Game Smithing Limited dropped a surprise announcement on December 26, 2025 that sent Soulstone Survivors fans into a frenzy. Veil of the Soulstones, a cooperative roguelike auto-battler set in the same universe, is coming to Steam in 2026. Unlike the single-player bullet hell mayhem that defined Soulstone Survivors, this new entry leans heavily into cooperative play, darkness, and tension as players hunt creatures lurking in shadowy environments either alone or with friends.
The announcement comes as Game Smithing wraps up development on Soulstone Survivors, which launched to critical acclaim and built a dedicated fanbase through its depth, content, and addictive progression systems. Veil of the Soulstones started as an internal game jam prototype focused on improving the studio’s netcoding skills for multiplayer implementation. The team liked the concept so much they decided to turn it into a full game running parallel to their ongoing work on the delayed Rogue Soulstone project.
What Makes Veil Different from Soulstone Survivors
Soulstone Survivors thrived on frantic, screen-filling chaos where you’d obliterate thousands of enemies per run using increasingly absurd weapon and skill combinations. Veil of the Soulstones takes a completely different approach. This is a slower, more methodical experience focused on exploration, coordination, and adaptation. Threats lurk unseen in shadows rather than rushing at you in massive waves. Survival depends on smart builds, teamwork, and making careful decisions about when to push forward versus when to retreat.
The game retains the auto-battler DNA where your character attacks automatically, but combat feels more deliberate than Soulstone Survivors’ bullet hell intensity. You’ll explore the Void Fields, now engulfed by endless night, moving carefully through darkness while coordinating with teammates to overcome sudden ambushes. Every enemy defeated drops weapons and armor that you can equip immediately, allowing real-time build adaptation based on what you find rather than pre-planning loadouts.
According to game director and Game Smithing founder Allan Smith, the cooperative nature creates unexpected moments where you’re suddenly ambushed, frantically trying to rescue teammates while managing your own survival. That suspenseful edge distinguishes Veil from typical auto-battlers that prioritize optimization over moment-to-moment tension. The atmosphere leans heavily into horror and unpredictability, creating encounters that feel genuinely threatening rather than simply difficult.
Built from a Game Jam That Got Out of Hand
The origin story for Veil of the Soulstones reveals how unexpected success can reshape development plans. Game Smithing organized an internal game jam specifically focused on creating a cooperative game that would help them develop netcoding expertise. The team needed these skills for Rogue Soulstone, their ambitious follow-up to Soulstone Survivors that’s been in development for years without a release date.
Rogue Soulstone turned out to be overly ambitious as Game Smithing’s inaugural project. In a recent blog post, the studio acknowledged this and explained they’re now re-engaging with Rogue Soulstone using insights gained from completing Soulstone Survivors. The game jam concept for Veil impressed the team so much that they chose to continue its development as a full release rather than just using it as a technical exercise.
This means Game Smithing is now developing both Rogue Soulstone and Veil of the Soulstones simultaneously alongside continued support for Soulstone Survivors. That’s an ambitious workload for an indie studio, but the team appears confident they can handle parallel development after successfully completing and supporting their first major release. Reddit users discussing the announcement expressed confidence in Game Smithing’s ability to deliver quality given how Soulstone Survivors turned out.
The Art Style Shifts to Darker Territory
While Soulstone Survivors featured colorful spell effects and relatively bright environments despite its dark fantasy setting, Veil of the Soulstones embraces genuine darkness. The announcement trailer showcases shadowy environments where visibility is limited and threats emerge from pitch-black corners. The art style maintains the franchise’s distinctive look while dialing up atmospheric horror elements.
Reddit commenters specifically praised the art direction, noting how it differentiates Veil from its predecessor while maintaining visual cohesion within the Soulstone universe. The shift toward darkness isn’t just aesthetic; it directly impacts gameplay by limiting how much you can see at once and forcing players to move cautiously rather than charging forward confidently. That design choice fundamentally changes the pacing compared to Soulstone Survivors’ run-and-gun approach.
What Rewards Curiosity and Coordination
Game Smithing describes Veil of the Soulstones as rewarding curiosity, exploration, and coordination above all else. The Steam page emphasizes that smart builds and constant adaptation are crucial for survival. Unlike games where you can rely on a single overpowered strategy once discovered, Veil apparently forces you to adjust tactics based on what equipment drops, which enemies appear, and how your teammates are building their characters.
The loot system where every defeated enemy drops usable weapons and armor creates interesting build crafting opportunities. Rather than finding incremental stat upgrades, you’re constantly evaluating whether a new weapon’s properties synergize better with your current setup than what you’re using. This encourages experimentation and prevents runs from feeling stale since you’re always working with different equipment combinations.
Exploration is central to progression rather than just moving through linear paths. The game rewards players who take risks by venturing into dangerous areas or investigating suspicious locations. However, those risks come with genuine consequences. Poor coordination or overly aggressive exploration can result in team wipes, forcing you to restart runs and try different approaches. The balance between risk and reward creates tension that keeps players engaged beyond just optimizing damage output.
Drawing Inspiration from Old School RPGs
Game Smithing cited old school RPGs as heavy inspiration for Veil of the Soulstones’ design philosophy. That influence appears in the methodical pacing, emphasis on careful exploration, and the way combat requires tactical thinking rather than pure reflex. Classic dungeon crawlers prioritized party composition, resource management, and smart positioning, all elements that Veil incorporates into its auto-battler framework.
The cooperative aspect specifically echoes tabletop RPG experiences where success depends on team coordination and communication. Players need to discuss strategies, warn each other about threats, and make collective decisions about when to push forward or fall back. That social element elevates Veil beyond pure mechanical optimization into genuine cooperative experiences where personality and communication matter as much as build quality.
