Love makes fools of us all – and in Lovish, it turns a brave knight into a reckless one-man army.
Out now on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S (and also available on PlayStation, PC and Nintendo Switch), this outrageously charming 8-bit action-adventure puts romance, jealousy and monster-slaying into one gloriously chaotic package.
Priced at £16.74, Lovish sees Sir Solomon storming the Devil Lord’s castle alone, driven by one all-consuming fear; that Princess Tsuna might fall for someone else if he doesn’t get there first.
What follows is a fast-paced, funny and frequently unpredictable retro adventure that leans hard into surprise, humour and tight room-by-room action.
A Hero’s Journey Powered By Jealousy
In most fantasy tales, heroes band together to defeat evil. Lovish flips that idea on its head. Sir Solomon abandons his fellow Saviors of Light entirely, choosing love over loyalty as he dives headfirst into danger.
Each room inside the Devil Lord’s castle is a self-contained challenge, blending quick reflex combat with exploration and item collection. Clear the room, reach the exit, and brace yourself, because what happens next is never guaranteed.
Short event scenes trigger between rooms, and they can swing wildly in tone and consequence. You might stumble upon a helpful item, be thrown into a surprise RPG-style encounter, or witness the world itself unravel in spectacular fashion. It’s this constant uncertainty that keeps Lovish feeling lively and unpredictable from start to finish.
Bite-Sized Action With Big Personality
At its core, Lovish is built around tight, approachable action. Combat is immediate and satisfying, rooms are compact and purposeful, and progression comes thick and fast. But it’s the personality layered on top that really sells the experience.
From absurd humour to lovingly crafted pixel art, every element feels intentionally old-school without ever becoming stale. The castle is packed with secrets, strange characters and optional surprises that reward curiosity just as much as skill.
And yes, even the art proudly wears its human touch on its sleeve, leaning into hand-crafted visuals that feel refreshingly authentic in an era of automation.
At A Glance – What Is Lovish?
- Price: £16.74
- Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation, PC, Nintendo Switch
- Genre: 8-bit Action-Adventure
- Players: Single-player
- Developer: LABS Works / Matt Kap
- Publisher: DANGEN Entertainment
Key Features
- 50+ bite-sized action levels with multiple objectives
- Hundreds of randomised event scenes between rooms
- A wide selection of items to upgrade abilities – or break the game in strange ways
- An in-game shop using earned currency (no microtransactions)
- 100+ characters, including designs by manga artist Ryusuke Mita
- A 20+ track retro soundtrack composed by Matt Kap
- Packed with secrets, guest appearances and unexpected twists
A Retro Love Letter With Modern Mischief
Created by Matt Kap – known for cult favourites like Astalon: Tears of the Earth and Castle in the Darkness – Lovish feels like a love letter to classic action games, but one that isn’t afraid to poke fun at itself along the way.
It’s brisk, playful and packed with personality, delivering a retro-styled adventure that thrives on variety and surprise. Whether you’re chasing completion, uncovering secrets, or just enjoying the absurd journey, Lovish rarely sits still for long.
Available Now On Xbox And Beyond
Lovish is available right now on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S (through the Xbox Store), with versions also launching today on PlayStation, PC and Nintendo Switch.
If you’ve got a soft spot for pixel art, fast-paced action and games that don’t take themselves too seriously, Sir Solomon’s ill-advised quest for love might be well worth joining.
Unfortunately, Lovish is not included with Xbox Game Pass, and it does not support Xbox Play Anywhere.
Just don’t expect him to wait around for backup.
Our full review of Lovish is on the way.
