Netherworld Covenant is a dark-fantasy action roguelike / soulslike from indie developer MadGoat Game Studio. In it, you wield the “Nether Lantern” — a forbidden artifact bridging the mortal realm and the netherworld — using it to summon souls of fallen allies and fight through procedurally generated labyrinths teeming with demonic foes, corrupted heroes, and twisted lords.

The game officially left early access and launched version 1.0 on December 9, 2025. As of now, it offers multiple classes, weapons, modes (including Boss Rush and Chaos Mode), expanded systems (aura, relics, accessories), and a full story conclusion through six chapters.

If you like “souls-like meets roguelike”, dark fantasy, challenging combat + procedural variety — Netherworld Covenant is clearly aiming for you.

Let’s follow us at Indie Games Tavern to dive in this indie game review, now!

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Gameplay & Core Loop

Here’s how Netherworld Covenant plays, in broad strokes:

• Isometric Action/RPG + Roguelike Structure — Combat happens from an isometric viewpoint. You dive into generated labyrinths: roam corridors, fight enemies, explore, loot, and encounter bosses.
• Precision Combat: Parry, Dodge, Ethereal Dash — Combat emphasizes timing and positioning: dodging, parrying, evading with “Ethereal Dash”, then striking back. It’s more deliberate than button-spamming.
• Soul Companion System — You can summon fallen-ally souls (Swordsman, Ranger, Guardian, Rogue) that fight with you, offering different combat strategies and augmenting your build.
• Class & Weapon Variety + Build Customization — As of 1.0, there are multiple playable classes (Berserker, Mage, Hunter, Shield Guard, etc.) and weapon types (double-bladed axe, staff, bow, spear, etc.), allowing varied playstyles.
• Roguelike Progression + Meta Systems — Between runs you manage resources, relics, auras, unlocking new weapons or upgrades. Procedural layouts + random events aim to keep runs fresh.
• Modes & Replayability — Beyond standard runs, there are Boss Rush and Chaos Modes (randomized maps), higher difficulty settings (Iron Crown Frenzy, Corruption Mode) for those seeking challenge.

So the loop of Netherworld Covenant tends to be: choose class/build → enter labyrinth → fight through mobs + spectral allies → loot/improve → repeat — with enough randomness & build variety to keep each run feeling different.

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What Works Really Well

✅ Smooth, Skill-Based Combat That Feels Rewarding
Players and critics alike praise the responsive, satisfying combat: parrying, dodging, managing stamina, and weaving in Soul-Companion abilities gives fights meaningful weight. The “precision over spam” design makes victory feel earned, not handed out.

✅ Strong Blend: Soulslike Atmosphere + Roguelike Replayability
Netherworld Covenant balances dark fantasy tone (demons, cursed heroes, Nether Lantern, grim corridors) with roguelike structure — meaning even if you die, you return with new builds, upgrades or knowledge. This combo gives both challenge and replay value.

✅ Variety of Classes, Weapons & Build Options
With diverse classes (melee, ranged, magic-like), many weapon types, and the Soul-Companion mechanic, there’s room for experimentation. Want heavy melee carnage? Or spectral bows + shadow-walk? Could be viable depending on build. The 1.0 update expanded that depth significantly.

✅ Procedural & Replay-Oriented Design — Multiple Modes
With randomized labyrinths, random events, relic/aura systems, and extra modes (Boss Rush, Chaos Mode, higher difficulties), Netherworld Covenant seems built to last beyond just one play-through.

✅ Accessibility & Broad Support
Netherworld Covenant supports multiple languages, full controller support, and works on Steam Deck — so even if you don’t have a high-end PC, you can likely run it smoothly.

✅ Positive Community & Critical Reception at Launch
At version 1.0 release, user feedback on Steam (‘Very Positive’ reviews) is strong. Many in the community say the game feels like a successful blend of ARPG, roguelike and souls-inspired action.

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Areas for Improvement & Considerations

⚠️ Some Players Report Limited Variety in Environments / Combat Style Over Time
One frequent critique is that after many runs, environments and encounters can feel repetitive; variety in visuals or enemy types seems lacking.

⚠️ Balance Issues, Difficulty Spikes or Design Rough Edges
Because of the mix of rogue- and souls-style design, some players report difficulty spikes — bosses that summon hordes, enemies with overwhelming advantages, or moments of “unfun RNG”.

⚠️ Roguelike Grind + Learning Curve — Not for Casual / Light Players
Because Netherworld Covenant mixes souls-like precision with roguelike resets, progression can feel punishing. If you dislike repeated failures or steep learning curves, this game can test your patience.

⚠️ Visual / UI/Clarity Occasional Complaints
Some users report that in chaotic fights — many enemies, effects, souls summoned — readability (who’s enemy, who’s ally, hitboxes) can suffer. Vigilance and focus are often necessary.

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Final Verdict

Netherworld Covenant 1.0 is a very promising take on the “soulslike + roguelike + ARPG” formula. It succeeds at balancing dark-fantasy tone, precision combat, and replayable, build-driven progression. The recent version 1.0 release added meaningful depth: more classes, weapons, modes, and polish — making its pitch very compelling, especially for players who like challenge, experimentation, and variety.

That said, it isn’t flawless — issues with pacing, balance, long-term variety, and difficulty spikes make it more of a niche, “for-hardcore-fans” experience than a casual pick. But if you appreciate risk-reward, tactical combat, and don’t mind repeated runs, Netherworld Covenant stands out from many indie ARPGs of 2025.

To us at Indie Games Tavern, Netherworld Covenant is one of the stronger indie ARPGs of late 2025 — a solid pick for fans of souls-inspired, build-heavy, replay-oriented action RPGs.

Who Should Play It?

• 🗡️ Fans of Soulslike / ARPG / Roguelike hybrids — if you like timing-based combat, procedural generation, and exploring builds.
• 🎯 Players who enjoy build diversity and experimentation — classes, weapons, Soul-Companions, relics, and randomized runs give wide scope for experimentation.
• 🔁 Gamers who appreciate replayability and challenge — randomized maps + higher-difficulty modes + roguelike resets + tactical combat make the game rewarding over many runs.
• 💻 Players with modest hardware or Steam Deck owners — the game supports controllers and runs smoothly even on medium specs.

Who Might Wait or Skip It?

• 💤 Players who dislike repetitive runs or roguelike resets — if repeated death and retry loops aren’t your thing, this might frustrate.
• ⚔️ Gamers who prefer easier, casual-friendly ARPGs — Netherworld Covenant demands precision, good timing, and pays little heed to “safe progression”.
• 🎮 People expecting vast open worlds or high variety — if you want dozens of distinct biomes, story-driven open-world exploration, this game’s labyrinth + procedural-dungeon focus may feel limited.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Players needing strong tutorial / gentle learning curve — due to combat demands and systems, newcomers might struggle.

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Netherworld Covenant 1.0 Review by Indie Games Tavern.

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