Most people active here probably know of the FS catalogue. Given Lemmy’s population, the term soulslike may be applied to games quite liberally, so games like Hollow Knight, Nine Sols, Blasphemous and similar games, which incorporate soulslike elements, would all fall under the same umbrella term.

What are your must-plays? What surprised you? What is a sleeper hit you feel like people don’t talk about enough?

Let us know!

Edit: I do know that the games in the thumbnail aren’t soulslikes in the traditional sense; however, they show some elements that are often associated with soulslikes, so they serve more as a conversation starter to think outside the box and the rigid ideas of what a soulslike truly is and can be

  • N0x0n@lemmy.ml
    6·
    7 days ago

    Ori and the blind forest/the will of the wisp are both great games but far from a soulslike.

    It plays more like a slow paced story game with some neat mechanics and cutesy animation and sad story that somehow has a happy ending? Both are great though !

    People will probably disagree here, but some aspects of Horizon Zero Dawn are a bit souls like. Specially on PC when you’re trying to do a perfect hit with keyboard/mouse. I really liked that aspect when you try to take down A big machine only hitting its weak points with NORMAL bows. I got a good 300h in HZD just roaming the world and perfecting my kills during encounters !

    • Druid@lemmy.zipOPMEnglish
      2·
      6 days ago

      Agree on Ori for sure. Was just meant as a conversation starter to think outside the box of classic soulslikes.

      Hm, I see your point about Horizon. Some of the boss fights do definitely feel a little souls-y. I’d argue, though, that the arsenal of Aloy is a lot larger than any of the heroes in classic souls games, straying a little from its original meaning. The focus on “boss fights” does resemble them tho. Monster Hunter might go in a similar direction then?

      • N0x0n@lemmy.ml
        2·
        4 days ago

        Yeah I read your edited portion 😄 but was to lazy to edit mine XD.

        Yeah I actually don’t like how broken some of the arsenal is (looking at you ice element) but it’s very cool for those who like a more action/destroy everything gameplay.

        However the new game + ,with no elemental bows, is really a good challenge ! Not as difficut as any souls like but If you don’t carefully prepare traps and know how to use them efficiently and target weak points you can easily get overwhelmed and die !

        Haven’t tried forbidden west so can’t argue on that one but heard some negative aspects for those who like me, liked to sneak arround and do more stealthy things with preparation…

        • Druid@lemmy.zipOPMEnglish
          2·
          4 days ago

          I can imagine that would be challenging!

          Haven’t tried Forbidden West either, but from what I’ve heard and seen whilst watching my SO play, it’s more of the same but in a good way. All of the existing systems have been expanded upon and made better, there’s more move variety, more playstyles. You could theoretically even play a somewhat competent melee build. I tried to make it work for a couple hours but lacked the damage and range, so probably not an exclusively melee build, but it players a larger role than in ZD and FW.