So, imagine this epic collab between FromSoftware and the gaming guru Hidetaka Miyazaki, and boom, Dark Souls drops, giving birth to a whole new gaming vibe. While other game peeps thought players weren't down for super complex stuff, Miyazaki flipped the script, creating a mega hardcore game that's all about focus, mad skills, and having the patience of a gaming saint.
And guess what? This game is so legendary that now "Souls-like" is like a gaming household term, joining the ranks of Roguelike, Metroidvania, and breakout. It's basically a subgenre where things get crazy complex, and the combat system steals the show from the plot. In this piece, we're hooking you up with a dope list of a dozen killer Souls-like games to spice up your gaming routine.
Skautfold: Shrouded in Sanity
Let's dive into the Skautfold series, starting with "Shrouded in Sanity." This game vibes closest to Souls-like, where our hero's got a mission to clear out the spooky fog around Berelai estate. But hold up, it ain't a walk in the park; this estate is packed with dangers, and death ain't the end, thanks to a blood-signed contract that keeps our hero coming back for more.
In classic Hidetaka Miyazaki style, the plot unfolds in bits, mostly through the environment, and the combat system is straight-up Souls-like, just with a bird's-eye view, giving off those old-school Legend of Zelda vibes. Visually, "Shrouded in Sanity" is rocking that Bloodborne aesthetic – think Victorian era with a sprinkle of Lovecraft goodness. Now, here's the deal – the game's a bit on the short side, and leveling up is kind of a one-trick pony. Our hero sticks to the starter gear, just beefing up basic stuff like health and stamina.
Salt and Sanctuary
Salt and Sanctuary – the top dog gunning for the "Dark Souls of Platformers" crown. Picture this: you're a sailor, shipwrecked on some mysterious island draped in thick fog. The plot? Dished out like a teaspoon every hour, and your hero's motives? Foggy at the start. But hold tight, the map for exploration expands big time as you snag those sweet items, and the deets on what's going down? Unpacked through convos with the not-so-friendly locals.
Salt and Sanctuary? It's like if Dark Souls and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night had a rebellious indie baby. And guess what? This offspring is doing just fine on its own. Now, here's the twist – leveling up happens on this massive, branching tree thing. Unlike Souls, switching specialties on the fly is a headache, and the juiciest bonuses? Locked into one specific class. Get ready for a wild ride – Salt and Sanctuary is no joke! 🎮🏰
The Surge
The Surge – where our hero, dealing with a case of busted lower limbs, scores a gig at CREO, a massive corporation throwing in not just a job but promises to fix that health glitch too. But hold up, things take a wild turn. Post-surgery, our hero wakes up rocking a high-tech exoskeleton, smack dab in the middle of a post-apocalyptic nightmare. It's a mess out there, folks look like zombies on a bad day, and the local AI's got a vendetta, trying to wipe out the one sane human left.
Now, here's where The Surge flips the script: forget about the usual counterattack, roll-over routine. We're talking horizontal and vertical hits, squatting, and jumping to dodge all sorts of attacks. Brace yourself for an aggressive gameplay push – the skills here shine when you're on the offensive. And here's the game-changer in combat: you can target specific limbs! Smash those pain points, wreck the armor parts, and pull off some seriously stylish, bloody finishers. Get ready to unleash chaos! 🤖🔥
Mortal Shell
Dive into Mortal Shell, where you kick things off with a body surfacing in a creepy reservoir. Picture this: a wrecked world, bodies strewn all over, and nasty creatures gunning for you. But fear not, our unnamed hero rocks a cool trick – he can hop into the bodies of fallen warriors, snagging their powers and skills. Using these tricks, he's got to carve out a spot in this dying world.
Now, props to Mortal Shell for the neat finds and a top-notch combat system, but gotta throw in a word about the skimpy content. We're talking just four "shells" in the game, and the same deal for weapons, locations, and bosses. Even a chilled playthrough won't clock more than eight hours, barely enough to beef up any of those shells. However, if you treat Mortal Shell like a concentrated shot of Souls-like goodness, you can vibe with it: solid mechanics, levels that might surprise you (though, brace for some standard swamps), and cool moves like insta-petrification in battle that add some flair to the game. Get ready for a short but sweet ride!
Nioh
it's the 1600s in Japan, and our dude William Adams, an Irish navigator, rolls into the Land of the Rising Sun on a mission to find the wizard Edward Kelly. But hold up, Japan's in the midst of some intense wars, and you've got youkai demons casually strolling around. William's got to dive headfirst into the war chaos and face off with demons.