When Can You Actually Play It
Game Smithing hasn’t announced a specific release date beyond “2026” for Steam. The studio mentioned they’re looking for playtesters soon, suggesting development is far enough along for external testing but not yet approaching final release. Given that the announcement came in late December 2025, a late 2026 release window seems realistic assuming no major delays.
The team encouraged fans to wishlist and follow the game on Steam for updates. To celebrate the announcement, Soulstone Survivors received its biggest discount ever, dropping to 50% off at roughly $6.29 until January 5, 2026. That sale represents an opportunity for newcomers to experience the universe before Veil launches while also generating additional revenue to fund development.
Game Smithing also teased a new update for Soulstone Survivors arriving early 2026. The Christmas update added holiday decorations to the Void Hunter Fortress, including a physics-defying snowman and festive touches throughout the great hall. These continued updates demonstrate the studio’s commitment to supporting their existing game even while developing new projects.
What This Means for the Franchise
Veil of the Soulstones represents Game Smithing’s first attempt at expanding the Soulstone universe beyond the formula that made them successful. Rather than simply creating Soulstone Survivors 2 with more content, they’re experimenting with different genres and gameplay styles within the same setting. This approach could establish Soulstone as a franchise with diverse entries rather than a one-hit wonder that spawns endless similar sequels.
The cooperative focus also opens doors to different player demographics. Soulstone Survivors appealed primarily to solo players who enjoyed perfecting builds and chasing high scores. Veil targets groups of friends looking for cooperative experiences, potentially bringing new audiences into the franchise who wouldn’t necessarily play single-player auto-battlers. Successfully serving both audiences could significantly expand Game Smithing’s reach and financial stability.
However, developing three games simultaneously (Veil, Rogue Soulstone, and continued Soulstone Survivors support) while maintaining quality represents a significant challenge for a relatively small studio. If any of these projects suffer from divided attention or rushed development, it could damage the goodwill Game Smithing built through Soulstone Survivors’ successful launch and continued support. The next year will determine whether the studio can handle this ambitious expansion.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Veil of the Soulstones release?
The game is scheduled for release on Steam in 2026, though Game Smithing hasn’t provided a specific date. The studio mentioned they’re looking for playtesters soon, suggesting development is progressing but not yet ready for launch. A late 2026 release window seems likely based on the December 2025 announcement timing.
Is Veil of the Soulstones related to Soulstone Survivors?
Yes, Veil is set in the same universe as Soulstone Survivors and developed by the same team at Game Smithing Limited. However, it features completely different gameplay focused on cooperative exploration and auto-battler mechanics rather than the single-player bullet hell style of the original. The games share lore and aesthetic elements while offering distinct experiences.
Can you play Veil of the Soulstones solo?
Yes. While the game is designed with cooperative play in mind and many features focus on teamwork and coordination, Game Smithing confirmed you can brave the Veil alone if you prefer. Solo play will likely be more challenging given the emphasis on cooperative mechanics, but the option exists for players who prefer single-player experiences.
How does combat work in Veil of the Soulstones?
Veil is a real-time auto-battler where your character attacks automatically. Combat is more methodical and deliberate than Soulstone Survivors’ frantic bullet hell gameplay. You’ll explore dark environments, loot weapons and armor from defeated enemies, and adapt your build in real-time based on what equipment drops. Success depends on smart positioning, build synergies, and coordination with teammates.
What happened to Rogue Soulstone?
Rogue Soulstone is still in development alongside Veil of the Soulstones. Game Smithing acknowledged that Rogue Soulstone was overly ambitious as their first project and lacked a clear release date. The studio is now re-engaging with the project using lessons learned from completing Soulstone Survivors. Veil started as a game jam to improve netcoding skills for Rogue Soulstone but became its own full game.
Will Veil of the Soulstones have the same progression as Soulstone Survivors?
Game Smithing hasn’t detailed the progression system yet, though they mentioned the familiar pursuit of Soulstones will continue. The Steam page emphasizes build crafting, exploration rewards, and constant adaptation rather than the meta progression and unlockable content that drove Soulstone Survivors’ replayability. More information about progression systems will likely emerge closer to release.
Is Veil of the Soulstones coming to consoles?
Currently only the Steam version for PC has been announced for 2026. Soulstone Survivors eventually came to PlayStation 5 after its PC launch, so console ports for Veil are possible but haven’t been confirmed. Game Smithing will likely focus on the PC release first before considering additional platforms.
Conclusion
Veil of the Soulstones represents an ambitious departure from the formula that made Game Smithing successful while maintaining connections to the universe fans already love. By shifting from single-player bullet hell chaos to cooperative exploration with methodical combat, the studio is testing whether the Soulstone franchise can support diverse gameplay styles rather than just iterating on the same formula. The darker tone, emphasis on teamwork, and inspiration from old school RPGs create an identity distinct from Soulstone Survivors while preserving the deep build crafting and progression systems that made the original compelling. Whether Game Smithing can successfully develop Veil alongside Rogue Soulstone while continuing to support Soulstone Survivors remains the biggest question mark. The studio has never operated at this scale before, and divided attention could compromise quality if resources get stretched too thin. However, the strong reception to the announcement trailer and the goodwill earned through Soulstone Survivors’ successful launch suggest fans are willing to trust Game Smithing’s vision. For players who enjoyed Soulstone Survivors but wanted a more social experience or those who prefer methodical exploration over frantic action, Veil of the Soulstones could become the definitive entry in the franchise when it arrives in 2026.