Nexon’s New Soulslike, Vindictus: Defying Fate, Heads to Alpha in June — And It’s Got Big Shoes to Fill

When The First Berserker: Khazan launched earlier this year, no one expected a publisher mostly known for long-running MMOs like MapleStory and Vindictus to suddenly drop one of the most praised Souls-like games in recent memory. Yet that’s exactly what Nexon did. Built by Neople, Khazan brought brutal, stylish combat and surprisingly deep world-building into a single-player format, earning comparisons to Nioh and even Bloodborne in some circles. Now, Nexon is hoping lightning strikes twice with its next dark-fantasy action-RPG, Vindictus: Defying Fate, which officially enters alpha testing this June.

If Khazan was Nexon’s answer to Dark Souls, then Vindictus: Defying Fate looks like its next move in the growing Soulslike arms race — and it’s shaping up to be a bold one.

From MMO Legacy to Modern Soulslike

Let’s take a quick step back: Soulslikes have become a genre unto themselves in the last decade. Thanks to FromSoftware’s wildly influential Dark Souls series, we now have entire design philosophies built around unforgiving combat, environmental storytelling, and punishing-but-fair boss battles. Games like Lies of P, Lords of the Fallen, and Wo Long have expanded the formula with their own twists, while indies like Salt and Sanctuary or Mortal Shell keep the genre fresh in unique ways.

But the most surprising Soulslike of 2025 has, so far, been The First Berserker: Khazan. Based on Nexon’s Dungeon Fighter Online (DFO) MMO, Khazan took a beloved character from the online world and gave him a gritty, weighty single-player journey packed with style. Critics loved it. The players loved it. Some even called it one of the best non-FromSoftware Soulslikes ever made. It was fast, fluid, and brutal — all while staying faithful to the DFO universe.

This brings us to Vindictus: Defying Fate.

Enter Defying Fate

Vindictus: Defying Fate is the next step in Nexon’s strategy of adapting its MMO worlds into standalone action-RPGs. This time, the game draws from the Vindictus universe — a darker, more violent take on fantasy that already has a loyal player base from its original release in 2010. Unlike Khazan, which was developed by Neople, Defying Fate is being built by CAG Studio. Still, both games are united under Nexon’s umbrella and share a common goal: bringing old MMO lore into the modern single-player action space.

In June, Defying Fate will enter alpha testing, and it’s bringing with it two fan-favorite characters from the Vindictus MMO: Karok, the hulking brawler known for sheer force, and Delia, a regal warrior with a massive greatsword. The game’s combat system already looks deep, featuring mechanics like stagger timing, Perfect Guard (known here as Special Actions), and dynamic battlefield movement like grappling and ziplining — a refreshing twist that we don’t usually see in grounded Soulslikes.

What sets this game apart early on is the emphasis on environmental interaction. According to the developer’s log released via Steam, players will be able to manipulate parts of the map, navigate vertical space mid-fight, and dynamically enter combat zones — more Sekiro than Elden Ring in that respect. These layers of interactivity could give Defying Fate the edge it needs to stand out in a crowded genre.

A Trailer and a Tease

While the teaser trailer was short, it gave us glimpses of moody lighting, sharp weapon clashes, and atmospheric environments. From dilapidated temples to snowy mountain passes, Vindictus: Defying Fate seems to lean into the bleak fantasy tone that Soulslike fans expect while still keeping a flavor of its MMO origins.

One thing to note: if you played the game during its pre-alpha phase, your progress won’t carry over into the June alpha. That’s a bit of a bummer, but understandable given the major systems being refined or reworked for this phase. It also suggests the devs are serious about quality — not just cashing in on the Khazan hype.

Nexon’s Pivot to Prestige

Nexon isn’t new to success — MapleStory is over 20 years old and still thriving, Dave the Diver was a surprise indie smash (now with Yakuza DLC, no less), and Khazan raised the bar for what we can expect from MMO-inspired single-player games. Now, the company is clearly leaning into the “Soulslike renaissance” and doing it on its own terms.

Instead of chasing trends, Nexon is converting its rich MMO history into full-fledged action games — and the results speak for themselves. If Defying Fate lands even half as well as Khazan, we could be witnessing the birth of a long-term franchise strategy, where every Nexon MMO becomes the foundation for a serious solo adventure.

Wishlist it now on Steam and be among the first to experience the action!

We’re in an era where every studio wants its own Soulslike — but few manage to capture the right balance of tension, world-building, and weighty combat. Nexon, oddly enough, might be one of the few actually getting it right. Vindictus: Defying Fate still has a lot to prove, but the foundation looks solid, and its MMO roots give it a deep lore pool to pull from.

With alpha testing just around the corner, fans of Khazan, Vindictus, or just gritty fantasy action in general should definitely keep this one on their radar. If the trend continues, don’t be surprised if Nexon’s next breakout hit isn’t an MMO at all — but a Soulslike that started life as one.