Three-person Danish developer The Outer Zone and publishing partner 11 Bit Studios (of Frostpunk fame) have unveiled Death Howl, a gorgeously moody melding of turn-based tactical action, deck-building, and “Soulslike” exploration that’s coming to PC later this year.
Death Howl is described as a “poignant tale of grief, healing, and resilience”, and follows the journey of hunter Ro as she leaves her tribe and ventures into a disturbingly realised realm of the spirits in the hope of reuniting with her deceased son.
It’s a journey through a land of horrors – of fearsome creatures and grotesque bosses – that combines grid-based, turn-based battles with a deck-building focus, and open-world exploration across a series of strikingly atmospheric biomes.
As players venture deeper, they’ll uncover fragments of Ro’s tale of love and loss, alongside the world’s forgotten lore. Additionally, each discoverable realm promises unique cards and deck mechanics that’ll gradually deepen Death Howl’s strategy layer, as well as the likes of shamanic totems that can further enhance a deck.