9 Soulslike Games That Are Perfect For Short Play Sessions

Summary

Soulslike games offer lengthy, challenging experiences, like Elden Ring’s 50-100 hour playthroughs.
Thymesia offers a condensed experience with fast-paced combat and short play sessions.
Titan Souls provides a bite-sized challenge with pure boss battles, perfect for quick, satisfying gameplay.

Games that emulate the ‘Soulslike’ genre are renowned for their challenging gameplay and intricately designed environments. Titles such as Elden Ring often demand around 50 to 100 hours of gameplay per playthrough, offering players an almost unlimited opportunity to revisit and explore.

Sometimes, these expansive game worlds with extended playtimes might seem overwhelming, time-consuming, and challenging for players who have limited time, say an hour or two. Luckily, there are numerous Soulslike games available that deliver shorter, more manageable gaming sessions. These titles offer the same thrill of defeating a final boss, but in a more compact format, making it easier to start and sometimes finish in one go.

9. Thymesia

Short And Sweet

In simpler terms, the game Thymesia offers intense, engaging battles with impressive visuals and audio effects. It combines many top features from popular Soulslikes and sets them in a dark, medieval environment teeming with formidable knights and grotesque adversaries. The unique selling point is the plague weapons, allowing players to seize foes’ weapons and employ them inventively against their enemies in exciting manners.

Once Corvus vanquishes a major foe, he finds himself back at a central spot offering various destinations and tasks, such as engaging in the next significant fight or revisiting previous areas to boost his strength. Since the game is divided into stage-like segments, gaming sessions can be brief and easily resumed, and although it only requires about seven hours to finish, it’s rich in atmosphere and discovery.

8. Death’s Door

Become The Reaper

In various forms, Soulslikes can be found, and in this instance, Death’s Door is reimagined as a delightful, isometric adaptation of the genre. As collectors of souls, players navigate through mountains, lakes, and even limbo itself, vanquishing boss battles that require puzzle-solving skills, armed with an assortment of magical and melee weapons.

Discovering new territories offers an instinctive and satisfying experience, where each zone introduces distinct foes to confront and paths to traverse. These journeys not only enhance your abilities by unlocking new skills but also advance the narrative. Additionally, you can leave whenever it suits you, making the gameplay flexible.

The diversity in combat is remarkable, as each boss presents unique attack patterns that require strategic mastery. The movement mechanics are smooth and reactive, acknowledging skillful maneuvers while penalizing careless ones.

7. Blasphemous

Gorgeous Yet Gruesome

In the realm of video games, Metroidvania-style adventures and Soulslike challenges often complement each other quite well. The game “Blasphemous” is a strong candidate that could easily rank among the finest examples in both categories. This title immerses players in a world richly influenced by Spanish architecture and religious symbolism, while its intense combat action rivals that of “Bloodborne.” It’s an engaging experience that truly shines when played over multiple gaming sessions.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, the twisting paths, the vast array of skills to master, and the diverse loot options really put the control in my hands when it comes to shaping my gaming journey. Now, let me tell you, Blasphemous isn’t for the faint-hearted – it sets the bar sky-high! And trust me, the sequel takes the entire experience and propels it to even greater heights.

6. Another Crab’s Treasure

Underwater Warfare

In the realm of Soulslikes, an up-and-coming developer named Aggro Crab introduced an extraordinary, unique title aptly titled “Another Crab’s Treasure“. This game humorously and thoughtfully narrates the tale of a crustacean bereft of his shell. Despite some challenging adversaries, you rarely need more than a few attempts to advance. What’s more, each time you launch the game, it’s always straightforward to resume from your previous position.

In this rephrased version, I’ve tried to convey the original meaning in a more natural and easy-to-read manner:

The main event is a battle between shells, alternating between defensive gear and discarded balls for extra mobility. When a new shell appears, there’s an instant burst of excitement because it means either leveling up or a comical moment that never fails to amuse.

5. Nioh

Supernatural Samurais

In my gaming journey, I discovered that before Elden Ring graced our screens, there was Sekiro, and prior to that, Nioh. These captivating Soulslike games from Japan offered a unique blend of combat and exploration. They were set in level-based gameplay arenas, making the length of playtime span from prolonged boss battles to gradual progress in shorter side missions. Although finishing the game might take a considerable amount of time, each gaming session could be condensed into one or two twenty-minute missions, ensuring an efficient experience when necessary.

The selection of weapons in the Arsenal is extensive, enabling players to quickly change between different types of weapons and combat positions as needed. As they progress, their strength continuously increases, preparing them for battles against formidable Yokai.

4. Titan Souls

Brutal Boss Rush Battles

The game that paved the way for its follow-up, Death’s Door, is Titan Souls. It shares the same essential features but presents them in a less complex and more compact fashion. Unlike other games, it doesn’t offer upgrades or level-ups; instead, it delivers raw dodge-based boss fights from start to finish.

As a fervent enthusiast of gaming, I must confess that while other titles boast expansive depth and enduring gameplay, Titan Souls stands out by delivering an immersive experience even within a brief playthrough. It’s like a perfect remedy for those craving the thrill of the Soulslikes from the get-go.

3. FlyKnight

A Bug’s Life Gone Medieval

In a refreshing throwback, FlyKnight offers a strategic dungeon exploration experience that won’t consume your entire life. Crawling insects such as bugs and beetles inhabit these pathways, and the choice between amputating an arm or a head significantly influences the enemy’s response and attack style.

Instead of continually engaging in conflict, how about taking a relaxing detour for some fishing? Once refreshed, you’ll encounter formidable foes who are swift and strong, compelling your team to unite and strategize to defeat them. Overcoming these bosses will grant you potent rewards that will undoubtedly aid you throughout the rest of your journey.

2. Nine Sols

Sekiro Deflection Perfection

In a simple and engaging manner: Nine Sols has set a new benchmark that stands alongside gaming greats such as Hollow Knight. The deflect mechanics in this game are exceptionally rewarding when executed skillfully, and Nine Sols not only delivers on this aspect but amplifies the sense of accomplishment with every successful block, parry, and kill, releasing a burst of dopamine each time.

As a dedicated player, immerse yourself in the captivating ‘TaoPunk’ aesthetic and a vibrant world teeming with expressive and heartwarming NPCs who breathe life into their surroundings through engaging dialogues and interactions. The game offers an enjoyable experience that doesn’t demand significant time commitment, making it perfect for casual gaming sessions. With numerous save points scattered throughout and easy navigation, exploration is rewarded without encountering obstacles that might halt the narrative’s progression.

1. Remnant: From The Ashes

Dark Souls Meets Guns

If Bloodborne offered a tentative introduction to Soulslike shooting mechanics, then Remnant: From the Ashes represents a complete immersion. The game generates worlds procedurally, ensuring a unique adventure for every playthrough, and as the player grows stronger, acquiring loot becomes increasingly crucial to overcome the progressively tougher bosses in each world.

The game provides an option for cooperative multiplayer involving up to two additional players, yet playing alone is sufficient for character advancement and discovering new armor and enhancements, or if the player is prepared for the next major story event. Dividing the game into segments and levels ensures that each gaming session results in some progress, but leaves players eager for more.

2025-02-25 08:14