Summary
Ever since the unprecedented success ofDark Souls, developers have been hard at work adding their spin to the formula popularized by this title. This has led tothe birth of the Soulslike genre, which is flourishing to this day, allowing players to check out hard-as-nails games that aren’t too unfair and let players perfect their skills as they go through grueling levels and take on challenging enemies. The moment-to-moment gameplay of these titles is tense yet captivating, with players trying their hardest to not die as they slowly but surely make progress.
The bane of almost every Soulslike game has always been fighting against multiple enemies, especially since the vast majority of these games feature mechanics that prioritize fights against single opponents. So, it’s refreshing to see Soulslike games that do a commendable job of letting players take on multiple enemies at a time without feeling overwhelmed or stun-locked to death.
Players who want to see if the Soulslike formula can work with third-person shooter gameplay will love whatRemnant: From the Ashesbrings to the table. The combat mechanics are as tight as they come, and players must use the best weapons in their arsenal to take on the many tough enemies that stand in their way. The very nature of third-person shooting gameplay entails that players must have many targets to shoot, andRemnant: From the Ashesdoesn’t disappoint in this regard.
Numerous enemies will either try to close the distance or take potshots from afar, making it important to manage mobs and take out enemies quickly before players get overwhelmed. The bosses are also accompanied by mods that force players to move around and avoid unnecessary damage as they try to take out these tough challenges and make progress.
The fact that a major AAA studio is employing Soulslike combat mechanics is a testament to how revolutionaryDark Soulswas.Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Orderlets players experience one of the finest single-player experiences that makes the most of this beloved IP. Cal Kestis is a great protagonist and watching him come to grips with his powers while restoring the Jedi Order makes for a great time. Both traversal and combat are a blast to engage with and let players enjoy an action-adventure game for the ages.
Players must unlock numerous abilities before most enemies can be easily defeated, but doing so ensures that a battle against multiple enemies won’t be too much of a challenge.Fallen Orderisn’t as challenging as most other Soulslike gamesand ensures that players won’t be overwhelmed if they aggro more than a single opponent during a combat encounter.
The changes made fromDarksiders 2to its sequelweren’t appreciated by many, with the scale of the game being reduced considerably. However, players who loved the lore and worldbuilding of the series were more than happy to get their hands on a third game, with the combat taking on more of a Soulslike vibe than its predecessors without being too punishing.
This meant that players could enjoy a combat system that felt tight and polished while also taking on several enemies at once. The Barbs of Scorn is a weapon that players will love the most because of how satisfying it is to use, and players can easily hit multiple enemies with this weapon to unleash satisfying combos. Along with this, Scorn can transform into other weapons that have great crowd-control moves as well, such as bladed chains, a warhammer, and a scythe.
Mortal Shellis a Soulslikethat brings some fresh ideas to the genre and doesn’t overstay its welcome. Instead of controlling a solitary character that grows in strength over time, players control a weak Foundling who can occupy a total of five shells that vary in terms of speed, power, durability, and abilities. Players must upgrade the shell of their choice and explore the game world as they take on several bosses and beat down enemies to a pulp.
At a glance, it may seem like taking on multiple enemies at once isn’t viable inMortal Shell, but that’s where the Hardening mechanic comes into the picture. Even if players commit themselves to an attack, the Hardening button can be pressed at any moment to petrify the character for a split second and tank any attack without incurring any damage. This means that players can avoid damage from any angle by using this ability. If players want to commit to a playstyle that relies heavily on the Hardening ability, then they should make it a point to invest in Harros, the Vassal.
Barring a rather unfortunate reveal that turned this game into a meme for some time,Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Originis a love letter toFinal Fantasyfans that players will adore. Players experience what is essentially a retelling of the first game as they control the Warriors of Light in their quest to take out the malevolent Chaos.With numerous jobsand a wealth of levels to explore, it’s easy to see why players seeking out a Soulslike game with level variety will love whatStranger of Paradisebrings to the table.
The combat is quite forgiving as long as players prioritize depleting an enemy’s Break Gauge and avoid unnecessary damage. Switching between jobs ensures that players have all their bases covered and can take on multiple enemies without feeling overwhelmed. Fans invested in the lore ofFinal Fantasywill love uncovering the narrative as they defeat a litany of powerful and legendary enemies before finally facing off against Chaos himself.
