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Soulslike - Discussion, News, Memes

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This is a community for discussion, news, and memes pertaining to the video game sub-genre "soulslike".

Given Lemmy's size, the definition of soulslike may be treated relatively loosely. While games like the numerous FromSoft titles, the recent Star Wars Jedi games, Lies of P, Nioh and similar games should be the focus, games that incorporate soulslike elements - like Hollow Knight and Blasphemous, for example - may also be discussed here.

Basic Lemmy-quette applies. Additionally, since flairs don't exist yet, please do make sure to include a marker to denote what game your post is about in square brackets for clarity's sake. An example could be:

[BB] This enemy is so difficult!

or

[DS1] Anyone struggling with the gargoyles?

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!liesofp@lemmy.zip

!bloodborne@lemmy.zip

!sekiro@lemmy.zip

!eldenring@lemmy.world

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[Discussion] Which Soulslike will you be playing this weekend? (lemmy.zip)
submitted 5 days ago by v4ld1z@lemmy.zip to c/soulslike@lemmy.zip
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Anything new you've picked up in the Steam Summer Sale? Returning to any comfort games? Finishing up a playthrough?

Let us know!

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[–] eezeebee@lemmy.ca 6 points 5 days ago (3 children)

Maybe Sekiro - I stopped at a certain boss because it's hard and the runback is annoying. Sad to say I'm not enjoying this game as much as I had hoped, but I do understand why some people love it.

DS2 - trying to finish my first SL1 run. I'm at Throne Watcher/Defender which I knew would be an obstacle, and I was right. It's funny how the rest of the game's easier bosses became difficult at SL1, and the moderate difficulty ones are about the same difficulty as playing a levelled character. Enjoying the different perspective it's giving me.

Tails of Iron - I think I'm in the late game. Having lots of fun with this and will definitely be checking out the sequel eventually.

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 4 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Tails of Iron

Oh wow. Someone else who plays that. πŸ˜ƒ

[–] eezeebee@lemmy.ca 3 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Seems like it's pretty underrated. I really like the combat system and how forgiving they made parrying. Feels great to master the boss fights. Have you played 2, "Whiskers of Winter"?

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 3 points 5 days ago

I didn't even realize there was a sequel until now.

[–] domi@lemmy.secnd.me 4 points 5 days ago (1 children)

The running back to the boss is my biggest gripe with souls games, just let me try the boss on repeat. I get 0 enjoyment out of running the same route over and over again, so I'm happy when games skip it entirely.

[–] eezeebee@lemmy.ca 3 points 5 days ago (2 children)

Sometimes I do enjoy a tough runback, once I've mastered how to dodge everything on the way and if it's not too far of a distance. But then there are other runbacks where it's just hell. The one I'm at in Sekiro isn't that far, but the enemies are tough and I was just fighting with the grappling mechanic to get there smoothly.

Demon's Souls was probably the worst culprit for brutal runbacks of all the souls games I've played.

[–] domi@lemmy.secnd.me 3 points 5 days ago

once I’ve mastered how to dodge everything on the way and if it’s not too far of a distance.

It certainly was fun to perfect the sprint to the boss in a few Souls games.

I guess it just grew old with every Souls like doing it. Some games do it quite well but most are just annoying.

Demon’s Souls was probably the worst culprit for brutal runbacks of all the souls games I’ve played.

Even Dark Souls 1 is pretty bad by today's standards. Luckily it has gotten better with each release, with Elden Ring essentially spawning you right back in the fight.

[–] v4ld1z@lemmy.zip 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Demon's Souls was brutal. For how difficult the fight against Flamelurker was compared to the rest of the bosses in the game, the run-up was annoying as well. I think you had to jump down these rocks to get to the bottom of the area and to the pit where you fought it. And by jumping down, you'd take fall damage, so you wouldn't ever go into the fight with full HP - at least I couldn't. That was so annoying

[–] eezeebee@lemmy.ca 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I guess I was fortunate because I was able to beat Flamelurker first try (the ONLY boss I beat first try) thanks to the sorcery from Royal starting class, but I can imagine how bad that runback would be. For me the toughest ones were Tower Knight, Spider Boss, and especially King Allant at about 25+ tries. It didn't help that I was max black world tendency before looking up how it worked lol.

[–] v4ld1z@lemmy.zip 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

The spider was awful too, I remember. Though I didn't struggle all too much with Allant, really. I think got him like 3rd try or so. He's the only boss in the game that felt like a "classic" standard souls boss and not like a gimmick, so I got into it rather easily. Flamelurker was a pain, the spider was a pain. Outside those two, I don't remember any other boss being that much of a roadblock:

Penetrator was also pretty easy but a cool fight overall.

Fool's Idol was a bit of a challenge, I think, because I didn't get the gimmick immediately. But I did kill that sorcerer up top that buffed her (was it even that fight?)

Adjudicator was just annoying and killed more often that I wanted it to because I didn't get the gimmick here either. In hindsight, it's obvious what you have to do, but if I've never used a bow before, how would I think of doing so here?

Oh yea, Maiden Astraea was also annoying because her anointed knight was more of a annoy-ntet (heh) knight. Got parried all the time and they dealt way too much damage.

All the other bosses I've not mentioned were fine overall.

Maybe I should go back for another run sometime?

