The soulslike genre’s popularity is undeniable, highlighted by the recent launches of two notable games—Lies of PandLords of the Fallen. Both received positive reviews from critics and attracted decent player counts. Despite a hint of fatigue among players, the genre continues to thrive, with several promising titles on the horizon, such asElden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, Black Myth: Wukong, and Phantom Blade Zero.
While Black Myth: Wukong is currently one of my most anticipated games, I can’t say I’m a fan of a classic soulslike formula established and perfected byFromSoftwareover the past decade. No matter how many games I tried—Bloodborne,Mortal Shell,Ashen,Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, orDemon’s Souls Remake—I usually find myself bouncing back within the first five to ten hours. The focus on combat above all else and the punishing/rewarding cycle often feels somewhat drawn out to me. Countless retries against each new opponent and traversing the same route over and over again until you succeed can be time-consuming. After all, I’m a busy man, and I could probably complete several new games in the time it takes to beat another soulslike.
Yet, for some reason,2014’s Lords of the Fallenmanaged to pull me in, making it one of the few soulslike games I completed, alongside Remnant and theStar Wars Jediseries (although these might not be considered soulslikes by some). I have yet to try the new Lords of the Fallen game, but what makes the original so special for me in the first place?
I Seamlessly Travelled Dimensions In Lords Of The Fallen, And Loved It
The Soulslike genre is thriving and I got to check out Lords of the Fallen at Gamescom this year.
Lords of the Fallen is rarely included in the lists of ‘best soulslike games,’ and I can probably agree. I wouldn’t blindly recommend it to everyone, but it’s a competently made game; it’s just not very original. Arriving in the goldenDark Soulsera, CI Games' title didn’t offer anything groundbreaking in the genre, but there were some unique traits that I personally found really appealing.
To start, Lords of the Fallen boasts unique aesthetic choices, reminiscent of a darker version of Diablo 3 without an isometric camera. Characters, enemies, armor, and weapons all feature slightly exaggerated proportions, adding to its sense of an ‘unreal’ fantasy realm. This artistic choice lends the game a distinctive visual appeal that stands the test of time, even almost a decade since its launch. I firmly believe that artistic style is just as crucial as technological advancements, and Lords of the Fallen serves as a testament to that belief.
I also really loved the weightiness of its protagonist, Harkin, especially when kitted out in heavy armor and gear. It’s all a matter of taste, of course, but Lords of the Fallen perfectly captures the sensation of battling in heavy armor, wielding a massive shield and a giant sword. Each move felt deliberately slow, demanding strategic thinking on when to strike rather than relying solely on quick reactions. Some may describe the game’s movement as jelly-like, but I found that sensation oddly satisfying, and I haven’t encountered it elsewhere since.
The enemies and bosses in Lords of the Fallen were decidedly more human than some dreadful Lovecraftian creatures common in FromSoft games. Here, they were primarily knights of various forms and sizes. Again, this might deter some players, but for me, it was another layer of charm to the game. There was a unique satisfaction in facing enemies that shared similar movesets as yourself. Carefully maneuvering around foes that were as heavy and clumsy as you, both parties anticipating the other’s misstep to land a crucial strike—it was an experience that deeply appealed to me.
10 Best Soulslike Games, Ranked
There are several Soulslike games that recapture the same magic while also introducing some innovative gameplay elements.
When it comes to difficulty, Lords of the Fallen strikes an almost perfect balance between the pace of your deaths and the reasonable number of attempts needed to overcome any new obstacle. Unlike many other soulslike games that skyrocket the difficulty after a few hours—such as Wo Long, which often just make me give up and never return after countless failed attempts at a major boss—this game focuses on a strategic combat rather than lightning-fast parrying system or roll-every-blow approach. This emphasis probably makes the game much more accessible for players like me.
It’s also a relatively short game, with a compact map that doesn’t require you to wander back and forth for hours, trying to find enemies within your skill level or uncover a hidden route to progress. Even for someone unfamiliar with the genre like myself, the game can likely be completed in less than 25 hours, making it an ideal length. At the same time, it features just enough memorable bosses that demand a unique approach to their challenges, ensuring you never feel like the game’s potential is left untapped.
2014’s Lords of the Fallen wasn’t a masterpiece by any means, yet it was a surprisingly absorbing adventure and still stands as one of the very few soulslike games I managed to fully beat. I’m not entirely sure about the new Lords of the Fallen game just yet, but maybe I’ll give it a go as well—hoping that CI Games managed to retain at least a bit of the original’s strengths that made it so special for me.
Lords of the Fallen (dupe)
Lords of the Fallen is a 2023 soulslike that sees you battle horrifying monsters as you traverse between the Axiom and Umbral realms on a quest to kill Adyr, the demon god.
