this post was submitted on 03 Sep 2025
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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?

Friends:

!liesofp@lemmy.zip

!bloodborne@lemmy.zip

!sekiro@lemmy.zip

!eldenring@lemmy.world

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My first Fromsoft game I ever completed and only the second souls like I ever played. My emotions are all over the place.

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[–] JakenVeina@midwest.social 8 points 1 week ago (1 children)

How many attempts didnit take you to get through it? I.E. did you ever fall off for a while, and have to start over to pick it back up?

[–] anistorian@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago (1 children)

No, this was my first attempt. But the two golden bros almost had me walk away :p

[–] JakenVeina@midwest.social 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Neat! Me, it took three attempts at picking up the game from scratch to make it through the whole thing. It's the biggest criticism I have, the barrier to entry is massive.

[–] anistorian@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago

It is really is. I also felt really lost arriving at Firelink with the only instructions being go up or down...

[–] SatansMaggotyCumFart@piefed.world 6 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

All these questions and you haven’t given any answers:

How are you enjoying leaving us all hanging?

[–] anistorian@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

Haha, sorry. I was waiting for replies and fell asleep :P

[–] Teal@lemmy.zip 6 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Congratulations! 🎉

Did you try to fight the skeletons in the graveyard first?

What did you think of Blighttown? Did you enter through the depths or the other entrance?

Will you play another Fromsoft (or other souls like) game and if so which one interests you?

[–] anistorian@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Thank you! And yes I did! It didn't end well :P but after getting a bit bored with the Undead Berg I went back and it went a little better. I found my pimp ass Zweihander and went to the Catacombs - then I promptly went back to the Undead Berg :P

I entered Blighttown through the Depths and I absolutely hated it. I got lost and poisoned and knocked off, but when I realized the path is more or less marked out for you by the tourches it became alot easier.

And yes I will, already installed DS2 and can't wait for when my daughters are put to bed tonight.

[–] Teal@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

They got me at first too. It felt good going back to the Catacombs properly leveled.

Blighttown is an intimidating place but as you said once you see your path it makes more sense. Poison is a theme throughout these games. You’ll see it again down the road. :)

Enjoy your new adventure! ⚔️🛡️🪄

[–] anistorian@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

Totally. The second time I went down there to reach the Demon Ruins it took maybe 5 mins to get to the bottom of it :p compared to hours on the first go :p

[–] A_Union_of_Kobolds@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

What was your favorite piece of gear?

[–] anistorian@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago

I don't know if it counts as a single piece, but I loved how sick the Black Knights armor looked.

[–] Artisian@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Which ending? And approximate area order?

[–] anistorian@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago

I am not sure. I killed Gwyn and then I caught fire and then credits.

After the bells I went to the Catacombs, then back to Anor Londo, then Demons Ruins and New Londo Ruins. Then I did the DLC before going back to Gwyn. I friend warned me that if I actually beat Gwyn the game would restart in ng+1, so I quickly backed off :p

[–] rottenmummy@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Congratulations! Would you do it again?

[–] anistorian@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago

Thank you and yes I actually think I will, but I am not sure it will be a ng+1.

[–] Panties@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

What was your first Souls-like?

[–] anistorian@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago

Lies of P :)

[–] Alwaysnownevernotme@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Did you find all four of Gwyn's knight's rings?

[–] anistorian@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

No, I don't think I found any of them.

[–] Alwaysnownevernotme@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Wolf, Hornet, Leo, and Hawk rings

[–] anistorian@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Yeah didn't find any of them.

[–] Alwaysnownevernotme@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Glad you killed that defenseless old man.

Now off to Drainglaic with you the emerald heralds toesies ain't gonna suck themselves.

[–] anistorian@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Gwyn ? He didn't seem so defenseless with his fire and his sword and whatnot. But I am not sure I did anyone a favor by killing him and his cronies.

[–] Alwaysnownevernotme@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Well, he's quite parryable. I would say he's the single easiest enemy to parry in the entire game.

So if you avoid his lil grab you can confidently no hit kill him without even rolling.

BUT THATS NOT IMPORTANT; THIS IS

[–] anistorian@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

Yeah okay, didn't even try to parry him. I just blocked my way through him in the end. Which was way easier than trying to dodge him.

[–] BeefandSquints@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It is now time for Sekiro, their true masterpiece.

[–] anistorian@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I am actually waiting with that one. I am afraid of the speed, so I am going to play DS2 now.

[–] BeefandSquints@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It is truly a much different vibe. At its core it's honestly a rhythm game, every single hit can be parried!

[–] anistorian@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Looking forward to it ! After DS3 I am going Bloodbourne or Sekiro. So in a few months I will see what the fuss is about :p

They really only make bangers!

