Beyond Grim and Gritty
Mention the word “soulslike,” and most gamers picture the same things: crushing difficulty, bleak castles, and a general sense of impending doom. It’s a formula that works, but let’s be honest, it’s also a formula that’s gotten a little… predictable. But the genre is more than just a masochist's playground. A new wave of developers is taking the core ideas-that satisfying combat loop, the intricate world-building-and running wild with them.
These upcoming titles are proving that a soulslike doesn’t have to be a miserable medieval slog. We're talking about games popping with color, packing firearms, and featuring mechanics that feel genuinely new. So, let’s look beyond the bonfire and see who’s tearing up the rulebook.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers
Right out of the gate, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers throws the standard fantasy setting out the window. This game is set in the chaotic final years of the Chinese Ming Dynasty and blends that historical backdrop with a dose of cosmic horror. You play as Bai Wuchang, a pirate warrior afflicted with a bizarre plague that gives her mysterious, bird-like powers. The combat is fast, brutal, and revolves around a slick system of transforming weapons. Honestly, a soulslike with a historical-horror twist and ornithological powers wasn’t on our bingo card, but we’re totally here for it.
The First Berserker: Khazan
If you’re tired of worlds rendered in fifty shades of grey, The First Berserker: Khazan is the antidote. This game pops off the screen with a vibrant, cel-shaded art style that feels more like a high-octane anime than a grimdark RPG. It’s billed as a hack-and-slash with soulslike DNA, which is code for “stop hiding behind your shield and get aggressive.” The story is a straightforward revenge epic, giving you a clear-cut reason to tear through armies of foes. It’s a refreshing change of pace that prioritizes stylish action and visual flair.
Project: The Perceiver
Okay, this one's for the thinkers. Project: The Perceiver is an open-world action RPG steeped in Chinese philosophy. Its standout feature is the “mask” system. Think of it like swapping your entire personality on the fly. By meeting different characters, you can consolidate their ideals into masks, which you then equip to gain entirely new combat styles and abilities. It's a system that promises deep customization and strategic variety, moving beyond simple weapon swaps into something far more cerebral. It has drawn comparisons to Sekiro, but its open world and philosophical core give it a unique identity.
Enotria: The Last Song
Let's trade grim for gorgeous. The developers of Enotria: The Last Song call it a “summer-souls,” and the name fits. Instead of a decaying kingdom, you get a world drenched in the sun and inspired by Italian folklore. The big gimmick here is the “Canovaccio,” a curse that has trapped the world in an eternal, twisted play. As the Maskless One, you can use a power called “Ardore” to literally alter reality, switching the environment to solve puzzles and expose enemy weaknesses. It’s a theater of war, for real. With over 30 masks to find and tons of build options, this is shaping up to be a beautiful and mechanically rich adventure.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
Soulslike… with guns! But it’s not just a gimmick. Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is set in a “gunpowder fantasy” world where magic and black powder collide. You play as Nor Vanek, a warrior from the coalition army, but you’re not alone. You’re accompanied by a magical, fox-like creature named Enki, who is essential for everything you do. Enki helps you in combat with magical attacks and is key for traversal, helping you zip around the world with a focus on verticality and mobility. It’s a duo-based combat system that adds a whole new layer of strategy to the familiar soulslike dance.
The Genre is Getting a Glow-Up
So, is the soulslike genre getting easier? Nope. But is it getting more interesting? Absolutely. These five games are proof that the core formula is a launchpad, not a cage. From sun-drenched shores to gunpowder-fueled battles, the future of the genre is looking brighter, bolder, and way more creative. Which of these twists are you most excited to die in? Let us know!
