access, you can expect some jank. But that’s par for the course these days, and honestly, I’d rather see a developer experiment out in the open than ship another safe, cookie-cutter tactics game. The 20% discount during Steam’s Summer Sale also makes it a little easier to take the plunge if you’re curious.

What This Means for Gamers

If you’ve been itching for a tactical RPG with actual stakes and replay value—not just another 40-hour grind with predictable battles—Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch could be worth a look. The roguelite twist makes every run unique, and if Ocean Drive delivers on their narrative ambitions, we might finally get a tactical game where dying isn’t just punishment, but part of the story.

But fair warning: This isn’t likely to be a breezy, “play-on-autopilot” experience. Expect to be challenged, probably frustrated, and (hopefully) surprised. And as with any Early Access release, don’t expect perfection—just a team taking some real risks in a genre that could use more of them.

TL;DR

Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch takes tactical RPGs and injects them with roguelite chaos, branching storylines, and serious challenge. If you want more than just another tactics retread, keep an eye on this one—but bring your patience (and maybe your salt) for the Early Access ride.