The Best Mechanics New Soulslikes Have Introduced

Key Takeaways

Developers of Soulslike games aren’t just copying each other. A lot of them focus on adding inventive mechanics to their games to separate them from the rest of the pack.
Games like The Surge integrate targeted looting, enhancing combat complexity by offering choices for quick kills or better loot.
Deathbound has another unique system example where players are controlling multiple characters in one body.

As a seasoned veteran of the Soulsborne and Soulslike genre, I must say that these games have become a staple in my gaming diet. From the original Lords of the Fallen back in 2014 to the more recent Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn in 2024, each title has brought something unique and captivating to the table.

It’s become apparent these days that many people can identify a Soulslike game by its features: respawning enemies at checkpoints, limited healing resources, losing experience points or currency upon death, and intense boss battles. Yet, it’s important to note that not every game falling under the Soulslike label is merely a duplicate of the Dark Souls series or other renowned FromSoftware titles.

In essence, many modern Soulslikes introduce fresh mechanisms and gameplay systems, expanding upon the foundation of this genre. Today, we’ll delve into those innovative and imaginative elements that developers incorporate into their Soulslikes, contributing significantly to the lasting impression these games leave on players.

8 Focus Points

Black Myth: Wukong

The Best Mechanics New Soulslikes Have Introduced

Kick things off by discussing (at the moment of composing this) the most recent AAA Soulslike release, Black Myth: Wukong. Although some may debate whether it truly falls under the Soulslike category, let’s set aside that discussion for another time. Instead, let’s delve into one of the standout gameplay innovations introduced by Black Myth: Wukong within this particular sub-genre of games – the Focus Point system.

Linking powerful strikes to a resource that players accrue during combat by striking enemies and skillfully dodging attacks is an excellent concept. Moreover, increasing the range and potency of these heavy attacks based on the number of Focus Points utilized for the attack is a clever way to incentivize players to grasp and perfect the classic ‘player vs formidable’ boss combat system found in Wukong. Although Focus Points might not be suitable for every Soulslike game, there are numerous titles where this system could thrive, and we look forward to witnessing how future games expand upon it or reimagine it.

7 Weapon Combinations

Lies of P

The game “Lies of P” has been exceptionally well-crafted within the Soulslike category of video games. For many players, this is their preferred title in the subgenre, excluding any productions by From Software. This preference stems from the meticulously refined aspects such as the Perfect Guard system and Staggering system found in “Lies of P”. However, it should be noted that these mechanisms aren’t entirely novel to the Soulslike genre.>

In a fresh twist for the Soulslike genre beyond its rich lore, this game introduces the Weapon Crafting system. Players can customize their weapons by combining any blade with any handle to generate unique weapons, each possessing blended attack sets and Fable Skills. Although some combinations may seem overpowered compared to others, the design of this system is meticulous and we eagerly anticipate its reappearance in future Soulslike games.

6 Weapon Stances

Nioh & Nioh 2

In a unique twist, the Nioh series wasn’t pioneering when it came to incorporating various combat stances for weapons, yet it was the first to significantly popularize this concept within the Souls-like genre and effectively execute it within its distinctive gameplay style.

Instead of each weapon having a single playstyle, varying stances for each weapon allows players to tailor their gameplay experience uniquely, making every playthrough feel personalized and unique. Moreover, the integration of features like Ki Pulses, Guardian Spirits, and additional systems in these games creates an overall polished and deep gaming experience.

5 Targeted Attacks & Loot

The Surge 1 & 2

In both “The Surge” series, a feature was skillfully blended that Souls game enthusiasts had long speculated about – targeted looting – if From Software were to create a futuristic version of the Souls games. To elaborate, in “The Surge” games, players can strategically aim to sever specific armored limbs of their foes, with the goal of dismembering them and acquiring the exoskeletal components for personal use.

In this fashion, players are frequently faced with the dilemma of whether to strike vulnerable spots to eliminate foes more swiftly or aim for armored areas that could yield fresh loot and possibly fortify their character over time, thereby introducing an additional layer of intricacy to the already sophisticated Soulslike battle mechanics.

4 Gun Combat & Separate Modes

Remnant: From the Ashes & Remnant 2

The “Remnant” series, encompassing “Remnant: From the Ashes” and its sequel “Remnant 2”, significantly expand the Soulslike sub-genre in innovative ways. Firstly, these games stand out by incorporating multiplayer-centric gunplay into a Soulslike setting – an unexpected yet effective blend. Secondly, they introduce a distinctive and original core gameplay mechanism called re-rolling system.

In essence, players can switch between three distinct playstyles – Campaign Mode, Adventure Mode, and Survival Mode (or Boss Rush Mode in Remnant 2) – within the shared hub of both games. While progress in each mode is independent, they all involve the same character and setting. This setup lets players retry their Adventure Mode endlessly without impacting their Campaign Mode advancements, and vice versa. This design choice makes farming an abundance of items in Remnant: From the Ashes and Remnant 2 more manageable compared to most Soulslike games, demonstrating the clever core design by the developers at Gunfire Games.

3 Roguelike Mode & Modifiers

Lords of the Fallen (2023)

In 2014, the first release of “Lords of the Fallen” earned the symbolic title of ‘the initial Soulslike game not developed by From Software’. Regardless of its imperfections, this accolade remains uncontested. As for its sequel, launched in October 2023, it too encountered problems, but it significantly surpassed the original in terms of fundamental design and creativity.

Additionally, the creators at Hexworks not only fixed bugs and improved the game over its lifetime, but they also introduced new features such as a roguelike mode. This addition, which is something many Soulslike games could greatly benefit from, significantly expands the game’s content without adding too much in terms of grand changes.

2 Open World & Unique Combat Mechanics

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn

In 2024, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn was another game that emerged in the Soulslike genre, yet it often fails to receive the recognition it deserves. While its inspiration from the Souls series and other Soulslikes is evident, this game also pushes boundaries within the sub-genre, attempting a variety of daring new ideas.

In essence, the game shares many traits with open-world Ubisoft titles, as players traverse a vast world filled with new destinations for fast travel, side quests, and shopping venues offering cosmetic items. Distinctively, Flintlock introduces original elements to the combat system of Soulslike games through its handling of Black Powder Charges, Enki’s combat mechanics, among other features. Its gameplay leans toward defense, empowering players to inflict massive damage on enemies when they seize suitable opportunities and skillfully parry or counter their attacks.

1 Multiple Playable Characters At The Same Time

Deathbound

Lastly, let’s delve into the topic of Deathbound, another indie Soulslike game. Similar to Flintlock, this game ventures into numerous daring concepts. Despite some flaws that make it a bit challenging to play and which are quite apparent, there’s also much about it that functions effectively. Fortunately, the game’s standout feature – the multiple characters inhabiting a single body – performs fairly well.

In the game Deathbound, players guide four distinct souls coexisting within a single body. During combat, the player can swiftly switch between these characters, even in the middle of an attack or dodge, to fully leverage their unique abilities and skills. This innovative concept proves effective in gameplay, and many fans of Souls-like games might argue that similar systems should be incorporated or further developed in future iterations of the genre.

2024-09-30 14:34