[–] eezeebee@lemmy.ca 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Though I didn’t struggle all too much with Allant, really. I think got him like 3rd try or so. He’s the only boss in the game that felt like a β€œclassic” standard souls boss and not like a gimmick, so I got into it rather easily.

Agreed, he did feel like a proper boss. My struggle was with getting back to him and dying to the dragonfire and regular enemies on the staircase lol.

Penetrator was also pretty easy but a cool fight overall.

Coolest boss in the game, but disappointingly easy.

Oh yea, Maiden Astraea was also annoying because her anointed knight was more of a annoy-ntet (heh) knight. Got parried all the time and they dealt way too much damage.

It was an annoying gimmick, but I still liked it. Just a cool idea overall.

Maybe I should go back for another run sometime?

Absolutely. If you didn't play with sorcery before, I recommend trying it out.

[–] v4ld1z@lemmy.zip 2 points 2 days ago

I'll have to see if I can snag a cheap copy somewhere. Played it on Extra a couple years ago and I don't have any desire to resubscribe any time soon. Too much of a money sink for little payoff for me

[–] v4ld1z@lemmy.zip 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Which boss did you get stuck on with Sekiro? It took me 3 separate attempts and several years between the individual attempts to finally fall in love the game as much as I did in the end. It's really difficult starting out because it's so different from its contemporaries. It might be worth it to keep pursuing it, but don't if you're actively miserable playing the game.

[–] eezeebee@lemmy.ca 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I'm stuck at "Owl". I know there's an idol just underneath him, but with the new enemies in the room and the frustration I've been having, I didn't have the willpower to beat them and activate it to shorten my runback. Eventually I'll go back and try again, but it wasn't fun so I stopped for now.

[–] v4ld1z@lemmy.zip 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Oh lol, I never thought of using that idol. I would just use the one by the bridge, so I'd have to jump up over all the rooftops and evade all the enemies

Yea, Owl is definitely a tough one. He has lots of moves to look out for and can be a little tricky with his timing. I'm sure you'll get there eventually, but totally fine to take a break, of course. No use wearing yourself down

[–] eezeebee@lemmy.ca 2 points 3 days ago

Yeah, after beating Genichiro I feel like I can beat the game, it's just a matter of mustering up the patience and willpower to actually do it.

[–] Teal@lemmy.zip 6 points 5 days ago

I’m going through Elden Ring for the second time. First character was a quality build that ended up gaining lots of faith stats for the DLC. I’m miss my goofy but fun Shadow Sunflower bonk. :)

This time my main stats are more Int/Dex based. Playing more of a spell sword style rather than pure caster. I was getting along fine with moonveil for much of the time but being at the Consecrated Snowfields on my way to the Haligtree I’m using DMGS more. Spells have been a fun addition that I missed out on in my first time through.

Being so accustomed to melee I’m using magic mostly for some cheeky ranged attacks and rock sling stagger. Just got the ability to use both moon spells last night (Int is 70, Dex between 45-50). Thinking of taking points out of Dex to boost Strength which is only 20. Vigor is a healthy 60. Still not sure, but I play PvE only so I’m not taking it too seriously.

[–] selokichtli@lemmy.ml 6 points 5 days ago

Elden Ring. Still can't finish the original thing, not the DLC. It's great, really, but I don't like the criptic quests and lore (you definitely need a Wiki or guide sometimes). It really doesn't make it more interesting.

[–] GrantUsEyes@lemmy.zip 5 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Dark souls. I want to figure out how to interact with the anor londo painting, and I'm also debating whether to go new londo ruins, or the post Queelag area next, (or maybe the catacombs.) I still feel like I have tons of exploring to do. In the beginning I felt really underleveled for a bunch of areas but It might be time to give them another go.

[–] eezeebee@lemmy.ca 4 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I won't spoil anything, just wanted to say that I'm excited for you to blindly figure all this out. You only get one blind playthrough!

[–] GrantUsEyes@lemmy.zip 2 points 4 days ago

It has been amazing so far. It is a beautifully crafted world.

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 4 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

Haven't played Elden Ring since finishing SOTE so I'm playing that. Gonna make a Crucible Knight build.

If you see a summon sign from Joan D'Arc, das me.

[–] domi@lemmy.secnd.me 3 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Finished the Lies of P DLC, it was great. Started Nioh 1 now since it was on sale for a few bucks.

I sort of ignored Nioh up until now but Iron Pineapple keeps raving about it so I thought I should check it out. So far I really like it, aged surprisingly well.

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 3 points 5 days ago (1 children)

How does it compare to the FromSoft games? I can't tell if it feels like a proper souls like, or something more like Dynasty Warriors from the videos and screenshots.

[–] domi@lemmy.secnd.me 3 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Definitely a pure souls like, a pretty polished one as well. Trailer makes it look pretty epic but it's generally fairly slow and methodical, stamina management is key.

In addition to the normal souls gameplay, it also has 3 stances you can switch between depending on if you want to play offensive/defensive or if you want to dodge or parry.

It also has "Ki", which you can use to regenerate a part of your stamina after each hit. Essentially after an attack you can either attack again or time a Ki pulse. If your timing is right, you get back some stamina. Pretty neat system actually.

There's also quite some inventory and skill management. It's overdoing it a little bit in that department but I have seen worse.

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 3 points 5 days ago

Hm... Maybe I will check that out when I enevitably get pissed off at Elden Ring for ignoring my Dodge input for the 13th time. (It's on PS+.)