Death of the Fallen, Lords of the Fallen Sequel, Is Launching in 2026

CI Games has officially confirmed that the sequel to last year’s Lords of the Fallen is in production. Titled Death of the Fallen, it is preparing for a 2026 release with a PC exclusivity deal through the Epic Games Store. The original reboot, released in 2023, received a mixed reception due to performance issues and bugs, but post-launch patches helped solidify its place as one of the massive Soulslike games of the year, alongside Lies of P.

NEWS: Lords of the Fallen 2 is coming🚀

✅Single player campaign
✅Co-op with full ‘shared-progression’
✅Additional game modes
✅Various gameplay improvements
✅Developed on Unreal Engine 5
✅To be revealed in 2025
✅Strong marketing campaign to follow
✅Studio aims to enhance… pic.twitter.com/ihc1aqwW8t

— Rino (@RinoTheBouncer) October 1, 2024

Earlier this year, rumours swirled about a potential sequel, and CI Games has confirmed that the project, internally referred to as “Project III,” is underway. Despite previous speculation that the release might be in 2027, the publisher is now targeting 2026 for the launch of Death of the Fallen. Considering the scope of most AAA games, this three-year turnaround is relatively quick for a Soulslike of this scale.

Building on the foundation laid by its predecessor, Death of the Fallen promises refined gameplay, enhanced visuals, and more co-op features. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming game:

Everything We Know So Far About Death of the Fallen

Unreal Engine 5 and More Commercial Art Style

According to CI Games, Death of the Fallen (codenamed Project III) has been developing since 2024 and has entered total production. Hexworks, the studio behind the reboot, is handling the game and is expected to run on Unreal Engine 5. The transition to this cutting-edge engine will likely offer stunning visuals and more immersive world-building, elevating production value.

In addition, CI Games has also teased a “more commercial” art style and narrative, signalling an intention to broaden the game’s appeal while maintaining the dark, gothic atmosphere that Souls fans love. It suggests a potential shift in tone, but whether it involves a fundamental change in visual style or merely improved graphical fidelity remains unclear.

Gameplay Improvements and New Features

One of the most exciting announcements about Death of the Fallen is including a fully shared-progression co-op system. It departs from the often fragmented co-op experiences in Soulslike games, where multiplayer is either limited or conditional. Players can now team up with friends to tackle the game’s challenging environments and bosses without worrying about losing progress or reloading individual saves.

We see this move as a direct response to the community’s demand for more accessible multiplayer modes in Soulslike titles. Shared-progression co-op with single-player options should allow for more replayability and teamwork, appealing to a broader audience.

Moreover, we expect Death of the Fallen to make significant strides in gameplay and combat mechanics, drawing from lessons learned during the development of the 2023 reboot. While the specific details remain under wraps, CI Games has hinted at refined combat systems, more game modes, and an overall smoother experience. Soulslike veterans can expect the same level of intense boss encounters and intricate level design, but with improvements addressing the criticisms of the reboot.

The Umbral mechanic from the previous game, which allowed players to shift between two worlds, will likely return with even more complexity. This mechanic provided a fresh take on exploration and offered strategic depth in combat. With Unreal Engine 5, the feature could improved into more dynamic and visually stunning encounters.

Death of the Fallen Is Not the Only Ongoing Project

Besides Death of the Fallen, CI Games has several other projects in development. Project SGW Evolved, the next Sniper Ghost Warrior series, is set for a 2027 release and aims to combine first-person shooter and survival elements. Meanwhile, Project H is an action RPG in development at Underdog Studio, utilising Unreal Engine 5 and sharing systems with Lords of the Fallen. This game targets a 2028 release and promises to expand CI Games’ portfolio of high-quality titles.

With a “player-first development approach,” CI Games focuses on delivering polished, high-quality games in the coming years. The company’s latest financial report indicates that Lords of the Fallen has been a significant success, contributing 72% of the publisher’s revenue in the first half of 2024. Despite its rocky start, the game sold over 1.3 million copies by the end of 2023, proving the franchise still has a dedicated fanbase.

Concluding Statement

Death of the Fallen is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated Soulslike games in development. With Hexworks at the helm, an ambitious co-op system, and improvements across the board, the game has the potential to build on the success of its predecessor and capture the hearts of fans of the genre.

While the exclusivity deal with Epic Games may frustrate some players, the long-term potential remains promising. Souls fans should follow our Twitter page for further updates, as CI Games has planned a full reveal for Death of the Fallen in the coming year.