Grief Embodied - Death Howl Launches on PC December 9th
Developed by the multitalented three-person team at The Outer Zone and published by 11 bit studios, Death Howl releases on PC on December 9. Console versions for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch are also in development and are scheduled to launch in 2026.
Blending beloved mechanics into something entirely its own, Death Howl is a genre-defying soulslike deck builder that tells the story of Ro, a mother from a shamanic tribe, who refuses to accept the loss of her child. In a desperate act, she descends into the spirit world to fight for a second chance.
Minimalist in presentation but unafraid of raw, harrowing themes, Death Howl unfolds as a metaphorical journey through sorrow, survival and acceptance. It’s a hunt where every step forward carries a cost - and every enemy demands a study worthy of a huntress.
True to soulslike tropes, defeat is not the end, but part of the learning path. Resting revives fallen foes, and understanding enemy behavior is crucial to progress. Death Howl enhances this structure with tactical, grid-based combat, deck-building systems, and action-RPG exploration across eerie, hostile biomes.
Each region introduces not just new enemies and active and passive abilities, but also new cards that offer deck-tailoring possibilities, allowing players to shape their tactical approach as they progress. Every fallen spirit adds to Ro’s strength in this quiet war of grief and resolve.
Will Ro reclaim what was taken from her? Or will the spirit world take her too?
Find out when Death Howl launches on PC this December 9. Console versions will follow in 2026. Game development was supported by the Danish Film Institute’s program The Games Scheme.