The Best Dungeons In Soulslike Games

Highlights

Anor Londo is a legendary challenge, full of extreme tests and iconic battles like Ornstein and Smough.
Dive into the sinister Cathedral of the Deep, corrupted and infested with twisted clergy and monsters.
Brume Tower in
Dark Souls 2
requires tactics and clever thinking to navigate the intricate machinery and face the tough Fume Knight boss.

As a seasoned Soulsborne veteran, I’ve battled my fair share of skeletons and traversed countless dark dungeons. Among these, the Catacombs of Carthus from Dark Souls 3 truly stands out. The relentless onslaught of those bony boys and their sinister mage handlers is a memory that still gives me a shiver down my spine. And let’s not forget the unforgettable encounter with the massive ball of skeletons, a sight I can’t unsee even after all these years!

The Dark Souls trilogy and its related games stand apart from other action RPGs in numerous ways, yet they share a characteristic with conventional fantasy games: they feature dungeons. These massive buildings are filled with challenges, pitfalls, and rewards for brave adventurers. Typically, you’ll encounter a boss battle at the culmination of each dungeon.

As a devoted fan, I must admit that the epic boss battles in the Soulslike series are truly unforgettable. However, the enchanting dungeons these games provide should not be overlooked. Here’s a list of ten extraordinary dungeons that the Soulslike genre has to offer.

10 Anor Londo (Dark Souls)

The Realm Of The Gods

In the early stages of “Dark Souls”, the majestic city of Anor Londo, once a powerful empire under Gwyn’s rule, becomes the primary objective for the player. Any player who has progressed that far would undoubtedly recall their thrilling approach, carried by the claws of mysterious demons, as the stunning, sun-kissed towers of this renowned city gradually come into view.

As a devoted gamer, I’ve come to realize that the towering spires of Anor Londo present some of the toughest trials this game has in store. Among these, the flying buttress challenge stands out as a formidable test. This is where players must navigate the heights of the central cathedral by scaling its walls, all while being pelted by enormous arrows from intimidating armored knights. Overcoming this hurdle opens up the chance to lay hands on Havel the Rock’s legendary armor, engage with the iconic duo Ornstein and Smough, and perhaps uncover the enigmatic secret that shrouds the entire city.

9 Cathedral Of The Deep (Dark Souls 3)

Where Corruption Itself Is Revered

The sinister and massive Cathedral of the Deep lurks near the Road of Sacrifices. As the name suggests, it is intricately connected with the Deep, a corruption of the grim Abyss that has been encroaching on the trilogy since before the very first game. This corruption is reflected all too well in the maggot men patrolling the grounds, the twisted and monstrous clergymen, and the fetid bog that has stagnated at the bottom of the Cathedral itself.

As I delve into the grandeur of this cathedral, I’m compelled to traverse its corridors, chapels, and even ascend to the church’s lofty rafters. The awe-inspiring magnitude of this house of worship is undeniable, and while the showdown against the Deacons of the Deep may seem relatively straightforward in comparison to other Soulslike encounters, their combat style remains a haunting echo of the eldritch power manipulating what was once a noble congregation.

8 Elphael, Brace Of The Haligtree (Elden Ring)

Miquella’s Broken Legacy

Tucked away to the northern extremes on the map of Elden Ring lies the enigmatic stronghold known as Haligtree. This hidden lair was crafted by Miquella in a fruitless endeavor to recreate the divine essence of the Erdtree. Despite its unhealthy condition, it serves as refuge and solace for Miquella’s devoted followers and troops. Elphael, the fortress at the tree’s root, teems with perilous devotees and potent Erdtree Avatars.

Nestled within the sprawling depths of a colossal tree folklore sings about, the labyrinthine dungeon stretches from its loftiest boughs to its deepest roots. It is here where players may encounter none other than the legendary figure, Malenia. Stricken by the scarlet blight, Miquella’s sister clings to her remaining strength, offering one of the most challenging boss encounters in this game, or any Soulslike title for that matter.

7 Brume Tower (Dark Souls 2)

Managing The Machinery

In terms of Soulslike DLC, Dark Souls 2 boasts some of the finest level designs available. The Crown of the Old Iron King expansion predominantly unfolds within Brume Tower, a colossal, dilapidated structure teeming with intricate machinery. Players are tasked with adjusting lifts, pulleys, levers, and gears to traverse this mechanical citadel.

To conquer Brume Tower completely, gamers need to revive this complex machinery and maneuver through some of the toughest foes the game has to offer along the way. The Old Iron King expansion demands strategy, quick reactions, and strategic thinking to advance, and it culminates in the Fume Knight, one of Dark Souls 2’s most challenging bosses.

