Fans of Dragon’s Crown, Devil May Cry, and Castlevania have a new gothic action title to sink their teeth into. Indie studio Wombo Combo Games, a two-person team based in Fukuoka, Japan, has officially launched Ghost Vanguard on Kickstarter today, alongside a brand-new playable demo on Steam. The project is seeking $20,000 in funding, with stretch goals aimed at unlocking new characters, NG+ modes, localization options, and console ports for PlayStation and Xbox.
A Stylish Roguelike Beat ’Em Up With Dark Fantasy Flair
Ghost Vanguard is a side-scrolling roguelike beat ’em up that blends fluid combos, fast-paced mobility, and gothic world design. Players battle through cursed labyrinths, chaining devastating aerial combos, unleashing powerful elemental spells, and experimenting with relics that dramatically change playstyles.
The game pays homage to some of the genre’s greats while carving its own path, with “legend cosmetics” serving as tributes to the team’s biggest inspirations. Its goal is to deliver a fresh mix of roguelike replayability and stylish action combat in a world inspired by dark fantasy classics.
Kickstarter Rewards With a Personal Touch
Backers won’t just be funding the game—they’ll be leaving their mark on it. Pledge rewards include opportunities to:
- Add personalized messages hidden within the world (similar to Bloodborne’s NPC interactions).
- Design spells, relics, and statues that appear in-game.
- Unlock exclusive cosmetic tributes tied to iconic inspirations.
The campaign also introduces Community Rewards, where small fan-driven milestones will add extra features like new character colors and weapon visuals for all players when the game officially launches in 2026.
New Demo Now Available on Steam
To give players a real taste of its combat and progression, a new demo is available on Steam during the campaign. The demo includes:
- 2–3 hours of content, featuring two unique boss fights.
- A one-handed sword with three distinct combat styles.
- 10 upgradable spells and a range of relics for diverse builds.
- Playstyles including Flame Buff builds, Frost Mage setups, aerial combo specialists, and light-based burst tactics.
- Unlockable advanced moves such as parry, air dash, and double jump.
The demo has already been showcased by UK-based YouTubers Major Playerz, specialists in the beat ’em up genre, giving fans an early glimpse of the game’s depth and stylish action.
Looking Toward 2026
If successfully funded, Ghost Vanguard is targeting a 2026 release, with PC (Steam) and Nintendo Switch confirmed. PlayStation and Xbox versions will arrive if stretch goals are met. With its mix of roguelike progression, deep combo systems, and gothic fantasy atmosphere, Ghost Vanguard aims to be one of the most exciting indie action games on the horizon.
Play the demo and wishlist on Steam | Back Now On Kickstarter
