Many genre-defining games have been released so far this decade, including Baldur's Gate 3, Astro Bot, and the Soulslike masterpiece Elden Ring. FromSoftware's magnum opus takes everything the developer learned while creating it Dark souls trilogy, bloody, and axe, and transports him to an absolutely massive open world that is packed from top to bottom with mysteries to discover and puzzle over.
Battle System FromSoftware is basically a brand unto itself at this point. Stamina meters, gear loads, limited healing items, and predictable but challenging enemy attack patterns are so recognizable that they defined Soulslike genre. While Elden Ring is probably the pinnacle of the genre, that doesn't mean it has the best Soulslike combat system. To be clear, these next five games are not better than Elden Ring when taken as a whole. What they have over FromSoftware's greatest work is a more refined, accurate and/or exciting combat system.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
There is no such thing as a perfect Parry sequence
Elden Ring provides almost countless weapons that players can master during gameplay. From standard weapon types to unique weapons with their own movesets, you'll consistently beat boredom by simply switching to a new weapon and spinning it around. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice takes exactly the opposite approach. Players have only one weapon throughout the game, Wolf's katana, and aim to master it inside and out before rolling credits. Part of that mastery process is to deal with it An axe robust deflection mechanism. Almost every enemy attack can be parried with a well-timed button press. However, since this is also a FromSoftware game, these enemy attacks come fast and furious and parrying them requires precise timing and a combination of patience and confidence.
When it all comes together, it's one of the most satisfying combat mechanics in gaming. Elden Ring offers it to some extent if players pick up Deflection Hardtear from Scorched Ruins v Shadow of Erdtree DLC, but its effect lasts only 5 minutes and is not as accurate as An axe system. Meantime, An axe it also features prosthetic tools that do everything from spitting flames to transforming into a giant axe, and a grappling hook that players can use to shoot enemies or knock them off balance. Where Elden Ring offers unrivaled variety, Secretary features a refined combat system with every moment of the game designed to take advantage of Wolf's unique combat abilities.
Nine Sols
The perfect combination of precision platforming and purposeful combat
Speaking of deflection mechanics, where An axe requires pattern recognition and trust, Nine Sols requires players to master the art of timing. Deflections are only one aspect of combat, and when they're all inside axe, here they are more a means to an end. Tanking enemies isn't really a viable strategy, but it's not completely ineffective either. However, neglecting to learn how diversions work is a recipe for disaster, as bosses in Nine Sols they are not mistaken. In addition to deflecting, players must master dashes (both on the ground and in the air), grab ability, arrows with various effects, and Yi's signature talismans. These are something like Nine Sols the equivalent of spells. Yi can place a talisman on the enemy after successfully parrying an attack, and after a short delay the talisman will explode. They are the most effective method of dealing damage in the game, but they are difficult to master.
Nine Sols outduels Elden Ring by keeping things simple. The aforementioned mechanics are pretty much all that players need to care about, but unless they develop an almost instinctive understanding of these mechanics, finishing the game is a dream. Elden Ring may have a huge variety of different combat abilities and weapon options, but players are never forced to master any of them in the same way Nine Sols requirements. The reward for achieving this mastery is an almost euphoric sense of accomplishment, as the final test comes in the form of the game's final boss, and is one of the toughest final boss fights in gaming history.
Lies P
Pinocchio Souls
Elden Ring benefits the player's expression. The aforementioned variety of weapons is one aspect, but there's also a vast library of spells and incantations for players to explore. Then there are Ashes of War, weapon skills, and Physick flasks that can contribute to how players create their ideal build. However, there is so many with so much to choose from and a constant stream of new options to consider, it can all feel a bit aimless, with players never quite figuring out the perfect tools for their build until the second or third playthrough. Lies P it offers a similar degree of player expression, but focuses that creativity by allowing them to experiment with new weapons while still sticking to the things they liked about their previous weapon choice.
It does this by allowing players to combine parts from two different weapons, namely the Blade and the Handle. Both of these weapon parts come with associated skills called Fable Arts. The blades usually have offensive Fable Arts, while the hilts carry defensive ones. This description may seem simplistic, but this system opens the door for players to create some truly wild weapon combinations. The best part is that these creations are entirely the player's own. This isn't just a result of being handed a new weapon through exploration; it's a way for players to put their personal stamp on the weapon they'll be wielding throughout the game, and it's immensely satisfying to put one together and achieve success against a tough enemy. Lies P also features something of a block/deflect mechanic (a trend here), though nowhere near as comprehensive as what's seen in An axe or nine solos still exceeds Elden Ring Hardtear Warp.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
The Tainted cannot compete with the Force
Force powers are simply the best. There are plenty of enviable superpowers in pop culture, but next to Wolverine's claws, Spider-Man's web-swinging, and Superman's… everything, the Jedi Knight's abilities are what most people would love to fool around with, if only for a day. That's exactly it Star Wars Jedi offers series and between two items published so far, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a more complete game in almost every way, from the story to the world and of course the combat.
Multiple lightsaber styles (or “stances”) are the main focus here. There's a dual-bladed option like Darth Maul, a twin Stance saber like Ahsoka, and a greatsword-like lightsaber with a Kylo Ren-like hilt to name a few. Then there are the powers of the Force. There is nothing to reinvent Star Wars franchise here, but from the Force Pull and Push to the Force Lift and Slam, grabbing a Stormtrooper and throwing them off a cliff (or into one of their buddies) never gets old, and it feels like Elden Ring it just can't be compared. The only exception is boss battles. For all the joy Jedi: Survivor combat brings, its boss battles are not bad exactly, but they are also not really satisfactory; certainly not up to par Elden Ring. It doesn't feel right to bemoan a boss with a lightsaber and watch him tank every hit while his health gauge ticks away. It certainly fits the Soulslike formula, but it doesn't really fit Star Wars formula.
Black Myth: Wukong
More combat mechanics you could ever use
It wasn't clear exactly what kind of game it was until almost right before release Black Myth: Wukong was. It clearly had stunning visuals and was based on a classic Chinese novel Journey to the West but other than that, the actual playstyle was pretty ambiguous. Turns out it was because there is so much gameplay crammed into this game that it wouldn't be possible to promote even a fraction of it. It is, however, Soulslike, even if it doesn't quite religiously adhere to the genre formula. Sometimes it even feels like a boss rush game, but they can all be Soulslike to be fair.
Player progression and specifically skill progression is perfectly crafted Black Myth: Wukong. Players are constantly unlocking new abilities, transformations, ghost attacks, stances, spells, and weapon skills throughout the game, and each can be seamlessly engaged in combat. It may seem like a lot – and it is – but very few of these unlocks are mandatory or necessary to progress. Instead, players can often stick with methods that work for them and succeed, or try some new spells and transformations to freshen things up. The reason why it overcomes Elden Ring is that the variety of combat is always at the player's fingertips. There's no need to upgrade a newly acquired weapon or its respective stats just to try using it. Players will need to equip their chosen skills and spells, but that's about as much effort as Black Myth: Wukong it requires them to change things. All that diversity is supposed to be a suggestion, but unlike in elden ring, this proposal can be accepted without having to run errands first.
- Released
-
February 25, 2022
- ESRB
-
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
