Of course, having it "strategically" positioned "outside of a highly competitive holiday period" is also ideal for CI Games.
Slice, dice, burn, dual-wield, and dropkick your way through the ruined world to stop the Umbral from claiming what remains.
Switch 2 players can finally jump into the cataclysmic world where the living and the Umbral collide alongside other platforms.
This comes several weeks after CI Games announced that Epic Games would no longer have control over the PC version's distribution.
CI Games opens the door for the Souls-like action RPG to arrive on other platforms like Steam when it launches later this year.
Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream rounds out the line-up as all three titles will be available until May 5th for subscribers.
Lead systems designer Dan Reagan said the action RPG is "expected to release in August 2026" before scrubbing the line from his site.
If Axiom is your more traditional Souls-like experience, then Umbral is more akin to a "horror game" that will keep you on edge.
CI Games' Souls-like action RPG launched in 2023 and has received numerous post-launch updates while selling over 2.5 million copies.
"We’d be honoured to speak with the talented people behind Demon's Souls remake about opportunities on Lords of the Fallen 2 and beyond."
"I'm not slamming FromSoftware," said director James Lowe while discussing the potential for build diversity in Soulslike games.
"Visual overlap can occur in medieval fantasy design. We respect FromSoftware, but we do not copy other studios," said Marek Tyminski.
The studio's creative strategist also spoke about striking a balance between character-focused narrative and environmental storytelling.
Numbered at version 2.5, the update introduces Legacy and Veteran game modes, with the latter offering a unique reward on completion.
Soulslike sequel shows faster, bloodier combat, new bosses, and shared-progression co-op in its first gameplay reveal.
"Flattered so many think we’re behind that statue. Can confirm it’s not us, we’re just as hyped as you are," said CI Games' CEO.
The installation size of CI Games' 2026 Souls-like sequel has yet to be confirmed, but Windows 11 will be mandatory on PC.
Taking place 100 years after the first game's events, the sequel sees the Lightbearer tasked with saving the world as the Umbra expands.
CI Games creative portfolio strategist David Valjalo spoke about how the sequel is going to be "bloody, bold, brave," and " a true sequel".
"Blood marks the beginning", teases host and producer Geoff Keighley about the sequel, which launches in 2026 for consoles and PC.
