An Open Beta for an Upcoming Roguevania Has Shadow Dropped on PS5

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Developer Bucketplay unexpectedly released an open beta for their new roguelike game, Reloadian, but currently only on PlayStation 5. The game was originally announced in December with a trailer as part of ID@Xbox, Microsoft’s program for supporting indie game developers on Windows and Xbox. While a Steam page lists a potential release in the second quarter of 2026, many players were unsure if Reloadian would even come to PS5, given its initial announcement through Microsoft’s program and the lack of updates since.

The recently released trailer for Reloadian describes it as a “fast-paced roguevania battle arena.” However, the gameplay shown focused on a single-player experience with side-scrolling levels and the exploration-focused mechanics typical of Metroidvania games. The trailer also highlighted a co-op mode where players fight enemies together, and brief clips showed one-on-one battles that played like classic fighting games such as Tekken or Street Fighter.

PS5 Users Can Now Try Out the Reloadian Open Beta

The open beta for Reloadian unexpectedly launched on PlayStation 5 on December 30th, giving players a chance to try out its Metroidvania-style cooperative gameplay before the full game comes out in 2026. Anyone with a PS5 can play the beta without needing a PlayStation Plus subscription, though PS Plus Premium members can also stream it. Currently, the beta isn’t available on PC or Xbox, but the developers plan to include crossplay functionality in the final release.

Okay, so I’m playing this game, Reloadian, and the story is wild. It’s set way in the future, like 2397, and humanity figured out how to cheat death – we basically upload our minds and live on digitally, all connected through this huge network called Nex. But things went sideways, and the universe is starting to fall apart! That’s where these weapons, also called Reloadians, come in – they can jump between dimensions, trying to fix everything. The whole world is super futuristic and cyberpunk – think neon lights, portals everywhere, and robots that can either help you out or totally mess you up. It’s a really cool vibe.

The beta version features a diverse cast of characters, each with a unique playstyle. For example, Adela is a strong, close-combat fighter who uses a hammer to create powerful shockwaves, while Yarn is a nimble assassin capable of short-range teleports. There are currently 12 characters available, with more to unlock, and each one has their own strengths, weaknesses, and abilities. Beyond the characters, Reloadian offers a wide range of weapons – both for close and long-range combat – that you can unlock and improve. You’ll also find helpful tools like a grappling chain, a drone, and a healing wand to support your gameplay.

Image via Bucketplay

The game’s online player-versus-player mode, Arena Crush, is available during the beta test, but it might be hard to find opponents to play against right now. If you’re looking for something to do, you can try the campaign mode on your own, and the game says other players can join in and help you out later.

Man, I was totally surprised when the Reloadian beta just dropped on PS5! It’s cool to see that happening more and more this year, though. Remember when Ubisoft dropped The Rogue Prince of Persia out of nowhere in August? That was awesome, and it was on Game Pass and PlayStation Plus right away. If you’re into that roguelike/Metroidvania style, there’s a lot coming. I’m especially hyped for Never Grave: The Witch and the Curse. It’s coming to a bunch of platforms in March 2026, and you play as a witch who explores dungeons and farms? Sounds like my kind of game!

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2025-12-31 19:04