8 Soulslike Games With The Best Shortcuts

Key Takeaways

Soulslikes offer class variety and challenging bosses, such as Thymesia, with unique plague combat and decent shortcuts.
Salt and Sanctuary boasts a complete skill tree and multi-boss battles inside a ship setting, blending well with its 2D art style.
Blasphemous provides action-packed gameplay inspired by the Spanish Inquisition, vast maps with shortcuts, and appeals to players fond of beautiful pixel art.

As a seasoned gamer and a connoisseur of the Soulsborne genre, I can confidently say that Elden Ring has undeniably become FromSoftware’s ultimate masterpiece. With its vast open-world setting, diverse weapons, formidable bosses, and intricate armor sets, it has managed to elevate the Soulslike experience to new heights.

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but be captivated by the allure of “Souls-like” games, a genre brimming with endless possibilities, sprawling landscapes drenched in diverse themes, and a tough-as-nails challenge that can sometimes feel like a rollercoaster ride between frustration and triumph. Though not every Souls-like game matches the sheer difficulty of “Dark Souls,” many still carry on the legacy of other elements that have solidified FromSoftware’s masterpiece as an everlasting classic in gaming history.

In Souls-like games, players often come up against ruthless bosses who may cause them to perish multiple times, forcing them to resume their adventure from the last saved point. Although certain challenging bosses can be bypassed, others are compulsory and require players to travel significant distances to confront them repeatedly – unless they stumble upon a shortcut. Here’s a list of some top Souls-like games that boast effective shortcuts.

8 Thymesia

The Plague Weapon System Truly Shines

Interesting concept for combat where disease is the weapon
Players will have to lead Corvus to uncover the mysteries of the world in question

In Thymesia, players will embark on an adventure through a kingdom overrun by monsters, with the ultimate goal of saving it. Similar to other Soulslikes, Thymesia boasts a gloomy setting that perfectly complements its overall aesthetic and the developer’s aim to portray a hopeless world shrouded in darkness.

In terms of scary Soulslike games, Thymesia isn’t the most terrifying, but it offers a unique twist in combat by enabling Corvus to commandeer the illness afflicting the world. Although it may not boast as many shortcuts as other Soulslikes, it does include a reasonable number of them.

7 Salt And Sanctuary

A Great Title With A Unique And Complete Skill Tree

Massive and complete skill tree
Players will find themselves inside a ship at the beginning of the game

Salt and Sanctuary isn’t just a Soulslike game boasting an extensive class system; it also showcases a captivating 2D visual style that seamlessly complements its theme. The story begins with your character aboard a ship, accompanied by a Princess, but the vessel is tragically assaulted by raiders before reaching its destination.

In the game Salt and Sanctuary, if players possess sufficient skills, they could potentially fend off the Marauders. Regrettably, even in such cases, a more formidable danger looms, one that will eventually lead to the ship’s destruction. The skill tree in this Soulslike game is remarkably comprehensive, and the multi-boss battles, combined with the strategic map shortcuts, introduce an engaging level of complexity to the gameplay.

6 Blasphemous

An Action-Packed Title With Strong Spanish Inquisition Influences

Beautiful 16-bit art style
The Penitent One has many tricks up his sleeve in terms of combat

Remarkable is the kind of game that appears rarely, about every few years. It boasts extraordinary and tough battles against bosses, a captivating pixel art aesthetic, and a general theme centered on fanatical religious beliefs and unwavering devotion to a higher power.

As players progress through the game, they’ll navigate intricate levels brimming with adversaries intent on tripping them up or luring them into hazards and pitfalls. The expansive and labyrinthine Blasphemous map is a challenge to traverse, making shortcuts convenient, and sometimes even teleportation options useful. The upcoming sequel, Blasphemous 2, expands upon the original with an array of novel weapons, enhanced exploration mechanics, and an increased focus on innovative area design.

5 Bloodborne

FromSoftware’s Ultimate Nightmare Title

Arguably the scariest FromSoftware title to date
Fast-paced action and challenging bosses

In contrast to the ominous creatures and bleak settings found in the Dark Souls series, the game Bloodborne presents an even more terrifying landscape for those brave enough to play it. The game is set within the nightmarish city of Yharnam, which has been gradually overcome by a blood-transmitted disease that has caused its residents to morph into monstrous forms.

As a gamer venturing through the haunting world of Bloodborne, I’ve found shortcuts similar to those in other FromSoftware games to be a lifesaver – they let me bypass the grueling journey back to formidable bosses that have claimed my life. Yet, even with every shortcut unearthed, there are still harrowing creatures lurking around every corner, ready to give me a chill down my spine.

4 Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

A Fast-paced Title That’s Arguably The Hardest FromSoftware Release Yet

Set in a fictitious version of feudal Japan
Players can move from one point of the map to another with ease with the game’s fluid movement system

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice stands out not just for its compelling concept and exceptional gameplay, but also because it’s based in Japan, the native land of its creators FromSoftware. By choosing their homeland as the setting, the developers have skillfully crafted an experience that mirrors the feel and playstyle of their Dark Souls series, while also showcasing the aesthetic charm of feudal Japan.

In this game, the movement system is possibly one of the smoothest in any FromSoftware title, since it lets players effortlessly swing between points and quickly reach hard-to-reach spots. Yet, even with such a travel system, having convenient shortcuts to quickly return to the tough bosses found in “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice” is still appreciated.

3 Hollow Knight

A Captivating Journey In A Dreamlike World

The Hallownest is full of enemies to defeat
Beautiful art style that works extremely well with the game’s concept

At first sight, one might doubt if Hollow Knight truly measures up to a Soulslike game, given its 2D visual style. It seems unlikely for such a game to offer players a challenge comparable to the Dark Souls series. But as soon as gamers delve into the mystical realm of Hallownest, they will soon realize that the challenge is real and that they’ll be tested more than once throughout their journey.

In the game Hollow Knight, you’ll find a massive world teeming with challenging foes, tough bosses, and eerie locations such as Deepnest, which might send shivers down your spine and test your spatial awareness. This game offers shortcuts not just by exploring, but also by acquiring various skills that enable their use.

2 The Surge 2

An Adrenaline-rushing Experience With Exciting Combat Mechanics

Set in a dystopian future where humanity has exhausted the Earth’s resources
Fast-paced action and combat

In The Surge 2, players are thrust into a chilling yet plausible vision of mankind’s future. The game unfolds in a post-apocalyptic world where all resources have been depleted, leaving humanity teetering on the edge of extinction. This dire situation leads to a multitude of troubles within society and politics.

Similar to other games in the Soulslike genre, The Surge 2 offers several shortcuts for players to discover while exploring the game’s environment and advancing their character. These shortcuts facilitate smoother navigation and can save valuable time during crucial stages of the gameplay experience.

1 Elden Ring

FromSoftware’s Ultimate Masterpiece

Outstanding Fast Travel system
Large variety of weapons, bosses and armor sets

Over the past decade, games from FromSoftware have received numerous critical accolades. Yet, none of them have garnered the level of success and popularity that Elden Ring has achieved since its debut. Sharing gameplay mechanics akin to other titles from this developer, Elden Ring introduces an expansive open-world environment where players are free to traverse and explore various regions in almost any sequence they prefer.

In addition to its diverse array of weapons, incredibly potent bosses, and impressive armor set, the game is truly a work of art. Although you don’t necessarily need to unlock every shortcut to navigate The Lands Between smoothly, having as many as possible (or at least most) still offers an advantage – even with an already efficient Fast Travel system available.

2024-11-28 05:34