FromSoftware existed before it was released. devil's soul in 2009, but it was that game that really got the ball rolling. This led to the birth of a spiritual successor. dark soulA trilogy that many consider to be one of the greatest works in modern gaming history. The visceral combat, character and class customization, and world design are second to none.
A Soulslike game with better combat than Dark Souls
Dark Souls is important to the Soulslike genre, but does it have the best combat? Or can other Soulslikes win?
Yes. It's hard and unforgiving, but it's also deeply rewarding. All three have good and bad points. dark soul stratagem. There are five other franchises that do a few things better than here. dark soul Some areas don't diminish the positive aspects of the series in any way.
Rearranges covers into correct US release order.
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Rearranges covers into correct US release order.
Easy (5)Medium (7)Difficult (10)
Nio
samurai souls
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First game: Nioh (PC and PS4, 2017)
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Latest Console Game: Nioh 3 (PC and PS5, 2026)
that Nio Franchise started after dark soulAnd this is a good thing to mention now. thank you nio 3 Newly released. Each game is different, but follows a similar theme, such as being set in ancient Japan and featuring samurai fighting demons in large, open maps. The landscape is horizontal rather than vertical. dark soul stratagem. The theme is what makes Nioh more appealing from the jump, as there are so many Japanese historical games, especially dark fantasy games, without a lot of samurai games. this is helpful Nio Stick out more. The samurai genre is making a comeback, but it's still not as rich as dark fantasy, but not everyone can agree.
Beyond Samurai vs. Knight, Neo's The gameplay styles are also different. Instead of players acquiring specific weapons, equipment is mostly randomly selected. Niolike a trophy diablo adventure. Not only can players work on increasing their character's stats, but they can also find the best loot that can change how their builds work. Every character will be aided by several magical abilities, such as Spirits, which work in different ways throughout the game. in nio 3They can assist with stealth takedowns, grant stat boosts, and even send players into a temporary power state. Dragon Ball Z Japanese cartoon movie. Moreover, in nio 3Players can switch between samurai and ninja classes. This means players can switch between builds on the fly. Nio It surpasses the franchise's more rigorous design of character building. dark soul stratagem. Of all the things that are done differently, class switching is something FromSoftware needs to remove from Nioh. dark soul 4.
Monster Hunter
The power of cooperatives
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First game: Monster Hunter (PS2, 2004)
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Latest Console Game: Monster Hunter Wilds (PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, 2025)
Monster Hunter It started on the PS2 in 2004 and has stayed true to its design for over a decade. Players can create a hunter, equip it with armor and weapons, and then hunt monsters like bosses alone or with friends online, upgrading their equipment over time. The map has been divided into small areas: Monster Hunter: World In 2018, everything changed and the environment became more open. Between those games, Monster Hunter Riseand monster hunter wildThe new generation can easily compete with anyone. dark soul game. Like Souls-type games in general, this is a difficult action RPG that almost requires multiplayer to get anywhere. That means it's a lot less complicated to jump into someone else's game to ask for support or help them hunt.
8 video game franchises that are virtually dead
Could this dormant franchise return 10 years after the release of Ninja Gaiden?
Weapon variety gives players 14 to choose from, each with a branching path that can be turned into a normal weapon or converted into an elemental weapon. Weapons are like classes in other games, each has a learning curve, and people who find a weapon they like will really go all out with it, adding a variety of characteristics within the game. Monster Hunter series. As the game is more difficult, the atmosphere is also very different. Because the hunters are a solid group that supports each other in camp without any dark energy around them. Additionally, Palico companions are adorable, whether running alone with the player or staying in camp to prepare food. overhead, Monster Hunter It encourages a sense of adventure with the challenging nature of the hunts, and the multiplayer really sets it apart from other games. dark soul. The repetitive nature of monsters is also a plus. dark soul The game will help you.
hollow knight
deep knowledge from deep inside
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First game: Hollow Knight (PC, 2017)
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Latest Console Game: Hollow Knight: Silksong (PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Switch 2, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, 2025)
There are only two games in this franchise to date. hollow knight and Hollow Knight: SilksongBut both are 10/10 experiences that showcase the best elements of what makes Soulslikes and Metroidvanias good. The atmosphere of the first game was very similar to any other game. dark soulThe player was a nameless bug, a knight with no memory and unable to speak. The knowledge gained through notes and NPCs helped populate this dark underworld that once belonged to a great civilization before everything was mysteriously destroyed. Additionally, when a player dies, they leave behind upgrades and fiat currency. dark soulSo, in addition to paying homage to Metroidvanias with its interconnected maps and power-based progression, it's easy to see how Hollow Knight was inspired by it. Hollow Knight: Silksong is a great example of how the series has evolved beyond the slow pace of movement and combat. dark soul Hornet, the game's new protagonist, had a slimmer physique.
