EVILBANE Is Coming to PC and Xbox

EVILBANE at a glance

Netmarble’s official site describes EVILBANE as a four-player cooperative action game powered by Unreal Engine 5, while the Xbox and Steam listings identify Netmarble Monster as the developer and Netmarble as the publisher.

A kingdom shattered by the Archdemon

EVILBANE takes place in a world broken by the rise of an Archdemon. Humans, demons, traitors and competing factions fight over a kingdom descending into chaos. Players become warriors attempting to reclaim occupied territory and determine whether the world returns to the light or falls further into darkness.

The setting supports a wider campaign rather than a collection of disconnected arenas. Missions take place behind enemy lines and feed into an interconnected conflict in which individual and squad actions contribute to the broader war.

Netmarble has positioned teamwork and tactical adaptation as central themes. A squad may need to clear ordinary enemies, complete optional tasks, choose alternate routes and coordinate during boss encounters rather than relying only on raw character power.

How combat works

The defining combat feature is the ability to switch freely between melee and ranged weapons. Instead of locking a character into one distance or role, EVILBANE encourages players to respond to the encounter in front of them.

Players combine two weapon skill sets with two powerful Heavenstone abilities. Weapon skills provide the active attacks associated with the chosen equipment, while Heavenstone powers deliver larger battlefield effects. Earlier demonstrations included abilities such as Arrow Barrage and Meteor.

This setup creates several tactical choices:

• Move into melee range when an enemy is vulnerable.
• Switch to ranged attacks when approaching is unsafe.
• Save a Heavenstone ability for a boss phase or concentrated group.
• Coordinate complementary skills with the rest of the squad.
• Adjust the build for the mission rather than relying on a fixed class routine.

The Xbox listing describes boss battles as encounters requiring careful coordination, suggesting that positioning, timing and the order in which abilities are used will matter during higher-pressure fights.

Mission design and the wider war

EVILBANE missions contain a central objective supported by optional tasks. Completing those secondary goals can provide additional rewards or tactical advantages. Players may approach a mission directly, explore another route or use specialized roles to support the group.

The broader campaign is described as persistent and global. Individual missions contribute to a larger conflict involving demonic armies, warlords and opportunistic factions. This structure is intended to give repeated expeditions a shared strategic context rather than presenting every operation as an isolated dungeon.

The final balance between authored progression, repeatable content and evolving campaign conditions may continue changing during development. Netmarble is still running tests.

Can EVILBANE be played solo?

Yes. Both the Xbox and Steam descriptions state that EVILBANE can be tackled alone or with friends. Cooperative play supports up to four participants.

The available descriptions do not yet explain every difference between solo and cooperative sessions. It remains unclear whether solo players receive AI companions, encounter scaling or a completely independent mission balance. Those details should become clearer through later developer notes or the final store documentation.

The game is nevertheless clearly designed to emphasize teamwork. Boss mechanics, combined skill sets and strategic missions are repeatedly presented as reasons to form a squad.

What platforms is EVILBANE coming to?

The planned platforms are:

• Windows PC through Steam
• Windows PC through the Microsoft Store
• Xbox Series X|S

Netmarble has pointed to 2026 for the launch, with a firm date not yet fixed.

The live Xbox page presents EVILBANE as an Xbox title with PC capabilities and allows users to add it to a wishlist. It does not establish that the game has already launched.

No PlayStation or Nintendo edition appears in the current official platform information. A future expansion is possible, but it should not be reported unless Netmarble or a platform holder announces it.

Current status and playtests

EVILBANE remains in active development. The Steam page offers access to an EVILBANE Playtest and lists developer announcements for the first Steam testing period in early October 2026.

Earlier testing ran through the Xbox Insider Program in the United States, Canada, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany and France. Those pre-alpha sessions were used to collect feedback before the next development phase.

Early feedback focused partly on character individuality. The development team said it was working to make each playable character feel more distinct as production continued. Because that statement came from an earlier testing stage, it is better understood as a development priority than as a description of the final roster.

Players interested in future tests can join the official site’s notification list or request access through the Steam Playtest system when enrollment is available.

Is EVILBANE a Soulslike?

EVILBANE is more accurately described as a cooperative action RPG than as a Soulslike. Its dark fantasy setting, large monsters and deliberate boss coordination may appeal to a similar audience, but the official descriptions focus on weapon switching, skill customization, team strategy and mission objectives.

A Soulslike label usually implies a specific combination of consequences, checkpoint structure, resource recovery, enemy reset behavior and combat pacing. Netmarble’s current materials do not establish all of those systems. The broader “co-op action RPG” category is therefore more accurate.

The game enters a crowded action-RPG market that also includes very different experiences such as Where Winds Meet. EVILBANE’s distinguishing angle is the combination of four-player missions, switchable ranged and melee loadouts and a persistent dark-fantasy war.

Development credits and technology

Netmarble Monster is developing EVILBANE, and Netmarble is publishing it. The official site states that the game uses Unreal Engine 5 to deliver its high-quality visuals and action-focused presentation.

The Steam disclosure also states that generative AI was used in a supplementary role for some background object assets, UI icons, localization elements and voice content, with the results reviewed and refined by the development team. The store also warns that combat can include blood and dismemberment.

These disclosures are part of the current Steam product record and may be relevant to players evaluating the game’s content and production methods.

Frequently asked questions

What is EVILBANE?

EVILBANE is a dark-fantasy action RPG supporting solo play and cooperative squads of up to four players. It combines melee and ranged weapon switching, customizable skill builds and coordinated missions.

When will EVILBANE launch?

Netmarble has pointed to 2026 for PC and Xbox, with a firm date not yet fixed.

Is EVILBANE coming to Xbox?

Yes. Xbox Series X|S is a planned platform alongside Windows PC.

Is EVILBANE coming to Steam?

Yes. The Steam page is live, and a Steam Playtest is available for selected testing periods.

Can EVILBANE be played alone?

Yes. Netmarble says the game can be played solo or with friends. Up to four players can join a cooperative squad.

Does EVILBANE support both melee and ranged combat?

Yes. Players can switch between melee and ranged weapons and combine two weapon skill sets with two Heavenstone abilities.

Final answer

EVILBANE is headed to Windows PC and Xbox Series X|S as a solo or four-player cooperative dark-fantasy action RPG. Netmarble Monster is designing it around adaptable melee and ranged combat, customizable skills, optional mission objectives and coordinated boss fights.

Netmarble has pointed to a 2026 launch, but a firm date is not yet fixed while playtesting and development continue.