The Souls-like Genre

[Mikey the Moblin]

"open world" and "souls-like" genres completely incompatible.

I think there's a ton of similarity between soulslikes and metroidvanias. So would you consider metroidvanias open world?

 

[Bowsette Plus-Ultra]

An interconnected, dungeon-like world has been an element present in all the souls games, as well as Bloodborne and Sekiro. Even in similar games like Code Vein and Darksiders 3. It's not a stretch to say that it's also something that defines a "souls-like". However, if we say that, it basically makes the "open world" and "souls-like" genres completely incompatible. Which doesn't seem entirely right.

I don't think the world structure is necessarily what makes a Souls-like. I'd chalk it up to the specific gameplay mechanics I listed before. Heck, Elden Ring isn't even the first open world Souls-like game. The first 3D one was (I think) Ashen.

 

[5teelPriest]

I think there's a ton of similarity between soulslikes and metroidvanias. So would you consider metroidvanias open world?

I agree that there's a ton of similarities between the two. I wouldn't consider metroidvania to be open world, though.

I don't think the world structure is necessarily what makes a Souls-like. I'd chalk it up to the specific gameplay mechanics I listed before. Heck, Elden Ring isn't even the first open world Souls-like game. The first 3D one was (I think) Ashen.

I've never looked at Ashen. I'll have to lay some eyes on it.

 

[Mikey the Moblin]

I agree that there's a ton of similarities between the two. I wouldn't consider metroidvania to be open world, though.

The same constraints that apply to metroidvanias to prevent them from being open world also apply to soulslikes by my definition

 

[Bowsette Plus-Ultra]

I've never looked at Ashen. I'll have to lay some eyes on it.

I think it's worthwhile. I like that your main settlement builds up as you progress further. My biggest complaint is the sharp difficulty spike in the final area.

 

[5teelPriest]

I think it's worthwhile. I like that your main settlement builds up as you progress further. My biggest complaint is the sharp difficulty spike in the final area.

Might give it a shot once I'm done with Elden Ring. Though that might be a while. I just recently got my invisible enemies bug under control and cleared Stormveil Castle. I'm a bit behind.

The same constraints that apply to metroidvanias to prevent them from being open world also apply to soulslikes by my definition

I see what you mean. Would you consider Sekiro a soulslike despite it being more of an action game then an rpg?

 

[Mikey the Moblin]

I see what you mean. Would you consider Sekiro a soulslike despite it being more of an action game then an rpg?

Nope! Sekiro isn't a soulslike to me, exactly for the reason you state. Soulslikes are subgenres of arpgs or wrpgs and sekiro is clearly an action/adventure game (and also my favorite fromsoft game to date)

 

[5teelPriest]

Nope! Sekiro isn't a soulslike to me, exactly for the reason you state. Soulslikes are subgenres of arpgs or wrpgs and sekiro is clearly an action/adventure game (and also my favorite fromsoft game to date)

Gotcha. It's my favorite, too. Though admittedly, that might only be because I play on PC and have therefore never played Bloodborne. I have a soft spot for horror. Especially of the vaguely Lovecraftian variety. Also, Sekiro was the only one I got good enough at to consider speedrunning.

I didn't do it. But I thought about it.

 

[Mikey the Moblin]

I feel like you've applied a bit too strict a formula to a Souls-like. The key components of it are less strict and have more to do with a distinct roll system, the bonfires, difficulty, and experience lost on death. Everything else is nebulous.

so pokemon legends arceus is a soulslike?

nah

 

[5teelPriest]

so pokemon legends arceus is a soulslike?

nah

All those things are in a pokemon game? Man, it's been a long time since I've played any pokemon I guess. I'm getting to old for this.

 

[Bowsette Plus-Ultra]

so pokemon legends arceus is a soulslike?

nah

I don't think Pokemon has ever had the necessary difficulty to qualify.

 

[Mikey the Moblin]

I don't think Pokemon has ever had the necessary difficulty to qualify.

arceus game was comparably difficult to me

 

[Bowsette Plus-Ultra]

arceus game was comparably difficult to me

I'm not saying there isn't some degree of difficulty to Arceus, but... it is Pokemon.