Soulslike Games Worth Playing Just For Their Exploration

Highlights

Lords of the Fallen 2023 offers unique exploration by switching between realms for hidden areas and bosses.
Blasphemous 2 ties main traversal to weapons, revealing secrets and cherubs for better combat.
Elden Ring’s massive realm, Legacy Dungeons, and underground cities promise endless exploration.

As a seasoned gamer who’s navigated through countless digital landscapes, I can confidently say that each of these games offers an unparalleled exploration experience, immersing players in intricate worlds teeming with secrets and challenges.

The original Dark Souls trilogy presented an ominous dark fantasy world rich with secrets and menace. As more and more developers have taken inspiration from these iconic games, players have had more grim, monster-infested worlds to explore.

While soulslikes are mostly known for their imposing boss fights, their worlds and settings have much to offer as well. These games often have excellent environmental storytelling, as well as secret dungeons and bosses that reward an inquisitive traveller. Here are ten of the best exploration experiences a player can have in the soulslike genre.

10 Lords of the Fallen

Between Two Worlds

In the vein of its predecessor, Lords of the Fallen stands as a dedicated souls-like game that draws substantial influence from the initial Dark Souls series. The upcoming 2023 release, however, offers a distinctive twist: it unfolds across two realms concurrently. To vanquish the dark deity Adyr, the protagonist embarks on a journey between the worlds of life and death.

Venturing into different realms during your travel offers exciting opportunities for discovery. Similar to other challenging action-RPGs, Lords of the Fallen incorporates multiple optional locations and enemies. As you transit between dimensions, it’s important to stay alert.

9 Lies of P

Prowling The Streets Of Krat

The bizarre premise of Lies of P has given way to a surprisingly excellent soulslike with a rich setting and lore. The fallen city of Krat has many surprises in store for the intrepid puppet.

As a gamer, I can’t help but notice the clear impact of Bloodborne in my current adventure. This game feels strikingly similar to From Software’s legendary gothic journey, and it’s no surprise once you step into the gloomy, ruined streets of Krat. Just like in soulslikes, I spend a lot of time uncovering secrets and twists by treading cautiously through the robot-filled roads and dilapidated structures of this forlorn city.

8 Dark Souls 2

A Surreal Sojourn

The Dark Souls trilogy has consistently played with notions of space and time in unusual ways. Already evident in the initial game, time seemed fragmented, allowing warriors from different eras to converge. Dark Souls II expands upon this concept by introducing the dreamlike realm of Drangleic.

In Dark Souls 2, the game locations don’t follow a logical sequence. For example, you could ride an elevator from the summit of a tower and end up on the ground floor of a castle surrounded by lava. This unconventional layout makes exploration feel more spontaneous and uncertain. Since players can’t always predict what they’ll stumble upon at each turn, there’s an eerie, dream-like atmosphere to the game world, and the player’s journey through it remains consistently surprising.

7 Blasphemous 2

Taking On The Miracle

In “Blasphemous 2,” the gameplay deviates from traditional metroidvania style by linking many exploration mechanics to the player’s collection of weapons. Acquiring a fresh sword not only enhances combat abilities but also grants The Penitent One access to new locations and hidden mysteries.

Exploring every nook and cranny of the universe in Blasphemous 2 promises a wealth of hidden treasures. Keep your eyes peeled for concealed cherubs, enigmatic figures resembling nuns, and potent new enchantments and altars to boost the combat skills of The Penitent One. To uncover the game’s genuine finale, players should scrutinize their surroundings carefully.

6 Dark Souls 3

Plumbing The Ruins

In comparison to other games in the series, the world of Dark Souls 3 is unusually grim. This installment marks the complete end of the Age of Fire, leading to the disintegration of the eternal cycle that has linked the trilogy. The remnants of ruins and palaces from throughout the trilogy are crumbling and shattering together in a grand and poignant spectacle.