Here's the scoop: the plot draws from Akira Kurosawa's unfinished "Oni" film script. Now, what sets Nioh apart from other Souls-like games is its loot system, giving off major Diablo vibes. We're talking a crazy amount of weapons and armor, so get ready for some serious gear swapping. And here's the cool twist – combat stances. Every situation needs its own style, and picking the right weapons and stances makes your game journey a whole lot smoother. It's a wild ride in the Land of the Rising Sun, my friend!
Lords of the Fallen
Lords of the Fallen is one of the OG Dark Souls clones that caught gamers' eyes. We're diving into an alternate universe where the gods totally ditched humanity. You, my friend, step into the shoes of Harkin, a convict on death row. But guess what? A monk swoops in for the rescue because Harkin's the last hope to kick demon invasion butt.
Now, the plot here spills out more generously than your typical Souls-like game. Characters are chattier, notes spill secrets, and videos leave zero room for guesswork. Check this out – a local multiplier spices things up, pushing you to take risks. You can play it safe, grab less XP, and chill by the bonfires, or you can go all-in, skip 'em, and boost that XP multiplier with every enemy takedown. No mind-blowing revelations here, just a solid clone that's a must-try for those hungering for more than Miyazaki's masterpieces.
Lucah: Born of a Dream
Lucah: Born of a Dream – a wild ride where our hero sports a funky mark from a fake god, tossing him into a never-ending nightmare. But that's not all – it cranks up all his deepest fears, making them real. Now, our job? Snap out of this bad dream and muster the strength to own up to who we really are.
Now, the game rocks some seriously out-there visuals. Forget your usual spooky castles or post-apocalyptic gloom – we're talking weird, wild chalkboard-style drawings. Weapons? Nah, we've got mantras, cranking up our hero's moves, and skills are swapped for virtues. Here's the cool part – you can hit the rewind button, literally. Three times. That means you can redo battles, even boss fights. And let's not forget the plot, all wrapped around some deep psychological trauma – now that's a fresh take for the genre!
Remnant: From the Ashes
Remnant: From the Ashes – where humanity's getting whooped by some ancient evil from another dimension. These wood-based monsters are taking over the Earth like it's their personal playground, and only a handful of survivors are holding their ground. To fight back, the brave ones are diving into portals, hopping dimensions to find a way to fix this mess.
Now, what sets Remnant apart? Guns, my friend! A truckload of them, each with its own vibe and top-notch design. And guess what? You can team up with two other buddies for some co-op action. Plus, the levels are randomly generated, giving this game serious replay value. Sure, the difficulty might feel a bit forced, but hey, you can still solo your way through the whole shebang without breaking a sweat. Oh, and did I mention the post-apocalyptic scene? It's not your usual gloom – living trees crashing the party on the ruins of civilization. Remnant's carving its path, standing out from the clone crew.
Ashen
Step into Ashen's world where the Sun took a nosedive – blame it on the Ash Bird checking out. Darkness has been throwing its weight around for a while, but fear not, light's making a comeback. Our hero, a lone wolf wanderer, has a mission: not just to build a chill fortress in this lost world but also to hunt down a baby Ashbird. Why? 'Cause that little fella can bring light back to these cursed lands.
What makes Ashen stand out? Hold on to your gaming chair. The multiplayer is a wild ride, kinda like Journey. You can bump into another player almost anywhere, and how you both vibe together is all on you. And let's talk style – the low-poly graphics might not be everyone's cup of XP, but it's got its groove. The devs went all in on the adventure feels, making it one of Ashen's power moves.
Dark Devotion
Meet the young templar girl on her quest to dive deep into the ancient underground temple – all in the name of honoring her deity. Brace yourself, though; this journey isn't a cakewalk. It's a rollercoaster of both physical and mental challenges. The deeper our heroine ventures into the temple's belly, the more her faith starts doing the limbo.
Now, check this out – the map might be on the lowdown, but the game nudges you to hit replay with its nonlinearity. Picture this: up to five forks in the road for each location. Blessings and curses spice things up too. Oh, and here's the kicker – when you kick the bucket, you lose not just XP but everything you've snagged. Sure, you can stumble upon special items left behind by your former self, but snagging them? That's a whole other level. Even though the game puts you on a one-way street (backtracking is a no-go, and recklessness can lead to respawn city), the suffering? Not too shabby. After a dozen hours, even strolling through familiar territory won't have you yawning.
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