Ties: Soul Link

About Ties: Soul Link

Ties: Soul Link is a 2D Metroidvania with action RPG and platformer elements developed by North Tokyo. Set in Neon City in 2097, it follows Kiro, a boy separated from his lifelong friend Chloe after a tragic accident. Weakened and alone, Kiro must navigate decaying urban and wild environments to reunite with Chloe and uncover the mysteries of the Soul Link. The game blends fast-paced combat with exploration, emphasizing backtracking and environmental storytelling. Released in 2026 for PC, it leans into bleak, atmospheric visuals and a narrative centered on resilience and emotional stakes.

Gameplay

You control Kiro in side-scrolling levels filled with verticality and hidden paths. Combat revolves around a katana and limited magic abilities tied to the Soul Link, which can absorb enemy attacks to restore health. The game demands precise platforming and memorization of level layouts, as progression often hinges on acquiring new abilities like dash or wall jumps. Boss fights are brutal, requiring pattern recognition and resource management. Sessions feel punishing but rewarding, with each death forcing you to adapt strategies. The world is littered with collectibles that flesh out the lore, but the story unfolds primarily through sparse dialogue and environmental cues.

What Players Think

PlayPile users rate it 7.8/10, with 62% completing the main story. Average playtime is 12.5 hours, though 23% report over 20 hours due to backtracking. Community moods lean tense (45%) and determined (38%), with 19% calling it "overly punishing." Critics praise its visuals and emotional beats but note repetitive combat and a steep difficulty curve. One user wrote, "The world feels alive but the mechanics don’t always match the ambition." Achievement completion stands at 81%, with "Soul Absorption Master" (beating a boss on 10% health) being the most skipped.

PlayPile's Take

Worth trying if you enjoy punishing Metroidvanias with strong themes. The $29.99 price tag feels steep for its 12-hour core experience, but fans of emotional narratives and skill-based combat may find value in its challenge. Achievements add replayability, though completion isn’t essential. Skip if you dislike permadeath or prefer hand-holding.

Storyline

After an unfortunate accident, Kiro and Chloe are abruptly separated, after having been together almost since their first days of life. This causes Kiro to become completely weakened and Chloe to fall ill. Kiro will have to find the way to Chloe to save both his friend and himself. The path will not be easy, as the world that extends beyond Neon City is dangerous and wild. The adventure will take Kiro around the world, showing him the ruins of the old world and unveiling the secrets of the Soul Link, until now unknown to humanity.