Her attacks were faster, she moved between zones faster, and she could even speak. The map was also open-ended, giving players greater choice as there were more paths to follow in order. It may sound like you're just comparing, but Hollow Knight and Hollow Knight: SilksongBut it all applies dark Souls, do. What did you really make? Hollow Knight: Silksong I enjoyed the story more because it set it up better without players having to read or watch so much in-depth analysis online. Hornet can encounter more towns or HUB areas that are well designed and have a variety of colorful NPCs, adding more color to the game. That's what I'm sharing hollow knight, Both games also do better in terms of narrative. dark soulThose NPCs are more moody and lack any kind of vibrancy most of the time.
diablo
hell comes to town
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First game: Diablo (PC, 1997)
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Latest Console Game: Diablo 4 (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, 2023)
that diablo The series doesn't offer the same level of challenge as the series at first. dark soul It's a game, but it has a deep, dark lore system that makes the two franchises comparable. diablo Launching as a PC series in 1997, it was thought by many to have originated the idea of loot-based dungeon crawling, and the system was improved upon in the 2000 sequel. In every game, players can choose their class and dive into dungeons alone or with an online party, slaying hundreds of demonic forces with their usual attacks, skills, and spells. Although the setting and story change with each sequel, the entire franchise features a war between Heaven and Hell. The human world is always caught in the middle. dark soul.
A gaming franchise that may have already reached its peak
Despite still being great, these franchises have probably already released groundbreaking games.
As the franchise progresses, connecting with others becomes increasingly easier. Additionally, the latest items include Diablo 4It introduced many great features that helped it keep up with the times, including more diverse and branched classes, a character creator, and open world design. There aren't many top-down open world games. Diablo 4 A neat little outlier. As a developer, Blizzard always does a good job of keeping their games relevant after release thanks to patches and expansions. This will keep players more engaged in checking out new content and replaying to reach new difficulties. while dark soul It has to be acknowledged that the game is expandable and that although it is small in size by comparison, fans are still engaged nonetheless.
castlevania
What is a man?
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First game: Castlevania (NES, 1986)
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Latest Console Game: Haunted Castle Revisited (PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S, 2024)
castlevania It is one of the longest-running video game franchises of all time, having debuted in Japan in 1986 on the Famicom equivalent of the NES. As time passed, its reputation diminished compared to before. dark soulMany gothic horror action titles have been heavily influenced by it. castlevaniaat diablo to dark soul. Most entries feature the Belmont clan as they pursue Dracula in a castle that constantly evolves over time. The golden age of the franchise began with its release in 1997. Castlevania: Symphony of the NightIt helped establish the Metroidvania genre. metroid It was all about following the interconnected map and exploring with new powers. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Added RPG elements such as leveling up and gear system. This golden age continued with its launch in 2008. Castlevania: Church of EcclesiaAnd after that the franchise kind of got out of control.
There's never been really great 3D before. castlevania game, so dark soul You have the right to win. overhead, castlevania That work is about seeking grace. dark soul It helped perfect the Soulslike formula. castlevania It was cool to make an action game set in horror. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night A metroidvania model was introduced. The deep knowledge of history has been well implemented in several seasons of the Netflix anime adaptation, showing just how cool it is to be able to become a vampire/demon slayer over time. The real coup de grace is the music, which helps set the mood between energetic tracks that make you feel like you're hunting a monster, and gloomy tracks that evoke foreboding. even the best dark soul' Operatic anthems can't compare to tracks like Vampire Killer or Bloody Tears. castlevaniahas been expertly remixed by fans for decades.
A once great FPS game franchise that lost its identity over time.
Can these FPS franchises become bigger and better than before, or are they doomed?