6 Sen’s Fortress (Dark Souls)

A Serpentine Slaughterhouse

As I delve deeper into Sen’s Fortress, it’s hard not to draw parallels with the notorious Blighttown. This labyrinthine dungeon teems with snake-like creatures that can send you tumbling off ledges with a swift lightning strike. But that’s not all – every nook and cranny is packed with cunning traps: swinging blades, spike pits, dart traps, and a colossal rolling boulder are just waiting to catch the unaware gamer off guard. To top it off, this fortress is where the game’s first mimic lurks, adding another layer of danger to an already treacherous journey.

Sen’s Fortress can be harsh, yet its severity compels players to exercise caution as they navigate its ominous corridors. This labyrinth demands strategic thinking and quick reactions, and those who approach it thoughtfully will find themselves faced with one of the most captivating challenges within the game.

5 Drangleic Castle (Dark Souls 2)

The Center Of A Shattered Kingdom

Clearly indicated by its name, Drangleic Castle serves as the center of authority for the nation of Drangleic. However, King Vendrick forsake this stronghold as the affliction of Hollowing overtook his subjects. Before players can claim the throne themselves, they must track down King Vendrick and witness the devastation that once was his kingdom. Their initial visit to Drangleic Castle is bound to be an unforgettable experience.

In the heart of Drangleic Castle, I find myself surrounded by stone-carved adversaries and strange creatures that fill me with awe. Slaying a foe close to a stone golem triggers it to swallow the defeated’s spirit, awakening and unlocking doors across the realm. The halls of this castle are brimming with such cunning mechanisms, and I must tread cautiously when choosing where to strike an enemy down and which door to open, lest I inadvertently set off a chain reaction I’d rather avoid.

4 Mergo’s Loft (Bloodborne)

Ending The Nightmare

After understanding the terrifying truth enveloping Yharnam, players will have to surpass their current reality to face the horror head-on. This journey leads them to the Nightmare of Mensis and the Mergo’s Loft, an immense, distorted construction that defies logic. Inside this building, you’ll find monstrosities and warped humans, all driven insane by their contact with the ancient entities causing the nightmare. At the heart of it all is Micolash, head of the Mensis academy and the dream’s host, a madman who guides the hunter through the twisted corridors of his delirium.

To conquer this ominous tower completely, the player should climb up to the lunarium at its summit. There, the hidden Great One, Mergo, resides like an infant in its cradle, guarded by a spectral wet nurse. If players make certain choices, this eldritch creature, unseen but possibly the final boss, could be their challenge at the pinnacle of a deteriorating nightmare. This confrontation with an ancient deity atop a decaying horror seems a perfect climax to the hunter’s journey.

3 Catacombs Of Carthus (Dark Souls 3)

Digging Through The Dead

In the Dark Souls trilogy, skeletons are an omnipresent adversary that players often encounter. Known for their unexpected acrobatics and habitual resurgence, these classic fantasy opponents can be quite annoying yet endearing to many gamers. Among all levels, The Catacombs of Carthus in Dark Souls 3 might just be the ultimate skeleton-themed dungeon for aficionados of the undead.

These dark burial halls are full of skeletons, armed with a wide array of weaponry, spells, and startling leaps. One of the most memorable features of this dungeon is the massive ball of skeletons which constantly rumbles through the catacomb halls, crushing anyone and anything in its path. Guided by sinister skeleton mages, these balls will orient themselves to run down players, and they make for a truly unforgettable encounter.

2 Shadow Keep (Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree)

Messmer’s Massive Castle

The imposing Shadow Keep, much like the towering Scadutree, stands out prominently in the realm of Shadows. Venturing into this colossal citadel is every bit as exhilarating as one might expect from the growing sense of awe as it comes into view against the horizon. Shadow Keep serves as a gateway to numerous significant locations on the map, ensuring that players find themselves frequently revisiting this foreboding stronghold if they wish to fully explore the DLC’s offerings.

Without a doubt, one of the most striking features in Shadow Keep is the Specimen Chamber. This vast, maze-like room presents the game’s most fascinating creatures as taxidermied specimens, casually scattered and hung from above. The sterile and clinical atmosphere mirrors the detached perspective of the keep’s ruler, Messmer, a bitter and melancholic character who orchestrates some of the darkest events depicted in the game.

1 Research Hall (Bloodborne: The Old Hunters DLC)

The Truth About The Healing Church

In Bloodborne’s Old Hunters expansion, significant characters and groups from Yharnam are scrutinized, confining them within a distorted nightmare world that exposes their imperfections and failings. The Research Hall, in this twisted reality, embodies the gravest transgressions of the Healing Church. It ensnares innocent souls for gruesome experiments in an attempt to bridge the gap with the divine.

The dungeon stands as a colossal labyrinth of interminable research rooms, connected by a gigantic, rotating spiral staircase. To advance, gamers need to climb to the pinnacle of this structure and ascend to the ceiling, where they can manipulate an enormous contraption that elevates the staircase, thereby rearranging the dungeon’s layout entirely. Upon this adjustment, players can gain entry to the Living Failures, followed by confronting the renowned Lady Maria.

2024-08-04 05:44