Soom is a single-player action-adventure game set in a world shaped by nature, totems, and forest spirits. Players take control of Jormun, a totem deity who once granted the wishes of others and now awakens to pursue a wish of their own after a long slumber. The game emphasizes precise timing in combat and deliberate exploration through an isometric perspective on PC.
Gameplay
Combat centers on reading enemy movements and executing well-timed parries to interrupt attacks. A successful parry creates an opening that players can exploit with glaive strikes, including charged heavy attacks that require building momentum. The rhythm of defense and offense forms the core of each encounter, rewarding observation over button mashing.
Exploration takes place in a quarter-view 3D environment inspired by natural landscapes and totem motifs. Players follow paths that introduce distinctive characters and monsters, uncovering the consequences of stagnant wishes that have turned into threats. Movement and interaction tie directly into the parry-focused combat system, where positioning and timing matter in every sequence.
Game Modes
Soom presents its experience as a continuous single-player journey without separate modes or multiplayer components. The entire adventure unfolds through one connected narrative path, blending combat encounters with environmental exploration in the same session. Progression relies on mastering the parry and glaive mechanics as the story advances.
Story and Setting
The narrative follows Jormun after the blocking of the River of Wishes led to complacency among humans and the creation of monsters from rotted desires. Sealed away for a long time, the deity emerges into a world where totems and forest spirits still hold influence. The journey highlights the shift from fulfilling others' wishes to seeking one personally, with encounters that reflect this change through both dialogue and combat.
Is It Worth Playing?
Soom stands out as an indie title developed by students at Dongseo University under the Smallboots team. It earned two awards at the 2026 Busan Indie Connect Festival for excellence in art and game design, recognizing its visual style and the precision of its parry-based combat system. The focused mechanics and compact scope suit players who enjoy timing-driven action-adventure games with a strong emphasis on observation and counterplay. Those interested in short, deliberate experiences centered on a single protagonist's personal quest will find the core loop rewarding, especially given the attention to combat rhythm and world atmosphere. As a pre-release title scheduled for 2027, it currently offers no additional content or updates beyond the announced features.
