Liputan6.com, Jakarta - One video game genre that is increasingly popular among gamers is the Soulslike, known for its high difficulty, challenging combat, and in-depth exploration.
This genre, inspired by the Dark Souls series, now comes in various forms, including 2D side-scrolling games that combine fast-paced action with RPG elements.
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Players are challenged to master enemy attack patterns, stamina management, and strategize to survive in a brutal world.
The interconnected, secret-filled level design is also a major draw, keeping players engaged.
Blasphemous
Blasphemous is a brutal action-platformer featuring skillful hack 'n' slash combat, set in the horrific world of Cvstodia.
Players control The Penitent One, the sole survivor of the 'Silent Sorrow' massacre, condemned to an endless cycle of death and rebirth.
The game offers non-linear exploration, challenging combat against massive enemies, and a deep customization system.
Soulslike elements in Blasphemous include punishing combat, where death results in the player losing 'Tears of Atonement' (in-game currency) at the site of death, which must be retrieved.
Death's Gambit: Afterlife
Death's Gambit: Afterlife is an expanded and overhauled version of the 2D action-RPG Death's Gambit.
In this game, players take on the role of an agent of Death, tasked with ending immortality in Siradon.
The Afterlife version adds 10 new levels, 22 new bosses, an updated talent system, and numerous other quality-of-life improvements, making for a richer experience.
Its Soulslike aspects are evident in the optional 'Death's Vows' system for increasing difficulty, the loss of retrievable 'Shards' (currency) upon death, and the interconnected level design with numerous shortcuts and secrets.
Salt and Sanctuary
Salt and Sanctuary is a 2D action-RPG that combines brutal and complex combat with exploration of a vast, interconnected world.
Players assume the role of a sailor stranded on a mysterious island, who must survive the lurking horrors and uncover the island's secrets.
The game is often referred to as a '2D Dark Souls' due to its striking similarities in gameplay mechanics, including a stamina system essential for combat, a variety of weapons and armor, and a 'Sanctuaries' system that serve as safe points and places to level up.
Players collect 'Salt' from defeated enemies, which is used to enhance character stats.
Dead Cells
Dead Cells is a Souls-inspired roguelike, Metroidvania, where players control a failed experiment that must fight its way through an ever-changing island.
The game is known for its fast-paced, responsive combat and permanent death system, making each run a different and challenging experience.
While it features strong roguelike elements like procedurally generated levels and permanent death, Dead Cells also incorporates Souls-Like aspects.
This is evident in the challenging combat, difficult bosses, and the need to learn enemy patterns.
Players collect "Cells" from defeated enemies to unlock permanent upgrades between runs.
Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight is a critically acclaimed Metroidvania action-adventure game set in the vast and mysterious insect world of Hallownest.
Players control a silent Knight, who must explore ancient ruins, vast caverns, and ruined cities to uncover the mystery of a plague known as 'The Infection.'
The hand-drawn art style and atmospheric music create an immersive and melancholic experience, drawing players deeper into the world of Hallownest.
Soulslike elements in Hollow Knight include a 'Geo' (currency) system that is lost at the site of death and must be retrieved from the player's 'Shade.'