The desolate realm of Dark Souls 3 abounds in hidden mysteries and sorrows for the adventurer to discover. Patient explorers who delve into every hidden corner may stumble upon startling revelations, such as the remnants of ancient demon ruins from the initial game, now entombed and littered with charred demon carcasses. Dark Souls 3 serves as a fitting farewell to this renowned series, brimming with callbacks and treasures for fans to uncover.

5 Hollow Knight

Harvesting Hallownest

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at the extraordinary blend of Soulslike tropes and Metroidvania formulas in the captivating game known as Hollow Knight. It’s no surprise that this intricate combination echoes throughout the game, with its rich narrative heavily centered on the thrill of exploration. This enthralling adventure unfolds within a realm inhabited by insects, where a hidden and enigmatic network of ancient ruins lurks beneath a humble village, drawing in curious explorers and treasure-seeking excavators alike, lured by the promise of long-forgotten relics.

In the game of Hollow Knight, the player’s character embarks on a journey to the dilapidated ruins of Hallownest. Although each player has unique motives for their visit, discovering new areas is a central aspect of the gameplay. Nested within these ancient walls and tricky maze-like pathways are hidden rewards such as secret enhancements and collectibles. Due to the high level of challenge presented by the game’s bosses, it’s essential for players to seek out any advantage they can find in their quest for survival.

4 Bloodborne

The Secrets of Yharnam

In Bloodborne, set on grim, blood-stained streets reminiscent of a gothic setting, From Software has masterfully crafted their signature cosmic horror soulslike game. Similar to other games in this genre, Yharnam is intricately connected, with cunning maneuvers and shortcuts guiding players back towards the city’s core. Smart navigation will prevent anyone from feeling lost.

As the darkness deepens in Yharnam, the chaos intensifies, falling squarely on the shoulders of the player to unearth the reason for this rampant madness. Through thorough investigation, a diligent hunter will uncover the truth behind Yharnam’s downfall and prepare themselves to face the enigmatic forces lurking in the shadows.

3 Dark Souls

Linking Anor Londo

In the realm of renowned video games, Dark Souls transported gamers to the majestic domain of Lordran, a once-resplendent kingdom now battling an onslaught of the undead plague. What truly set Dark Souls apart as a timeless masterpiece was its ingenious map layout. Lordran is a seamlessly connected universe that players can comprehensively explore from one extreme to another, revealing every hidden corner and secret path.

By thoroughly exploring every part of the video game, players will uncover hidden shortcuts and various routes that offer a comprehensive view of the entire game world. Fast travel functionality isn’t available until midway through the game, and it can only be used at specific checkpoints known as bonfires. Therefore, understanding the intricate connections within the game world is crucial for determining where to go next.

2 Ashen

Searching For Home

In my gaming adventures, I’ve found myself lost in the world of Ashen – a unique take on the soulslike genre. Unlike the intricate, grandiose settings of Dark Souls, Ashen offers a refreshing cel-shaded art style that gives it a distinctive charm. Yet, don’t let its simplicity fool you; this game is still brimming with hidden gems and mysteries waiting to be uncovered as I journey in search of a place to call home.

In this game, the multiplayer setup is largely unstructured, so you might encounter other players randomly during your explorations. These unexpected meetings can spark fresh interactions, all driven by the decisions of the players themselves. This interactive multiplayer system adds depth to an already captivating world filled with dungeons and caves brimming with adventure possibilities.

1 Elden Ring

Charting the Lands Between

In the vast world of Elden Ring I’ve stumbled upon, there aren’t many games that can rival the sheer abundance of mysteries waiting to be uncovered. The sprawling Land Between is jam-packed with hidden gems, and wherever I venture across the map, new discoveries are always just around the corner.

In Elden Ring, the expansiveness of the Lands Between is merely a fraction of its overall grandeur. Beneath the surface lies an intricate system of subterranean cities that hide untold secrets yet to be uncovered. Notably, the latest DLC expansion offers another gigantic region for gamers to delve into. It’s quite possible to spend hundreds upon hours within this sprawling soulslike game and still not discover all its hidden treasures.

2024-08-17 16:34