Summary
It’s easy to think that, because Soulslike games are known for their difficulty, they wouldn’t be good candidates for speedruns. The exact opposite is true. It’s precisely because of the Soulslike genre’s trademark difficulty that speedrunners flock to the subgenre in the hopes of flexing their immense skill.
The best Soulslike speedruns always want to have a healthy variety of interesting glitches, visual interest, ideal length, impressive techniques, and an indescribable “wow” factor only a speedrunner can provide. Not every Soulslike game has the goods, but when a good Soulslike speedrun clicks, it’s like nothing else in the speedrunning community.
In the realm ofthe best 2D Soulslike games,Blasphemousis well regarded for its tight combat loop, digestible length, and stunning visuals. Mix its Metroidvania leanings with its crunchy combat and flashy particle effects and it’s a prime candidate for a speedrun.
In the world of Soulslike speedruns, FromSoft games understandably dominate, but indie games likeBlasphemoushold a special place for many as a scrappy underdog that’s just as good as its competition, and speedruns are a great opportunity to showcase a game that many may not try otherwise.
With the release of the PS5 came the new remake of FromSoftware’s classic gameDemon’s Soulsand the rare occasion wherea remake was reviewed better than the original game. Ostensibly the first Soulslike game to release,Demon’s Soulsis still rough around the gameplay edges on account of it not working out the kinks just yet, but the new remake is absolutely stunning in the visuals department.
Demon’s Soulsis a great Soulslike speedrun precisely because of its rough edges. Its relatively short length, brutal difficulty, and shiny new graphics make it an ideal candidate for tech showcases that show just how far the Soulslike genre has come since the game’s original release in 2009.
Hollow Knighthas become one of the best-regarded Soulslike games ever released. Its appealing art style, crunchy combat, and compelling world have beguiled players and speedrunners alike, resulting in many flocking to the leaderboards to clock the fastest time.
This game makes a great speedrun not only due to its visually evocative world but also because of a combat system that rewards extreme precision and timing alongside game-changing RPG mechanics that make every playthrough a little different. Every speedrunner turns an already beautiful game into a true spectacle.
As one of the first big-budget Soulslike games to come out in the wake of FromSoftware’s immense success, expectations were high forNioh, but it more than exceeded them (especially in terms of its brutal difficulty). These days, the game is well regarded for its unique evocation of Japanese mythology and history with a unique twist on the Soulslike formula.
Though the game is maybe a little long for some speedrunners, its flashy combat system and complex RPG mechanics result in combat builds that can melt formidable bosses in seconds, making it one of the most entertaining speedruns to watch and execute.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twicewas a risk for FromSoftware in a lot of ways, primarily because they ditched their trademark RPG systems in favor of much more constrained but focused action gameplay. That means that the only way throughSekiro: Shadows Die Twice’s tough bosses is to master its parry and dodge mechanics or suffer.
Luckily, mastery is the bread and butter of the speedrunning trade. After all,Sekirois easily one of thebest Soulslike games for fast-paced combat. Speedrunners will make your jaw drop in disbelief as they crush the ferocious bosses ofSekirowith a series of perfectly timed parries that would make an Olympic athlete look clumsy. It’s truly a sight to behold.
While many Soulslikes have been clearly inspired byDark Soulsand FromSoftware’s fantasy fare,Lies of Pis the strongest example of aBloodborneinheritor. That means thatLies of Pis chock full of aggression, precise parries, and visceral combat that values bold moves over careful defense, making itone of the hardest Soulslikes released in recent years.
For some players, that aggression can be too much. For speedrunners, aggression, and high-risk strategies are the secret sauce for a great run. WatchingLies of Pspeedrunning is a total bloodbath, but it’s always entertaining to watch.
Not much can beat the original. ThoughDark Soulshas aged since its original 2011 release date, it has a storied and thriving speedrunning community that has fostered a welcoming community full of runners all around the world.
It’s not just a delight to see the game that started the Soulslike mania be beaten as if it’s the easiest game in the world (particularly as it hassome incredibly difficult boss fights), but each speedrun is built off more than a decade of hard work and the community’s love for the game and their shared spirit is evident in the fastest speedruns topping the leaderboards today.
WhileDark Soulsand other Soulslikes cater to defensive combat,Bloodbornedemands aggression, speed, and ferocity. For speedrunners, that’s like catnip. There’s no doubt that despite being limited to just the PS4 platform,Bloodbornespeedruns are a special spectacle that indulges in the blood and guts of its horrific world as they carve throughthe most powerful bosses in the game.
When a speedrunner takes the reins of the protagonist hunter, it’s hard not to see why they’re considered such ferocious warriors in the world of Yarnham. Speedrunners make this great game look even better, and it’s easily one of the best Soulslike speedruns around.
