Enotria Shows Soulslikes Are Continuing to Move Away From Genre Staples

Enotria Shows Soulslikes Are Continuing to Move Away From Genre Staples

As a seasoned gamer who’s been through the trials and tribulations of countless Soulslikes, I can confidently say that Enotria: The Last Song is a breath of fresh air in this grim genre. While it undeniably pays homage to Dark Souls, it dares to tread new paths, much like a wandering adventurer venturing off the beaten path.


Reflecting on the 2011 launch of Dark Souls, it’s astonishing how successful the game was given its rough edges and challenging nature. The movement is a bit clunky, the storyline and goals can be confusing at times, and the game seems intent on making life difficult for the player at every turn. Remarkably, these very aspects contributed to Dark Souls‘ lasting impact, inspiring numerous games in its wake. The latest addition to this genre is Jyamma Games’ Enotria: The Last Song. Although it shares many traits with other contemporary titles, Enotria carves out a unique niche for itself in several key aspects.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but acknowledge the significant influence that the original Dark Souls has had on Enotria: The Last Song. Yet, it doesn’t just stop at emulating the style of games from the FromSoftware catalog. It pushes boundaries by blending familiar elements akin to Lies of P, and venturing off on its own like Lords of the Fallen. This creative blend allows it to carve out its unique identity in a growing sea of Soulslikes. By taking the essence of a timeless classic and infusing it with contemporary ideas, these games demonstrate that the genre is continuously expanding upon FromSoftware’s blueprint, which was first introduced approximately 15 years ago.

Enotria’s Complete Lack of Multiplayer Is a Double-Edged Sword

Enotria Shows Soulslikes Are Continuing to Move Away From Genre Staples

In Soulslike games, the settings are usually grim and lonely, enhancing the genre’s eerie ambiance. However, even in these solitary environments, multiplayer has remained a crucial aspect. For instance, Dark Souls enhanced the Player versus Environment (PvE) and Player versus Player (PvP) multiplayer elements that were initially presented in Demon’s Souls. Since then, most Soulslikes have incorporated cooperative play against tough bosses or PvP modes for players to engage in battles, but not all do. Notably, games like Enotria stick to being single-player experiences, demonstrating that Soulslikes can still be fulfilling without multiplayer options.

Jyamma Games’ debut game finds itself in the company of notable titles such as Sekiro, Lies of P, and Respawn’s Star Wars Jedi games, all providing top-notch single-player gaming experiences without requiring multiplayer. However, one can’t help but wonder how much more engaging this game could have been with a cooperative Player vs Environment (PvE) mode, particularly when it comes to some of its tougher boss fights. Although the success or failure of Soulslike games doesn’t hinge solely on their multiplayer features, adding one is generally considered a positive rather than a mistake by most players.

Enotria and Other Modern Soulslikes Raise the Question Of How the Genre Could Evolve

In contrast to the familiar Soulslike gameplay aspects players have grown accustomed to, contemporary non-FromSoftware games are consistently demonstrating that there is potential for growth within this genre. For instance, the game Enotria presents various features that depart from typical Soulslike expectations, such as its vibrant and picturesque environment, diverse character builds, absence of an equipment deterioration system, and omission of stealth mechanics. This trend is not unique to Enotria, as other notable games like Lies of P, Lords of the Fallen, and Remnant 2 are also pushing boundaries by staying true to FromSoftware’s blueprint while still fostering innovation.

About 15 years ago, the concept of a game such as Demon’s Souls or Dark Souls incorporating third-person shooter elements may have seemed unthinkable. However, Gunfire Games has shown not just once but twice that this combination is appealing to players and keeps them coming back with the Remnant series. Lords of the Fallen successfully integrated the dual-world traversal mechanic from Legacy of Kain into a Soulslike game, which was well received by its Umbral Realm feature. Similarly, Enotria dares to deviate slightly from the traditional Soulslike formula, and these calculated risks have resonated with players, providing room for future games to push the boundaries of innovation in unexpected ways.

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2024-09-25 22:34