Let’s start by saying that JRPGs are my favorite genre, something I’ve said countless times, and anyone who regularly follows my pages knows this all too well, so this statement might feel redundant and repetitive.
But what if I told you that the game I’m presenting today isn’t just another RPG inspired by Japanese titles reminiscent of Octopath Traveler? In my opinion, there’s something more here, something that, if developed further, could turn into something truly compelling. Let me give you a bit more context.
It appears that there’s a clear vision behind The Severed Gods. Developed by a small three-person team in Vietnam under the name TOPEBOX. A turn-based RPG that focuses on what many modern RPGs leave behind: sharp and complex tactical battles, deliberate pacing, and combat that forces you to read the enemy.
The core loop is simple on paper: control a group of eight reincarnated heroes and bring down massive bosses across a shattered, godless world. But under that premise, the mechanics tell a more complex story, and this is where, in my opinion, lies what could truly make a difference for the entire project.
Each battle revolves around facing giant, multi-phase bosses. These aren’t just damage sponges; they have breakable body parts, vertical zones you can target (low, mid, high), and stances that change how they behave.
Disabling a limb might cancel an attack or interrupt a special move. Attacking the right area at the right time opens new strategies. The game doesn’t encourage mindless grinding; it wants you to watch, learn, and adapt.
I could be wrong, but something like this, although it does appear in some boss fights, such as those in the Persona series, seems to be the core mechanic around which the entire project is built.
The idea of being defeated and starting over, perhaps with a dedicated skill to take on that specific boss, or discovering a weak spot and/or the right moment to target a specific body part, opens up some truly hardcore and intriguing possibilities.
The entire structure adheres to the roguelite design. Every run gives you a new shot at progress, but the world itself changes. Villages evolve. NPCs remember.
You can influence your path through story choices, consequences, and which relics or characters you prioritize. Even with the reincarnation mechanic resetting the game’s state, your decisions ripple into the next cycle.
Looks like there’s a strong emphasis on variety with over 120 enemy types and 30 multi-phase bosses that demand different tactics. More than 80 combat skills give you tools to experiment, while 90+ relics shift the way you approach fights.
Unlike many roguelites, where the story gets buried beneath systems, The Severed Gods ties narrative and gameplay together. Your allies, enemies, and the changing villages you return to all reflect the choices made in earlier runs.
Visually, the game has a strong identity and reminds me of Octopath Traveler. Characters and monsters are stylized and distinct, with bosses towering over your party in battles.
The interface looks clean, combat animations are deliberate, and there’s a dark, worn-down atmosphere to the world fitting for a setting where gods have been cut down and dragons still rule.
NPC interaction plays a role beyond flavor text. Certain dialogue decisions can impact events later in the game or shift how characters respond to you in future loops. That, combined with the build variety from relics and skills, pushes the game toward replayability without relying on procedural content alone.
The Severed Gods is expected to be released sometime in 2026 on PC via Steam. I think this isn’t a game trying to chase trends or mimic bigger RPGs. It’s focused, mechanical, and designed to reward players who enjoy dissecting patterns and finding solutions after being defeated repeatedly.
I’ll definitely keep following the project and share any news about it. Below you can find the Gameplay Trailer where you can see the monsters’ dissecting mechanic in action.
