Summary
RPGs have always been an incredibly popular genre of video games, and in recent years, a subgenre of it has taken over the world with its stardom. Soulslikes have become an offshoot of RPGs, withElden Ringtaking the subgenre mainstream, followed by other games delving into it as well, identifying themselves as a soulslike.
It makes for quite a versatile subgenre, with different elements of other genres finding a place in such games. Of these, roguelite elements can cross over quite nicely with soulslikes and have even found some ground with the pioneers of the subgenre, FromSoftware. Of course, there are other games to try such a combination of genres, not just FromSoft, and portray gameplay in ways that can make fans of either genre, or both, interested in playing them.
Dark Devotionis a mix of different game genres, with both soulslike and roguelite elements. It is represented chiefly as a metroidvania, being a 2D sidescroller as is the case for such games.
However, the setting and aesthetic of the game very much fit the bill of a soulslike, with a dark fantasy world for players to journey through.Exploration is a main aspect ofDark Devotion, with players uncovering parts of the story via discovery rather than a traditional narrated narrative.
The combat also takes after soulslikes, with invincibility frames whilst dodging, stamina conservation, blocking, and parrying. The roguelite elements with the exploration, as players will be exploring dungeons and attempting to develop their character. Various perks and equipment will be needed to take on bosses, and if the player dies, they will respawn weakened, with their equipment gone.
Mortal Shell, base game, is just a soulslike, inspired byDark Souls. It features difficulty that has become synonymous with soulslikes, a dark fantasy setting, and a focus on melee combat.
However,Mortal Shellintroduced a roguelike game mode withThe Virtuous CycleDLC, made purposely for repeating different runs. Normal for roguelikes, the DLC introduced a new mechanic that gives numerous buffs and improvements to available abilities. These buffs can stay for a cycle, with a large amount of variation for the player to pursue.
Remnant: From The Ashespossessed some slight roguelite elements in the base game such as a unique randomized progression order. However, it didn’t showcase more roguelite elements beyond this.
The Survival Mode introduced with theSwamp of CorsusDLCchanged this, offering a roguelike mode where players start with a pistol and can earn equipment through different acquisitions to help them progress. Mysterious Tomes can be used to unlock Traits, giving special passive abilities, while Glowing Fragments will be kept if the player dies, which can help acquire special equipment.
Bloodbornedoesn’t possess roguelite elements in its regular gameplay, following the similar progression formula FromSoft identifies with. Instead, the roguelite elements can be found inthe optional Chalice Dungeonsaccessed via the Hunter’s Dream.
Players can enter a plethora of procedurally generated or fixed dungeons in attempts to obtain valuable items and battle unique bosses. There are checkpoints found throughout the dungeons, special enemies that continuously spawn other enemies, traps that can kill the player, levers to access more of the dungeon, and an opulent amount of blood echoes that can be acquired. Of course, beingBloodborne, players will progress through these dungeons in gameplay from the developers that pioneered the subgenre, thus being the definition of a soulslike with roguelite elements.
3Arboria
A More Standard Conception Of A Soulslike
Arboriais a game that describes itself as a roguelite with soulslike combat, both of which are apparent. Some of these elements of a soulslike is the emphasis placed on dodging, and anestus flask-like healing method.
Meanwhile, the roguelite elements are even more apparent, where the game tasks players with making their way through procedurally generated levels. Once a run ends via death, players will keep their abilities achieved but will play with a different new character, and improve them to continue progression.
2Devil Slayer - Raksasi
A Unique Combination Of Soulslike And Roguelike
While soulslikes are usually categorized by a third-person camera angle, it isn’t necessarily an inhibitor. Some soulslikes have been from a sidescroller perspective, butDevil Slayer - Raksasiis played from the top-down, fighting with the use of dodging and melee combat, as per usual for a game of the subgenre.
The game presents itself as a roguelike with the usual categorization for such a title in the genre. Players will repeat different runs to become stronger and unlock more features. Progressing will unlock avenues to survive and continue fighting, with the levels branching off into a less linear structure once certain bosses have been defeated.
Curse of the Dead Godsisn’t exactly a soulslike, being a roguelike instead, with many defining elements of such a game. However, it features some elements belonging to a soulslike, despite not definitively being such a game, and is regarded extremely highly as a result.
Stated as skill-based,Curse of the Dead Godsputs a focus on stamina conservation, with attacks and dodges requiring stamina. Dodging into an enemy attack counts as a perfect dodge, reminiscent of soulslike gameplay, and also replenishes stamina. Parrying is also another avenue reminiscent of soulslikes, which will also reward stamina once a parry is accomplished. Of course, similar to a soulslike, players will need to stop attacking and dodging to recharge stamina to continue battling various enemies found throughout a run.
