Soulless

Ziltron is already a graveyard by the time Earth’s Space Marines arrive, its artificial corridors overrun by zombies and every line of communication cut dead. Soulless is a deliberately old-school run-and-gun platform shooter, rebuilt from a 2008 original while retaining the harsh, arcade-minded attitude of that era. Its science-fiction horror premise is simple but effective: push through a ruined colony, locate survivors, and uncover what caused the outbreak before the entire settlement is lost. The mood is tense, pulpy, and unforgiving, with pre-rendered environments that give the action a distinctive retro PC look.

Combat revolves around surviving enemy-packed stages with the quick reactions and careful positioning expected of classic action platformers. Across 10 missions and 21 levels, players blast through infected threats, negotiate dangerous platforming routes, and choose among multiple paths through the colony. Six playable survivors can be rescued, and their individual conclusions give the campaign more purpose than simply reaching the final boss. Performance rankings encourage cleaner runs and repeat attempts, while the game’s hard-as-nails difficulty demands that players learn stage layouts, enemy behavior, and the safest way through each encounter.

The branching routes are Soulless’ biggest strength, making Ziltron feel less like a single straight corridor and more like a dangerous place worth revisiting. Rather than chasing modern cinematic spectacle, it leans into compact levels, demanding action, and the satisfaction of gradually mastering a punishing shooter. A gallery and selectable soundtrack, including original and new music, add welcome extras for players interested in the project’s history. Fans of Contra-style platform shooting, retro indie design, and challenging score-driven action should find plenty to enjoy, while newcomers should expect a steep learning curve rather than an easygoing zombie adventure.