The Best Soulslike Games That Incorporate Fantasy & Sci-Fi

Highlights

In Soulslike games, attack is the only defense, creating intense gameplay where players must fight fire with fire.
Many Soulslike games feature unique stories, blending fantasy and sci-fi elements for a fresh take on the genre.
From horror in space to alchemy and forbidden rituals, Soulslike games like Hellpoint bring innovative ideas to the table.

As a seasoned gamer with over three decades under my belt, I can confidently say that the line between fantasy and science fiction has become increasingly blurred in today’s gaming landscape. With the advent of Soulslikes, we have seen some truly captivating stories that seamlessly blend these two genres, creating a rich tapestry of imaginative worlds that push the boundaries of our collective imagination.

In recent times, it seems like there’s an abundance of games that resemble Souls series. Almost every week, we see a new game trying to add its unique twist to the genre. While many games fall short in offering something fresh, surprisingly, a similar or even greater number of them manage to deliver success.

Beyond these Soulslike games, many are distinctly original when it comes to storytelling. Some are set in fairy tale realms, others in distant futures, and a few resemble the world of Dark Souls in different ways. However, there aren’t numerous Soulslikes that successfully combine elements of fantasy and sci-fi within their worlds, or at least not many that do it effectively. With this thought in mind, let’s explore some outstanding games that have mastered this blend.

10 Hellpoint

Eldritch Horror Meets Space Horror

The Best Soulslike Games That Incorporate Fantasy & Sci-Fi

Kicking off our discussion is the game “Hellpoint,” which many believe masterfully combines two distinct genres – cosmic horror and eldritch horror. In this captivating title, you’ll find yourself immersed in an intricate world that seamlessly incorporates both cosmic and eldritch horror elements. The setting for this adventure is a colossal space station known as Irid Novo, which revolves around a gigantic black hole.

In summary, all of mankind inhabits a cosmic vessel, and through tampering with parts of the cosmos they shouldn’t have, humanity has largely lost their sanity, transforming into grotesque beings as their consciousness and physical forms fused with numerous counterparts from different timelines. This game presents a chilling multiversal horror narrative that is so intense it has attracted the interest of ancient entities within this universe – an innovative concept for a game that stands out from many others we’ve encountered recently.

9 Lies of P

Pinocchio & The Philosopher’s Stone

After that comes “Lies of P,” a more contemporary Soulslike game and a potential top contender in the Soulslike genre beyond From Software’s offerings. The narrative of “Lies of P” is essentially a retelling of the Pinocchio fairy tale, leaning more towards the darker, Grimm Brothers version rather than its original counterpart. Intricately woven within this tale is another story about alchemists seeking eternal life through puppetry, the philosopher’s stone, and numerous clandestine rituals.

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of video games, I must say that Bloodborne stands out as one of the most unsettling and intriguing experiences I’ve had in a game. At first glance, the game’s setting appears to be a terrifying landscape filled with grotesque monsters and decaying architecture – a clear indication that this is not going to be an easy ride.

8 Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn

Gods, Gunpowder, & More

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn – Currently, this is the latest Soulslike game available here. In this title, humanity finds itself backed into a corner due to hordes of the undead. These relentless foes make survival a grueling daily struggle. A group led by Nor and other ‘Sappers’ (essentially soldiers) aim to crush the gate through which these creatures emerge. Unfortunately, their efforts result in the destruction of a divine barrier, allowing the gods themselves to encroach upon their world.

Currently, a character named Nor and another minor god, Enki, are embarking on a mission to correct an error. During their journey, they meet various other gods. The science fiction elements in this game predominantly stem from the advanced technology present within it as well as the invention of black powder. On the other hand, the fantasy components are derived from the magical abilities these deities wield and can bestow upon others, including Nor himself.

7 Thymesia

A Nightmare of Plague & Medical Atrocities

Switching gears slightly to an under-the-radar Soulslike game, Thymesia, which offers an enjoyable gaming experience despite its lesser-known status. Compared to many other games in this genre, Thymesia‘s combat is remarkably swift and agile. It also pushes boundaries with its innovative mechanics and narrative. In the world of Thymesia, a devastating plague has struck, causing some of the afflicted to be banished or transform into monsters. However, through alchemy research, a cure is discovered.

As a seasoned gamer who has witnessed countless stories unfold across various virtual worlds, I must say that the narrative you’ve just described is quite unique, even by genre-bending standards. The blend of science fiction and fantasy elements in this game piques my curiosity like nothing else I’ve encountered before.

