Project Rabbit Turns Alice in Wonderland Into a Brutal Soulslike Adventure

I remember the first time I saw a boss fight that felt impossible. You stare at the screen. You wonder if you'll ever win. That is the magic of a good soulslike.

Most games hold your hand. They tell you where to go. They tell you how to feel. But the best ones just drop you into the deep end. You either learn to swim or you sink.

Now, we have a new contender on the horizon. It takes one of the weirdest stories ever told and turns it into a test of skill. Imagine Alice in Wonderland, but with steel, blood, and a very sharp blade. It's called Project Rabbit, and it looks like a total nightmare.

Where the mad hatter meets the hardcore grind

We have lived in a post-Demon's Souls world for a long time. Since 2009, we have chased that high. You know the one. It's that feeling of triumph when a boss finally falls after your fiftieth try. FromSoftware changed everything with their design philosophy.

The term soulslike now defines a whole branch of the industry. We have seen games try to copy the formula with varying levels of success. Some lean into Eastern folklore, while others take classic fairy tales and give them a grim, dark coat of paint. Think of Lies of P and its take on Pinocchio. It was tough, stylish, and unforgiving.

Now, Project Rabbit wants to do the same for Alice. Lewis Carroll gave us a world of nonsense and wonder. This game wants to keep the wonder but add a heavy dose of dread. It's a bold move. It's also exactly what the genre needs right now.

Into the abyss of time and madness

You play as Alice. You don't jump down a rabbit hole in the traditional sense, though. Instead, you explore the Abyss of Time. It sounds like a place where things go wrong. Very wrong.

The world is full of twisted realities. You aren't just fighting regular enemies. You are facing creatures consumed by pure madness. The developers at Novaflare are aiming for that specific brand of misery we love. Expect split-second dodge windows. Expect bosses that punish every single mistake you make.

You can tackle this experience alone. Or, if you prefer, you can bring allies along for the ride. Finding loot is a huge part of the plan. You need better gear to survive the later areas. It's the classic loop: explore, die, upgrade, repeat.

The reveal trailer shows off some really fluid combat. It looks like a dance. A deadly, fast-paced dance. There is a weight to the attacks that feels right. You can see the inspiration from classics like Dark Souls or Elden Ring, but it has its own weird vibe.

We are still waiting for a release date. For now, the Steam page just says "coming soon." It's a tease, but it works. I'm already checking the page for updates. I want to see more of this world.

It's not just about the difficulty. It's about the aesthetic. The art style feels like a fever dream. If they nail the atmosphere, this could be a standout hit. I'm optimistic about what they're building.

The mechanics behind the madness

Technical performance is key for a game like this. You need tight controls. If the dodge doesn't feel right, the whole thing falls apart. The trailer say the team knows this. The frames of invincibility look precise.

Enemy behavior is another big piece of the puzzle. You need patterns that you can learn. If the AI is just random, it isn't fair. If it's too simple, it's boring. Project Rabbit seems to be aiming for that sweet spot of high-stakes pattern recognition.

The upgrade system will likely be the backbone of your progress. You collect items to boost your stats. You find weapons that change your play style. The developers seem focused on giving players options. That's always good to see in a genre that can be a bit rigid.

Can this title survive the soulslike storm?

The market is crowded. We have so many games trying to capture the FromSoftware magic. Some succeed. Some get lost in the shuffle. Project Rabbit has the advantage of a unique theme.

We have seen American McGee's Alice before. That was a different kind of game. It was an action platformer with a dark twist. Project Rabbit is different. It's a slow, methodical, and punishing experience. That sets it apart from the rest of the pack.

If the game can deliver on its promises, it will be a hit. It doesn't need to be Elden Ring. It just needs to be its own thing. I think it has a good shot at carving out a niche for itself.

I'm keeping my eyes on this one. It's a weird concept. It's a hard concept. But sometimes, that's exactly what makes a game worth playing. We'll see if it lives up to the hype when it finally hits our hard drives.

Quick questions answered

Is this a sequel to Alice: Madness Returns? No. This is a completely separate project from a different developer.

Can I play this with friends? Yes, the game features co-op elements for those who don't want to go it alone.

Is it difficult? If the trailer is any indication, yes. Expect a high bar for entry.

When can I buy it? There is no official date yet. Keep an eye on their Steam page for news.

What engine is it using? The team hasn't fully disclosed the tech, but the visuals look very modern and polished.