Sodaman is a bullet-heaven roguelike action game developed by a small team of four and available in Early Access on Xbox Series X|S. Players control a supersoldier who battles alien hordes using soda-based powers after a catastrophe known as the Sodacalypse left most sodas flat and tasteless. The core premise centers on locating untouched sodas while fighting back against the invaders responsible for the disaster.
Gameplay
The gameplay loop revolves around short, intense runs where players collect and combine soda powers from seven distinct colors. These powers can be mixed and enhanced with fury to create varied builds that change how each attempt unfolds. Weapons are selected to match different playstyles, and synergies emerge when powers and armaments interact during combat against waves of enemies.
Character progression includes six body parts that accept more than thirty cybernetic augments for customization. Between combat sequences, a deck-building system lets players choose from dozens of power-up cards to strengthen soda abilities for future runs. The spaceship serves as a hub for relaxation, character interactions, and exploration of the broader universe outside active missions.
Game Modes
Sodaman structures its experience around roguelike runs that emphasize repeated attempts with procedural elements and build experimentation. No separate competitive or cooperative modes have been confirmed, keeping the focus on solo progression through increasingly challenging encounters with alien forces.
The run-based format encourages testing new combinations of sodas, weapons, augments, and cards on each attempt, with the spaceship providing downtime to refine strategies before the next outing.
Core Mechanics and Progression
Combat relies on twin-stick controls typical of the genre, where movement and aiming happen simultaneously while soda powers activate automatically or on command to clear hordes. The seven color system for sodas adds variety, allowing players to experiment with elemental or effect-based combinations that suit aggressive or defensive approaches.
Augments and deck choices create layered customization that rewards experimentation across multiple runs. The alien enemies, often described as insectoid in nature, appear in dense groups that test build effectiveness and quick decision-making.
Is It Worth Playing?
Sodaman suits players who enjoy roguelike action games with light deck-building and customization layers in a casual package. The Early Access version includes a free demo on Xbox, letting interested players sample the soda-powered combat and run structure before committing.
Reception highlights the frantic pace and absurd premise as strengths for short sessions or longer grinding, though some note the game is still evolving with its small development team. Those drawn to Vampire Survivors-style horde survival with added weapon and augment depth may find it a solid fit, especially if they appreciate the humorous soda theme and spaceship hub elements.
