Memoirium combines Dark Souls, Inception, and Backrooms in Steam’s Coolest New Action RPG

Fact: The fluid, crumbling dreamscapes of Inception would make for an excellent video game. And no genre is better-suited for those vibes than Soulslikes. From the medieval fantasy look of the genre’s origins to the overwhelming sci-fi horror of Hellpoint, all we need now is a game willing to combine the aesthetics of its predecessors into something truly unreal. For those who agree, the perfect game comes out in just a few days.

Memoirium, a new action RPG from solo developer GoldenGratus, brings together retro graphics, modern Soulslike gameplay, and an uncanny dream world for what might become one of the most surreal games of the year.

In Memorium, you navigate a strange realm of dreams, composed of strange, interconnected locations. Playing as the Dreamer, you may find yourself in graveyards, rustic castles, and a 21st-century classroom. Unlike most Soulslikes — or even most action RPGs — Memoirium’s locations aren’t limited to any specific theme. Because the game takes place entirely in dreams, going from sci-fi to medieval fantasy to a startlingly modern look is perfectly reasonable.

The game’s retro aesthetic, reminiscent of PS1-era graphics, bolsters the landscape’s eeriness. Those graphics also contribute to a sense of liminality, with locations feeling “off” or deliberately unfinished, which is sure to resonate with fans of Backrooms or other liminal horror. The surreal, uncanny vibe may even remind some players of one of FromSoftware’s earliest titles — the 1998 horror game Echo Night.

The core gameplay is distinctly Soulslike: you’ll need to manage your stamina, balance light and heavy attacks, and know when to block or dodge. You can explore eight unique dungeons and collect dozens of weapons, spells, and pieces of equipment. Keepsakes provide passive buffs and, unlike traditional consumable items, they replenish at certain points in the game.

Rare among Soulslikes, though, is “Your Room,” a mysterious, fully customizable respite from the chaos outside. As you explore, you’ll collect mementos with which to decorate your space. Those decorations are themselves pretty interesting, including a desktop computer, a bed, and a desk. As the game’s Steam description suggests, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to “Dream, Defy, Decorate” throughout Memoirium.

Memoirium has the support of Outersloth, the indie game fund created by Among Us developer Innersloth in 2024. Considering the high quality of other Outersloth-funded games — like this year’s Flock Around and Dosa Divas — there’s a fair reason to believe Memoirium will be another sleeper hit.

Memoirium will be released Aug. 13 on Windows PC