Summary
Since its inception in 2009 with From Software’sDemon’s Souls, theSoulslikegenre has leaned on anRPG-inspired progressionsystem, with XP and player stat upgrades, such as Vigor, Strength, and Dexterity.Leveling upin these fields upgrades health, stamina, attack, and defense, and allows the player to use higher-level weapons effectively.
This has stayed true for most From Software and Souls-inspired games, but there are a few outliers with different approaches to progression. They useskill trees, exploration-based upgrades, detailed weapon-level systems, and more. Developers have built on the classic Soulslike formula withinnovations in character levelingthat keep the genre exciting.
From Software’sSekiro: Shadows Die Twicebreaks a lot of Soulslike traditions, taking away character creation and putting players in the shoes of the Wolf. Progression is different too, replacing the array of stats to upgrade inDark Soulswith just one, Attack Power. This is increased by defeatingmajor bosses.
These bosses drop “Memories” upon defeat, which increases Wolf’s Attack Power. Health upgrades and the Posture meter are also upgraded with collection of Prayer Beads, which are found through exploration and combat.Sekirois wildly different from the other FromSoft titles, with additional changes like one dedicated main weapon, and a revival system being among the differences from the developer’s most famous titles.
2Hollow Knight
An Inversion Of Souls
Hollow Knightis a 2D Metroidvania Soulslike game that was very well-received by fans of both genres. Progression has similarities to traditional Soulslike mechanics, but there is more of a focus on exploration to increase skills, with souls from defeated enemies used for healing spells instead of leveling up.
To gain attack power and additional health, players must improve their weapon (the Nail) with currency and materials, and collect mask shards to add extra masks to their life bar.Exploring new areasunlocks new movement abilities, and Essence from defeating powerful enemies unlocks unique weapon skills.Hollow Knightkeeps players engaged with deep systems tied to exploration.
The sequel to the popularFallen Orderputs players back in the shoes of Jedi Cal Kestis. Character progression is performed through a detailed skill tree, with unlocks for lightsaber combat, force skills, and survivability. It also doubles down on visual customization with added cosmetics, Lightsaber designs, clothing options, and more.
TheJediseries is praised for itsSoulslike combatand level design, but takes a very different route from more traditional Souls-inspired games. The extensive stats of theDark Soulsseries are refined into a skill tree that encourages more exploration and combat instead of level grinding and tweaking stats in menus.
The second installment of theBlasphemousseries is much like the first in that it forgoes XP-based leveling and rewards exploration. It builds on the previous game’s systemby giving the player three weaponsto upgrade and use, instead of just one. The weapons each have a skill tree with new abilities and passive upgrades.
Three may seem like too few weapons for some players, but the many items around the map provide buffs and upgrades that can offer plenty of build variety. These items are Rosary Beads, Prayers, and Altarpieces of Favours. The system allows players to switch out different abilities and buffs freely to counter certain areas and enemies.
Following up onNioh 2, Team Ninja returned to the Soulslike genre withWo Long, a game that has a very different approach to player and enemy levels. Replacing XP and standard levels is the Morale Rank system. This stat caps at just 25 and increases damage and health. It rises when defeating enemies, but drops upon death.
Fighting enemies with a much higher Morale Rank will beincredibly difficult. Exploring levels and finding Battle Flags that raise the Fortitude stat will prevent drastic falls in rank.Wo Longalso features the Virtues system, which boosts individual skills based on the Elements, such as Fire, Water, and Earth, as opposed to traditional Strength, Dexterity, etc.
