Filipino Developer Unveils Ambitious PS1-Style Soulslike Memoirium
The game is funded by a dev behind Slay the Spire and a mystery partner via Outersloth, the indie game fund created by the developers of Among Us.
In an important development for the Southeast Asian indie gaming scene, Filipino solo developer Paolo Villanueva (known as GoldenGratus) has announced Memoirium, a PlayStation 1-inspired soulslike game slated for Steam release in late 2026.
The game has gained backing from Outersloth, the indie fund established by the Among Us developers, a mystery partner, and with additional support from Casey Yano, maker of Slay The Spire.
Memoirium distinguishes itself in the highly popular soulslike genre by interweaving nostalgic PS1-era aesthetics with deep themes of personal reflection and human experience.
The game takes place in a deteriorating dream realm where players, as trapped Dreamers, must face off against powerful entities blocking their path to freedom.
The combat system is set to emphasize timing and parrying mechanics, with a progressive “reflection” system that changes enemy encounters and statuses based on the player’s equipment choices. While the game provides a suggested path, players will venture into more challenging areas at their discretion, exploring eight environments ranging from familiar school hallways to fantastical spaceships.
Villanueva plans to incorporate a distinct feature that sets Memoirium apart from other soulslikes: a customizable hub room where players can create their own safe space. This area supposedly serves as more than just a checkpoint, allowing players to decorate and attach personal writings to objects, encouraging self-reflection without making it mandatory.
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The backing from established industry figures represents a significant vote of confidence in both the project and Villanueva’s vision, highlighting the growing recognition of Southeast Asian game developers in the global indie scene. For fans of both early 3D graphics and challenging action games, Memoirium promises to deliver a fresh take on the soulslike formula when it launches on Steam in Q4 2026.
