As a seasoned Soulsborne veteran who has spent countless hours dodging, parrying, and chipping away at enemy health bars, I must say that the stagger mechanic is undoubtedly one of the most satisfying elements in these challenging games. It’s not just about wearing down an opponent; it’s about landing that perfect hit that leaves them open for a deathblow, turning the tide of battle in your favor.
As a dedicated gamer, soulslikes draw me into an endless loop of life-or-death battles, making me yearn for another round each time I fall. To keep these games feeling more alive and less like a grueling death march, mastering combat mechanics is crucial to tip the scale in my favor during clashes.
One of the most popular and satisfying mechanics to come from the genre is the stagger mechanic. This typically involves interrupting an enemy’s attack and leaving them off balance, effectively “staggering” the enemy, meaning they’ll be defenseless to the player’s following attacks and possibly allow more damage to be dealt. Each game in the genre has a different take on this mechanic.
6 Bloodborne
When All Else Fails, Just Shoot Them
In the elite tier of Souls-like games, Bloodborne shines, showcasing an exceptional stagger mechanic. The game’s battle system is swift and relentless, and the stagger mechanic doesn’t hinder its quick pace.
As a gamer, I find it can be quite the tactical advantage to pull out my trusty sidearm when a foe is about to strike. Timing a shot perfectly can leave them vulnerable for a follow-up attack with increased damage. It might seem simple, but remember, ammo isn’t infinite – so mastering enemy and boss patterns is crucial if I want to come out on top in this fight.
5 Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin
A Series With Historic Use of Stagger
For a considerable period in gaming, there’s been frequent use of a mechanism called staggering, which was initially employed to make fighters dizzy in games like Street Fighter 2, and later exploited for attacking weak spots in games such as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Final Fantasy 13 was one of the pioneers in employing modern stagger mechanics, implementing them concurrently with Demon’s Souls‘ release and its introduction to “staggering”. The series has consistently used stagger mechanics, as seen even in recent games like Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth. However, it’s only the game Stranger of Paradise that falls under the Soulslike genre.
In a thrilling modern take on the 1987 classic “Final Fantasy,” titled “Stranger of Paradise,”, the game introduces a “Break Gauge” for both the player character and enemies. To increase the tactical depth, various jobs and weapons impact different types of adversaries differently. Once this gauge is exhausted, either the enemy or the player will be staggered, opening them up to exhilarating finishing moves that create a seamless, fast-paced combat experience.
4 Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Master The Stagger And Die Less
In the creation of Sekiro, FromSoftware deviated slightly from its past Souls series. Unlike their earlier games, players can now jump and grapple-hook their way through levels; however, this doesn’t mean that the game is any less challenging. On the contrary, the combat might even be more brutal. To help gamers stand a fighting chance, the importance of staggering opponents has been emphasized to an unprecedented degree.
In the game Sekiro, you can make enemies stagger by using the “Posture” system, which works similarly to the Stamina bar in the Souls series. By skillfully parrying attacks and landing hits on your opponents, their posture will weaken. This makes them momentarily vulnerable, allowing you to deliver a fatal blow rather than just gradually depleting their health.
3 Mortal Shell
Stay Mortal Thanks To Your Shell
In the game Mortal Shell, an innovative approach to the combat mechanic known as stagger is presented. A significant aspect of gameplay involves the player character reinforcing their “body” during battles, enhancing defense and, when correctly timed, deflecting enemy attacks. This action leaves the adversary momentarily disoriented, offering opportunities for counterattacks.
The game offers various shells, each having unique skills and systems tailored for distinct gaming approaches. These unique shells are uncovered as you progress, but if you prefer a tougher experience, you can opt out of using a shell, engaging in a more difficult mode where your character can only endure one attack. In this case, you’ll need to rely solely on weapons to momentarily stun enemies instead.
2 The Surge 2
A Mechanical Stagger Mechanic
As a gamer, I find that while the Souls series and many of its imitators lean towards a grim, gothic fantasy aesthetic, The Surge series takes a different approach by swapping out medieval gear for sleek, futuristic Exo-Rigs. These Exo-Rigs, a staple in the game, are reminiscent of sci-fi exoskeletons like those found in Fallout’s Power Armor or Alien’s Power Loaders. The survival of players relies heavily on these upgradable rigs.
During the course of the game, you’ll face off against several types of opponents – they could be users of the Exo-Rig like yourself or out-of-control robots. By aiming for their limbs, players can disrupt specific attacks, causing them to stumble. This unique feature of targeting limbs introduces an additional strategic depth to the intense combat sequences.
1 Dark Souls 3
The Original Stagger Refined
Most games resembling Dark Souls that incorporate a stagger mechanism usually employ similar techniques, such as depleting a separate stamina bar instead of health, timing attacks correctly, or a combination of both. This concept is typically known as “poise”. In the case of Dark Souls 3, it refines and enhances the stagger system from earlier Souls games, while also providing smooth combat.
In this game, the stagger bar for enemies isn’t visible, but it regenerates if the player stops attacking. However, repeatedly hitting an enemy can break its defense, causing it to become staggered. This can shift the balance of a fight. The type of weapon you choose is crucial – heavier weapons like greatswords can cause stagger more quickly, but they’re slower. The choice between speed and power depends on your playing style and your character’s attributes.
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2024-10-04 12:33