6 Remnant: From the Ashes & Remnant 2

Entire Realms of Sci-Fi & Fantasy Tropes

As a long-time fan of action RPG games with a knack for immersing myself in richly detailed worlds, I firmly believe that both “Remnant: From the Ashes” and its upcoming sequel, “Remnant 2,” are must-plays for any enthusiast like me. Having spent countless hours exploring the diverse realms of these games, I can attest to their ability to transport players to unique and captivating environments, each teeming with its own history, magic, technology, and more.

In addition to Remnant 2, locations like Losomn and N’Erud could be suitable additions to this list, with N’Erud potentially offering additional narrative depth in the coming months. Essentially, the Remnant series, along with its prequel game Chronos: Before the Ashes, are compelling choices for inclusion on this list, showcasing strong storytelling and immersive worlds.

5 Steelrising

French Revolution Meets Matrix Revolutions

Steelrising is a title on this list that barely fits the description, as it leans more towards science fiction-style Soulslikes rather than a combination of sci-fi and fantasy. In essence, this game is set during the French Revolution, but in a world where robotics have progressed to the point of creating sentient robots with individual identities. The narrative elements of this game share many similarities with Lies of P, as both feature sentient beings – one being robots and the other being puppets. However, Steelrising also includes magical or at least advanced alchemical aspects, which just barely categorize it as a fantasy setting as well.

4 Enotria: The Last Song

Italian Mythos Mixed With Some Magic

Enotria: The Last Song might seem a bit unusual to feature now since it hasn’t been released yet on August 12, 2024. Nevertheless, due to the available footage from early game code holders, it appears that Enotria deserves a spot here.

In the world of Enotria, while its foundation is deeply rooted in fantasy, there’s a significant element of technological advancement that allows for a (slightly) sci-fi interpretation as well. However, the extent to which this game embraces sci-fi elements remains to be seen, given its basis in Italian folklore. One aspect that leans more towards sci-fi is the Rift system, where the player transitions between different realities to solve puzzles, which seems less like magic and more like a technological device.

3 Unsighted

Robots Given Life With Space Magic are Living Out the Apocalypse

In simpler terms, this game isn’t as much like “Soulsborne” games as others here, leaning more towards the style of open-world Metroidvania or dungeon crawlers. Yet, it retains the ‘Soulslike’ tag and offers a unique blend of magic and sci-fi elements. The storyline is set in a world where humans are extinct, replaced by advanced robots created by them. A meteor strike in this world releases an energy or substance that grants sentience and individual identities to any robot exposed to it.

In the world of Unsighted, the story unfolds when the energy source that keeps robots functioning has depleted. Any robot running out of this essential energy transforms into a mindless version or ‘monster’. This distinctive feature of Unsighted is skillfully woven into the gameplay, as players find themselves racing against the clock from the very start for each character they encounter, as the game time is literally ticking.

2 Deathbound

Cults of Death & Magic Made From Souls

Let’s discuss another contemporary Soulslike game, titled “Deathbound”. Unlike traditional games in this genre where you control individual characters, Deathbound presents an intriguing twist: all characters share the same body. This unique feature comes into play during combat, allowing for swift character swapping. In this world, there are special individuals known as Essencemancers who possess the ability to interact with other souls and harness their energy as a magical resource.

In this fictional universe, the Essencemancers strive to unravel the secret of granting eternal life, an act frowned upon by the Church of Death. This religious faction opposes them fiercely, leading to conflict that sets the stage for our first playable character, Therone Guillaumen, in the game “Deathbound.” Despite boasting intriguing science fiction and fantasy elements, the gameplay mechanics of “Deathbound” could benefit from some refinement.

1 Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order & Jedi Survivor

Star Wars Was Already Both a Fantasy & Sci-Fi Series

To wrap up, it’s clearly appropriate to include the Soulslike games set within the expansive Star Wars universe. The Star Wars intellectual property encompasses both fantasy and science fiction genres. The narratives unfold in distant eras when human technology has surpassed exploration and planetary transformation.

In these games, known as Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor, there’s a blend of science fiction and fantasy elements. The Force, a significant aspect of this universe, functions as magic within the storyline. Although it can be explained scientifically through midi-chlorians, it serves as a form of magical power for characters like Cal Kestis who are Jedi. Consequently, these games can comfortably fall under both fantasy and sci-fi genres.

2024-08-13 06:24