Gaming trends come and go, but players can often try out dozens of titles chasing those trends before they die out. Battle royale games and hero shooters tend to be very common these days, with Soullike games right behind them. Aside from the work of genre-pioneering FromSoftware, there's a healthy mix of AAA attempts and indie developers trying to make it big by releasing SoulSight or Soullike on Steam. This seems to be exactly what solo developer Maruko does with his games. forgotten bloodBut the spirits-like boom isn't the only upward trend the game is leaning towards.
Gaming trends are not limited to genres, but can also apply to settings, mechanics, and art styles. One final point worth emphasizing is this: forgotten bloodThat's because the game's visuals embrace the increasingly popular PS1 aesthetic. This approach has been used in several indie horror titles to recreate the somewhat unsettling atmosphere of the low-poly models of the original PlayStation, and can mask games without the resources to make them look cutting-edge. It might seem strange to think that the PS1 is considered retro, but the console is now over 30 years old, and graphics have come a long way in that time. People who miss the 90s video game vibe will find this game a nostalgic experience. forgotten bloodUpcoming Steam titles offering Souls-like gameplay could help grab the attention of modern audiences.
A glance at the features of forgotten blood
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Fight against challenging enemies befitting a dark fantasy environment.
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Loot the fragile vase and hidden chest.
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Find the illusion walls and discover hidden areas.
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Interact with NPC merchants for knowledge and upgrades.
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Explore an open map with branching paths.
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Experience a story of salvation and survival.
In a world shattered by an ancient and terrible curse, a lone adventurer has the power to rewrite its fate. Journey through a corrupted land to find a cure to break the ultimate cycle of death.
Forgotten blood is drowning in soul-like inspiration
The game's first-person perspective, which will be released in 2026, clearly marks a significant change from FromSoftware's work, but there are several aspects of the title that are directly inspired by the studio's work. Elements of the HUD, such as item selection in the bottom left corner, are displayed in exactly the same way as you would see in the Soulslike genre. The same goes for “unforgivable” combat, another staple of the genre, and the level of challenge will help keep players on edge as they make their way through the Forgotten Valley.
Plus, the game's premise feels like it was taken straight out of FromSoftware's book of game ideas. Players control a “lonely wanderer” who is looking for a cure to “break the ultimate cycle of death.” It's unclear what exactly players are trying to unlock, but in the process they'll be able to gather knowledge about what happened to the world they're exploring. They'll also be able to interact and trade with at least one NPC, and while we don't yet know how deep this particular interaction will be, developer Maruko will likely use this to pique player interest in the game's backstory. forgotten blood.
As if fantastic settings, tough combat, and vague storytelling aren't enough to create an experience like FromSoftware, there's also exploration to consider. The trailer attached to the game's Steam page showcases all the best parts of exploring the FromSoftware game. If players are thorough enough, they will be able to find chests in corners or hidden behind wagons, as well as phantom walls that hide more loot. And while players will destroy them with their weapons instead of dodging and avoiding them, they too will want to destroy every vase they come across because they can keep the loot. There are few details about the structure of the world, but it sounds like it's “open to branching paths”: dark soul than the series Elden Ring — The game seems to tick all the same boxes as Soul when it comes to exploration.
With the use of AI in video games becoming more controversial than ever, Maruko made it clear that the voices in the game's intro and several in-game icons were enhanced with AI. However, the icons are AI-enhanced versions of Maruko's own creations, and these assets are only temporary and will eventually be phased out in full releases.
Forgotten Blood's aesthetic gives it the edge it needs to stand out.
With so many indie souls releases out there, let alone AAA stuff. Duskblood and P's lieAs the sequel to , it's more important than ever for game makers to make their work stand out in this space. Fortunately, forgotten blood That's exactly what we're doing. For starters, there's the first-person perspective that immediately sets the game apart from third-person soul-loving seas. But more important is the aforementioned visual style of the PS1.
There is something special when you see it forgotten blood Actually, especially in that environment. Like FromSoftware's games, the sense of epic is achieved through scale, such as massive entrances and towers towering over the player characters. Achieving this kind of atmosphere was something that wasn't common in actual PS1-era games, and it was a huge help to the game's creation. forgotten blood A fascinating hybrid of new and old. Despite the PS1's coat of paint, some locations in the trailer are jaw-droppingly beautiful. If the combat is satisfying, this Steam game can really surprise players, as the intentionally old-fashioned-looking world already uses it to its advantage. Combining the PS1's aesthetic with a genre that debuted long after the console hit store shelves is a great concept, and if this game is successful, perhaps more old-school soul lovers will follow.
