The term “Souls Like” has become synonymous with challenging combat, intricate world design, and a unique sense of player agency. Spawned from the monumental success of FromSoftware’s Dark Souls series, this subgenre has captivated American gamers with its demanding difficulty and rewarding sense of accomplishment. But what exactly defines a Souls-like game, and which titles truly capture the essence of this captivating experience? This comprehensive guide will explore the defining characteristics of the Souls-like genre, highlight some of the best examples, and provide insights into why these games have become so popular among hardcore gamers.
What Makes a Game “Souls Like“? Unveiling the Core Elements
Defining the Souls-like genre is more complex than simply labeling any difficult game as such. While difficulty is certainly a key element, there are several other defining characteristics that set these games apart.
- Challenging Combat: Souls-like games are known for their demanding combat, which requires precise timing, strategic thinking, and careful resource management. Enemies are often formidable, and even basic encounters can be deadly.
- Punishing Death Mechanics: Death in a Souls-like game typically carries significant consequences, such as losing progress, experience points, or valuable items. This creates a sense of tension and encourages players to learn from their mistakes.
- Intricate World Design: The worlds in Souls-like games are often interconnected and filled with secrets, hidden pathways, and challenging environmental puzzles. Exploration is rewarded, and players are encouraged to venture off the beaten path.
- Deliberate and Precise Controls: Unlike button-mashing action games, Souls-like games emphasize deliberate and precise controls. Every action requires careful timing and consideration, and even a small mistake can be fatal.
- Indirect Storytelling: Souls-like games often feature cryptic and fragmented narratives, leaving players to piece together the story through environmental clues, item descriptions, and conversations with NPCs.
- Character Customization and Progression: Players can typically customize their characters with different weapons, armor, and skills, allowing for a wide range of playstyles. Character progression is often slow and deliberate, requiring significant investment of time and effort.
These core elements combine to create a unique and rewarding gaming experience that has captivated millions of players worldwide.
Top Souls Like Games You Should Play: A Curated List
With the popularity of the Souls-like genre, numerous developers have attempted to create games that capture its essence. Here are some of the best examples, showcasing the diversity and innovation within the subgenre:
1. Elden Ring (FromSoftware): The Open-World Evolution
Elden Ring, the latest masterpiece from FromSoftware, takes the Souls-like formula and expands it into a vast open world. Featuring challenging combat, intricate lore, and stunning visuals, Elden Ring has become a critical and commercial success. It retains the core mechanics of the Souls series while adding new elements like horseback exploration and a more accessible narrative.
2. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (FromSoftware): A Focus on Parry and Posture
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice departs from the traditional Souls-like formula by focusing on parrying and posture breaking. Featuring fast-paced, skill-based combat and a unique setting inspired by Japanese folklore, Sekiro offers a challenging and rewarding experience for players who master its intricate combat system.
3. Nioh and Nioh 2 (Team Ninja): The Fast-Paced Action Alternative
The Nioh series combines the challenging combat and intricate level design of Souls-like games with a faster-paced, more action-oriented combat system inspired by Ninja Gaiden. Featuring a rich historical setting and a wide range of weapons and skills, Nioh offers a compelling alternative to the slower, more deliberate combat of Dark Souls.
4. Hollow Knight (Team Cherry): The Metroidvania Fusion
Hollow Knight blends the challenging combat and interconnected world design of Souls-like games with the exploration and platforming of Metroidvania games. Featuring stunning hand-drawn visuals and a haunting atmosphere, Hollow Knight is a masterpiece of indie game development.
5. Salt and Sanctuary (Ska Studios): The 2D Souls-Like
Salt and Sanctuary successfully translates the Souls-like formula into a 2D side-scrolling perspective. Featuring challenging combat, intricate level design, and a dark and atmospheric world, Salt and Sanctuary is a must-play for fans of both Souls-like and Metroidvania games.
6. Mortal Shell (Cold Symmetry): The Shell Swapping Mechanic
Mortal Shell introduces a unique mechanic where players can inhabit the bodies of fallen warriors, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Featuring challenging combat, a dark and oppressive atmosphere, and a focus on exploration, Mortal Shell offers a compelling and challenging Souls-like experience.
