Wildkeepers Rising

About Wildkeepers Rising

Wildkeepers Rising is a whimsical action-RPG roguelite that mixes bullet-dodging combat with monster taming. Developed by Lioncode Games, it released October 23 2025 on PC and Switch. You play as Korin or Ophelia, fighting endless waves of enemies while recruiting and customizing beast companions. The hand-drawn world features randomized dungeons and elemental synergies between your party. Think fast-paced boss rush gameplay with permadeath stakes and a creature-collection angle. It’s a niche blend of chaotic action and strategic monster management.

Gameplay

Each run starts with selecting a hero and a monster companion. You dash dodge through procedurally generated levels, shooting enemies while managing your partner’s attack patterns. Bosses have multi-phase mechanics requiring precise timing and elemental counters. Between runs, you upgrade skills and tweak monster abilities. Combat feels twitchy and reactive, with enemies scaling in difficulty as you progress. The roguelite elements mean no two sessions are alike, but permadeath ensures high tension. Controls are tight but require practice, especially when balancing your character and partner’s movements.

What Players Think

PlayPile users rate it 8.7/10, with 78% completing at least one full run. Average playtime is 14 hours, and 122 achievements track everything from boss deaths to monster tames. Community moods lean toward “addictive” (34%) and “lovable chaos” (28%), though 18% call it “frustratingly hard.” Critics praise the art style and synergy depth but note repetitive early-game content. One review: “The monster bond system is genius, but the difficulty spike after level 5 is brutal.” 62% of players own both PC and Switch versions, with 89% completing the main campaign.

PlayPile's Take

Wildkeepers Rising is $29.99 and worth it for fans of challenge-heavy roguelites. It excels in late-game boss variety and creature customization but struggles to retain players before then. The 14-hour average suggests it’s a short-term blast rather than a marathon. With 122 achievements, it rewards persistence, though 22% abandon after the first death. If you enjoy high-risk action-RPGs with permadeath and a soft spot for quirky monster designs, this is your jam. Otherwise, skip the steep learning curve.

Storyline

When the monsters came, the Wildkeepers and their Guardians were our only hope. Korin and Ophelia met just outside Ironshade, and they are working tirelessly together to put an end to the invasion. Will they succeed?