As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that I’ve seen the evolution of gaming genres like no other. Amongst these transitions, the Soulslike genre has been one of the most intriguing and challenging to emerge in recent years.
Initiating the Souls-inspired game genre, “Demon Souls” not only sparked a trend but also reinvented the Role Playing Game (RPG) format. Numerous subsequent games embraced RPG elements like character development and stat improvement (occasionally through level grinding) to thrive in challenging combat scenarios.
As the number of Soulslike games multiplied, some developers started to depart from the conventional Role Playing Game (RPG) elements. While players can enhance specific abilities and weapons in a manner reminiscent of RPGs, it’s challenging to find a game that doesn’t incorporate this in some way or another. After all, power-ups have been a part of games since their inception. Here are some Soulslikes that deviate most from traditional RPG mechanics.
6 Blasphemous
Pixelated souls
In a distinctive, dark, and gothic aesthetic, the game Blasphemous delivers what fans would typically associate with Souls-like games. Yet, while it maintains the style and intense combat reminiscent of the genre, it also establishes its unique identity as an action-platformer, setting itself apart from its peers.
In the realm of action-platform games, players engage in battles where perfect timing is crucial to overcome adversaries and bosses. Every defeat serves as a learning experience, helping players figure out enemy movement patterns and master their timing. Unlike other Souls-like games, Blasphemous omits stat leveling and character build systems. Instead, it offers exploration reminiscent of Metroidvania games. As players progress, they discover new abilities that augment the fundamental combat mechanics and movement techniques.
5 Hollow Knight
Cute But Deadly
In the realm of Metroidvania and Soulslike genres, Hollow Knight has gained widespread popularity. This game invites players to delve into the intricate, maze-like world of Hallownest, where they uncover new skills and gain access to previously inaccessible zones. There, they encounter formidable foes and bosses that present a tough challenge.
Initially, the visually appealing 2D hand-drawn design might deceive players, but beneath its attractive exterior lies a game as tough as any in the Soulslike genre. Although there are elements reminiscent of Soulslike games, such as a somber, melancholic ambiance, combat requiring precision, and the acquisition and potential loss of Geo (the game’s analog for Souls currency), it chooses to swap RPG mechanics for Metroidvania elements instead.
4 Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Souls Without The Character Building
Instead of personalizing the look of your game character and progressing by choosing a class and enhancing stats through leveling, FromSoftware deviates from their typical approach to offer something unique in Sekiro. In this game, you control a specific character – a shinobi known as Wolf, who later receives the name Sekiro.
In contrast to the developer’s earlier “Souls” series, which had a more grounded feel, this new action game introduces mechanics like jumping and grapple hooks, setting it apart. Despite maintaining the intense combat, it discards many traditional RPG elements such as stat building. Instead, progression is achieved by learning skills and techniques. This makes the game arguably harder than “Dark Souls,” as success depends solely on mastering the intricate combat system, reacting quickly, and timing parries perfectly for a successful playthrough.
3 Sifu
Getting Older Every Time You Die
Often, games are likened to “Dark Souls” due to their challenging nature, sometimes jokingly so, with “Cuphead” being a prime example. However, being difficult or sharing a similar aesthetic isn’t enough to classify a game as a ‘Soulslike’. It requires more than that to fall under the Soulslike umbrella. Although it can be hard to find Soulslikes without some form of RPG elements, “Sifu” is one of the rarest examples of a game inspired by “Souls” that does not incorporate traditional RPG mechanics.
As a gamer, I find myself drawn to the exhilarating precision and timing-based combat of Sifu, where martial arts replace the familiar Soulslike setting. Akin to the Souls series, it introduces a challenging mechanic – losing currency upon death. However, this game adds an intriguing twist: instead of losing all my hard-earned resources, each demise results in my character aging. This intensifies the pressure, as there are no RPG elements like leveling up to fall back on.
2 Dead Cells
A Fusion Of Many Genres (Except RPG)
In Dead Cells, you experience a unique blend of elements from Roguelike, Metroidvania, and Soulslike genres, resulting in an engaging gameplay style filled with rapid-fire action, exploration, and combat sequences where you’ll be dodging, jumping, and utilizing special skills.
Instead of shedding currency or spirits upon death, everything is forfeited, much like in a Roguelike game. But the exploration feels more like a Metroidvania, while combat resembles Soulslike, demanding precision and pattern recognition. Given these aspects, there’s no space for RPG elements, meaning players won’t encounter leveling or stat development here.
1 Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order & Jedi: Survivor
Jedi Souls
The Star Wars Jedi Games are likely among the top and most thriving instances of an action-adventure game blending aspects of the Soulslike style. Drawing significantly from the Souls series, Jedi includes common features like forfeiting all earned points upon death, followed by tracking down the foe who outmatched the player to recover lost points. The fighting is also a tough blend of endurance control, with a standard emphasis on parrying and evading enemies to prevent severe harm.
In the game, meditation spots function similarly to campfires in Dark Souls, serving dual purposes as checkpoints and fast travel locations. At these points, your health is restored, and you can upgrade skills, but be aware that enemies will respawn upon use. While the game allows for some skill upgrades throughout, it doesn’t delve deeply into customization like a typical RPG. Instead, its progression style is more reminiscent of Metroidvania games. Players assume control of a pre-determined character, Cal Kestis, as opposed to creating their own.
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2024-10-04 15:34