[–] ZombiFrancis@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Did you touch a big painting?

[–] anistorian@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

No, I did not. What did I miss ?

[–] ZombiFrancis@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 week ago

A painted world that's referenced in later entries.

Mechanically it's a level made from cut content the devs combined into an optional side area. I always forget about it until I'm marching towards Gwyn and then backtrack to finish it.

Similarly, did you find and the climb down the big hollow tree?

[–] lorty@lemmygrad.ml 2 points 1 week ago

What build did you go for? How was Gwyn? What did you understand of the story?

[–] v4ld1z@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

What was your favourite weapon?

How did the game stack up to Lies of P for you?

How difficult was it to adjust to the slower pace of the game?

[–] anistorian@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

Well my Zweihander because it boinks alot!

There is aloooot of QOL in LoP, that I missed in Dark Souls, but overall I can't say which one is best. It's like comparing apples and oranges if though they are the same genre.

And I had a hard time to adjust actually. Often I wanted to quicky get back to where I died, which of course isn't possible because you still have to be slow and methodical going back to the spot.

Overall a great experience!

[–] tfw_no_toiletpaper@lemmy.world -5 points 1 week ago (3 children)

Do yourself a favor and skip DS2 (for now). Return if you want to get fucked constantly and are into gank fights and other terrible mechanics. DS3 was genuinely fun and is a sequel to 1, can only recommend.

[–] anistorian@lemmy.world 7 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Thanks for the advice, but I am pretty determined to play them in order. Then DS3 can be my sweet reward afterwards.

[–] audaxdreik@pawb.social 7 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

DS2 gets unfairly hated on, and to be fair, I do think it's the worst Soulsborne, but that's just because it's a giant among titans. It's still much better than most non-From Soulslikes and does have some excellent world building. (To you windmill critics out there, THAT is the POINT! They were not stupid or confused, it's meant to evoke a dreamlike quality and this insistence that the vague, yet often connected lore NEEDS a strict interpretation is foolish. Get you some real media literacy, no shade to Vaati but things are open to many interpretations, don't just watch a video.)

If you want more of the same, it certainly delivers, just with a few warty lumps. I'd be interested in hearing your eventual opinions on it as well. And you know, nothing but up from there.

Also, DS3 heavily relies on 2. Those who say set it aside don't remember all the loving references in locations and items and themes. If they wanted to cut it and forget it, they certainly would have.

I love Dark Souls 2. I hate Dark Souls 2. Play it! /endrant

[–] anistorian@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

I am also looking forward to it. I am aware of it's reputation, so I am curious to see how it actually holds up. Worst case scenario is I hit a wall so thick I have to look up a guide, but as a starting point I want to go into it blind.

[–] BootyEnthusiast@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Horrible advice.

Play DS2. It's better than DS3

[–] tfw_no_toiletpaper@lemmy.world -1 points 1 week ago

Said like 5 people ever who played it

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 6 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Nah, jump right into 2 so that way when you get to 3, it feels easy as fuck.

[–] e0qdk@reddthat.com 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I played DS2: SotFS a couple years after DS1, got my butt kicked very hard (as expected) but didn't find it as bad as people said it was. I did think that DS1's level design was better though (esp. the way areas are connected), but it still had a bunch of cool areas and interesting encounters. It's been a couple years since DS2, and I'm currently playing DS3 for the first time now and, yeah, everything up to AW was surprisingly easy compared to what I expected... The area past that gave me some issues, but I made it to HLW. After backtracking a bit, I figured out I'd missed CS and consequently the entire CotD area which I was probably supposed to find first...

[–] audaxdreik@pawb.social 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I think DS1's level design is overrated within context. Don't crucify me people, it's still brilliant, but hear me out.

What makes DS1's level design so spectacular is how intimate it is. It's deeply layered because the areas are all largely, physically stacked on top of each other due to the lore implications. This creates such tight narrative and worldbuilding it is hands down AMAZING. But you can kind of really only do that once without too closely retreading a lot of the same narrative beats and I'd honestly argue that if people thought about it a bit more, they'd realize that's not really what they want.

Now, CotD on the other hand is some of my favorite level design in any videogame ever. It's the DS1 level design but packed into a singular area because it's absolutely huge, but always wraps back around to that central bonfire somehow. Not to mention just the layout itself.

SPOILERS The way you approach through the forest and then the graveyard, one of the rare places to use infinite enemy spawns. The lighting, then up across the rooftops to open the doors and discover the weird surprise inside. Worming your way back down and then across the rafters! And while Deacons may not be the most spectacular or difficult fight in the series, the vibes are amazing and that arena has such an aura to it. SPOILERS

I'm not sure how common an opinion it is with the franchise, but I fucking love CotD. Amazing, amazing, amazing!