Devil Jam, developed and published by the independent Belgian studio Rogueside, is a hand-drawn, metal-infused survivor-like roguelite that brings chaotic, beat-driven combat to the PS5. Released on consoles in late March 2026 after its PC debut, the game drops players into the fiery pits of Hell for an auto-shooter experience where rhythm, hordes of demons, and over-the-top rockstar power collide. It's a love letter to heavy metal aesthetics blended with Vampire Survivors-style gameplay, featuring a unique grid-based build system and a narrative twist on deals with the devil.
The plot kicks off with a down-on-his-luck rock guitarist named Falco, whose band was on the cusp of fame when Death claimed them prematurely. In a desperate bid for redemption and a second chance at stardom, Falco signs a cursed contract with the Devil himself, who pulls the band into the underworld to perform the ultimate gig. That gig having him battling it out with hordes of demonic monsters while ultimately taking on Death as a rival.
The story, itself, unfolds through short, Hades-inspired dialogue scenes between runs, introducing supporting characters like Falco's bandmates, who eventually become additional playable options along with the flamboyant Devil and various hellish figures. The narrative stays light and thematic, leaning more into rock-opera flair and seven deadly sins motifs than deep character arcs, but it provides fun flavor text and motivation for repeated attempts at the afterlife's biggest stage.
The Gameplay ...
Gameplay revolves around a classic survivor roguelite loop with a strong rhythmic twist. You control your character in top-down arenas, automatically unleashing attacks while manually moving to dodge, kite enemies, and position for maximum chaos. The standout feature is the 12-slot grid inventory system, which lets you equip and combine up to a dozen weapons, passives, and active skills at once for wildly different builds like guitar riffs that evolve into multi-directional barrages, sin-themed abilities, or escalating metal power-ups. Optional settings include adjustable difficulty levels, various challenges, and accessibility tweaks for movement or auto-fire intensity. In-game progression uses experience orbs dropped by enemies to level up and choose new items or upgrades, while currencies like demonic tokens or vials unlock permanent meta-progression, new characters, battlegrounds, and cosmetic or ability enhancements. The console version adds extra story content, challenges, and arenas for even more variety.
The core objective in Devil Jam is simple yet punishing. You must survive increasingly intense waves of enemies across a timed run (typically around 20 minutes), clear escalating hordes, and reach a final boss showdown against Death or other hellish threats. A typical run starts you relatively weak in a large, scrolling arena filled with demonic bats, slimes, goblins, and Kiss-inspired monstrosities. As you mow through waves, you level up, pick synergistic items that sync with the pounding metal soundtrack, and watch your screen turn into a symphony of projectiles and explosions. Success grants better unlocks and story bits, while failure sends you back to the Devil's lair for new build experiments. Each attempt at completion encouraging that "one more run" itch through smart randomization and combo potential.
The Presentation ...
Devil Jam's presentation nails the heavy metal vibe with vibrant, hand-drawn 2D art full of exaggerated demonic designs, fiery color palettes, and dynamic animations that make every jam session feel alive and chaotic. Character sprites have personality, especially during between-run chats, while arenas pulse with infernal concert energy. The soundtrack is impressive enough with pounding, riff-heavy metal tracks that sync thematically with combat, ramping up intensity as waves build and making successful builds feel like headbanging triumphs. Sound design complements it well, with crunchy guitar hits and demonic screams adding to the mosh-pit atmosphere.
The Verdict ...
Devil Jam offers solid replay value thanks to its deep build-crafting, multiple characters with distinct playstyles, unlockables, and added console content, though some players may find runs growing repetitive after dozens of attempts due to limited map variety. It's highly playable with a short-to-medium session length perfect for quick dives or longer sessions chasing completions. I recommend it to fans of survivor-likes who crave a fresh metal coating and don't mind lighter storytelling. It's especially rewarding if you enjoy experimenting with synergies and riding the rhythm of combat.
Devil Jam is best suited for players who love accessible yet deep roguelite auto-shooters, heavy metal aesthetics, and Hades-inspired narrative wrappers. It's a blast for casual horde-clearing sessions or dedicated build-crafters, but might feel shallow for those seeking complex storytelling or endless variety. At its budget-friendly price, it rocks hard enough to earn a spot in any PS5 library for genre enthusiasts.
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