The Appeal of the Challenge: Why Do Gamers Love Souls-Like Games?
Despite their demanding difficulty, Souls-like games have garnered a dedicated fanbase. What explains their enduring appeal?
- Sense of Accomplishment: Overcoming the challenges in a Souls-like game provides a tremendous sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
- Intense Immersion: The challenging combat, intricate world design, and cryptic storytelling create a deeply immersive experience.
- Freedom of Choice: Players have a great deal of freedom to customize their characters, explore the world, and approach challenges in their own way.
- Community Collaboration: The difficulty of Souls-like games encourages players to collaborate and share strategies, creating a strong sense of community.
- Learning and Growth: Souls-like games demand that players learn from their mistakes and adapt their strategies. This process of learning and growth can be highly rewarding.
The Reddit communities dedicated to Souls-like games often highlight these aspects, with users sharing tips, strategies, and personal experiences of overcoming seemingly impossible challenges.
The Importance of Difficulty: Finding the Right Balance
Difficulty is a defining characteristic of the Souls-like genre, but it’s important to find the right balance. A game that is too easy may feel unrewarding, while a game that is too difficult may be frustrating and inaccessible.
- Fair Challenge: The difficulty should feel fair and consistent, rather than arbitrary or cheap.
- Learning Opportunities: The game should provide opportunities for players to learn from their mistakes and improve their skills.
- Accessibility Options: Some Souls-like games offer accessibility options, such as adjustable difficulty settings or assist modes, to make the game more approachable for a wider audience.
How to Get Started with Souls-Like Games: A Beginner’s Guide
If you’re new to the Souls-like genre, here are some tips to help you get started:
- Be Patient: Souls-like games require patience and perseverance. Don’t get discouraged by early deaths.
- Learn the Combat System: Take the time to learn the intricacies of the combat system, including timing, spacing, and enemy attack patterns.
- Explore Thoroughly: Explore the world carefully, looking for hidden pathways, valuable items, and useful information.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help: The Souls-like community is generally very helpful and welcoming. Don’t be afraid to ask for tips or advice online.
- Choose Your First Game Wisely: Consider starting with a more accessible Souls-like game, such as Elden Ring or Hollow Knight, before tackling the more challenging titles like Dark Souls.
The Future of the Souls Like Genre: What Lies Ahead?
The Souls-like genre continues to evolve and innovate, with new games pushing the boundaries of difficulty, world design, and storytelling.
- Expansion into New Genres: We may see Souls-like elements incorporated into other genres, such as strategy games or puzzle games.
- Increased Accessibility: Developers may find new ways to make Souls-like games more accessible to a wider audience without compromising the core challenge.
- Focus on Narrative and Character Development: Future Souls-like games may place a greater emphasis on narrative and character development, creating more emotionally resonant experiences.
“The Souls-like genre has proven that gamers are hungry for challenging and rewarding experiences,” says game developer Hidetaka Miyazaki, the creator of the Dark Souls series. “I believe that the future of the genre lies in finding new ways to challenge players and create unforgettable moments.”
Are Souls Like Games Right For You?: A Self Assessment
Here are questions that can help you to find out whether souls like games are right for you.
- Do you enjoy challenging games?
- Are you willing to replay sections many times?
- Do you enjoy exploring and finding secrets?
- Are you willing to learn about indirect storytelling to understand the game?
If you answered yes to most of these questions, then souls like games might be perfect for you.
Conclusion: Embrace the Challenge and Discover the Reward
The Souls Like genre offers a unique and rewarding gaming experience that has captivated millions of players around the world. With its challenging combat, intricate world design, and sense of player agency, Souls-like games provide a test of skill, patience, and determination. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the genre, there’s a Souls-like game out there waiting to challenge and reward you. So, embrace the difficulty, explore the world, and discover the joy of overcoming seemingly impossible obstacles. The journey may be arduous, but the reward is well worth the effort.
