‘Death Howl’ is an evocative Xbox indie that combines turn-based tactics, retro-horror pixel art, atop a powerful story

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We have a word for a child who loses their parents – an orphan – but there isn’t one to describe the pain a parent feels when they lose a child, a topic often considered too difficult to discuss. Sadly, many people experience this devastating loss. Death Howl, the new game from 11 bit studios and The Outer Zone, powerfully captures a mother’s grief, creating a deeply moving and unforgettable experience that stays with you long after the game ends.

Death Howl follows Ro, a mother devastated by the loss of her son. Driven by grief, she ventures into a dangerous realm between life and death, determined to bring him back. Her search leads her through four unique worlds, each divided into thirteen beautifully detailed areas. But these lands are filled with troubled spirits who will try to stop her from reaching her son.

Games about grief aren’t new, but Death Howl offers a fresh approach. It’s a challenging game that combines strategic, turn-based battles with card collecting. Players control Ro as she explores a spirit world, but her emotional journey is often hindered by bizarre and dangerous animal spirits.

Battles with Ro start as soon as she enters the arena. Players choose her initial spot from the first row they access. Ro fights by channeling her grief through a deck of cards. These cards are made from items gathered in the spirit world and powered by the cries of defeated enemies.

Cards require a certain amount of action points to play, and Ro can only take a limited number of actions each turn. Some cards are tied to specific locations and are more expensive to use outside of those areas, while others can be used anywhere with no extra cost.

Like other deck-building games, this one features cards with different actions. However, the game’s battle grid adds a layer of strategy. For example, the ‘Hurl a Rock’ card is effective against enemies two or three spaces away, but can’t be used if the enemy is right next to your character. On the other hand, ‘Quick Strike’ only works on enemies one space away, and might even push them back after hitting.

Effective strategy is key. For example, you could push an enemy back, then throw a rock to deal extra damage using your current abilities, all without wasting points on movement. Death Howl offers over 160 cards, letting you create a deck that matches your preferred playstyle.

Having lots of cards doesn’t mean you can unfairly boost Ro’s deck. The Death Howl ability limits your deck to 20 cards, so you need to carefully plan your strategy. You can focus on weakening enemies with poison while protecting Ro from spirit attacks, or build her up to deliver powerful blows. Another option is to improve your best cards by discarding the ones you don’t need.

Although Ro’s primary goal is finding her son, her travels through the spirit realm will involve other stories too. These side events offer moments of relief from Ro’s sadness and allow the author to share powerful, emotionally resonant tales that strengthen the overall narrative.

Early in the game, Ro meets a burning tree with a story: a fox stole eggs from a bluebird, and the tree set itself on fire to frighten the fox. However, this act also scared away the bluebird. It’s a beautifully told story showing how anger and revenge can hurt both ourselves and the people we care about, which makes the game’s emotional impact even stronger.

Death Howl is out now on Xbox PCs and handheld gaming devices for $19.99. It’s also planned to be released on standard Xbox consoles in early 2026. Players with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass can play it immediately as part of their subscription.

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2025-12-13 21:09