Over the years, gamers have seen a wide range of settings get the soulslike treatment. FromSoftware has explored various medieval periods as well as gothic horror through the genre it pioneered. Anime soulslikes like Code Vein have been released, as have futuristic ones like The Surge. Even Star Wars has played with a few soulslike elements in the excellent Jedi series. And then there’s what is arguably the most impressive attempt yet at a soulslike game yet made by a studio other than FromSoftware: Lies of P, which puts a horrifying spin on Pinnochio lore. All of these games have unique aspects, but all of them share one thing in common: a dark tone than Steam’s Johan is striving to subvert.
Since so many soulslike games offer dark atmospheres, from Steam titles to AAA or AA attempts, it wouldn’t be surprising if some gamers viewed it as a fixture of the genre at this point. A darker world does allow for interesting boss designs while also supporting the genre’s staple of mysterious lore that players need to piece together, so it’s easy to see why it’s become the norm. Plus, FromSoftware has always done it, so for those seeking to create a beloved masterpiece like that studio’s games, it’s no surprise that many stick to the tried and true method of grimdark worlds. However, Johan bucking this trend is exactly what makes this particular soulslike game stand out from the pack.
Johan developer Vercors Studio has yet to share a release date for the game on its Steam page.
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Johan Features at a Glance
- EXPLORE a colorful and fantastical world as a medieval rabbit.
- PARRY attacks to trigger lethal finishers with your sword.
- SUMMON a range of creatures mid-battle to fight alongside you using manuscript pages discovered in the world.
- TRAVERSE the world using rabbit agility and a grappling hook.
Johan is a soulslike where you play as a medieval rabbit in a colorful, fantastical medieval world. Use the power of illuminated manuscripts to summon odd creatures of medieval folklore and face off against powerful foes.
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Johan’s Recipe Includes Elden Ring Exploration and Sekiro Combat
Perhaps the most entertaining part of Johan’s short trailer and the screenshots available on the Steam page of this particular soulslike game is how clearly a few shots resemble Elden Ring. The initial reveal of the large rabbit in a medieval outfit and with his sword at his side is obviously silly, but the epic way that it’s framed feels like promotional material from FromSoftware’s modern classic. Even more comparable is the “stepping out” shot pictured above and in the trailer, which sees the rabbit staring at a vast world to explore in a way players would have done countless times during their journey through The Lands Between.
Johan is seemingly striving to offer rewarding exploration like Elden Ring as well, as players will be able to use their “innate rabbit agility” and a grappling hook to reach hidden locations within the world. Said locations could contain manuscript pages, which essentially function like Elden Ring’s Spirit Ashes. However, instead of summoning an ally beside you every time — this can still happen here and there, as a strange human body with no head and a face on its chest fights alongside Johan near the end of the existing footage — sometimes the rabbit himself will change form. One example shown off this is the killer rabbit becoming an equally deadly snail, dashing through his adversaries.
Mechanically, Johan also leans on another beloved FromSoftware game, as the iconic Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is clearly felt in its regular combat. Whether it’s a knight or a hostile porcupine, players need to approach Johan like a rhythm game and parry multiple attacks to stun their enemy. If done successfully, the foe will be stunned, and can then be finished off with a flashy animation. The stun sound and visual of enemies collapsing is very reminiscent of what happens in FromSoftware games, and when paired with Johan borrowing the aerial stealth assassinations Sekiro‘s Wolf could do, the comparison seems apt.
Humor and Vibrant Colors Make Johan Different From Bloodborne and Lies of P
Elden Ring exploration and Sekiro combat are a very strong approach on paper, but it’s important not to ignore the elephant (or, more accurately, rabbit) in the room. Controlling a large, humanoid rabbit that’s out for revenge for an unknown reason is hilarious from a conceptual standpoint, and when paired with the colorful world, enemies, and presentation, it’s clear that the game will have a very different vibe from the typical soulslike. That lighthearted edge may not work for everyone, but it could attract soulslike fans burnt out on the same kind of tone as well as players who just want to laugh at wiping out everything in front of them as a humanoid rabbit. While Vercors Studio still has to show off bosses, give more details on how its world is being approached, and confirm or deny upgrade paths for Johan, what’s been shown thus far has a ton of potential.
