Stuffed Wombat, under the Mosa Lina publishers banner, announced Marble Souls today, a game that merges the methodical challenge of FromSoftware titles with the arcade-style physics of Super Monkey Ball. The game is slated for release sometime before the end of 2026 and is available to wishlist on Steam.
Marble Souls casts players as a "Dark Soulsy bloke" trapped within a physics-driven ball in a world reminiscent of FromSoftware's notoriously difficult action RPGs. Instead of direct combat, the core gameplay loop involves navigating an interconnected open world by rolling, collecting lost souls, and upgrading the player's marble and its stats, such as acceleration and jumping.
The developers described the experience as being "more about exploration and experimentation than rage-inducing progression loss." The focus shifts from overcoming enemies to forging a path through the environment, finding shortcuts, and unlocking new routes. The game's progression is tied to collecting souls, which can then be used to enhance the marble's capabilities and the player's stats.
While the premise might seem unusual, early impressions suggest a thoughtful design that aims to keep the gameplay fresh. The trailer also features a soundtrack described as "mournfully beautiful," fitting the melancholic tone often associated with Souls-like titles. The developers highlight the importance of understanding the marble's physics and mapping out the surroundings to succeed. Marble Souls promises a unique take on familiar genre elements, with its blend of challenging navigation and character progression.