Lords of the Fallen: The Definitive Soulslike Experience

Lords of the Fallen has a history in the Soulslike subgenre that may not be widely known among fans. Compounded by a developer switch and a new title for the sequel, this history has become more obscure and confusing. However, the upcoming successor already appears to offer a polished dark fantasy experience that fans of FromSoftware's action-RPGs have come to expect from imitators. Unfortunately, the original Lords of the Fallen from Deck13 received fewer positive reviews due to its lackluster execution, failing to deliver on the high standards set by FromSoftware's Soulslike games. It remains to be seen whether Hexworks' Lords of the Fallen will fare any better, but it is already generating positive buzz during its pre-release marketing due to the popularity of the Soulslike genre.

Lords of the Fallen Was Mostly Ill-Received, But Its Sequel Outweighs That Comparison

While Lords of the Fallen is not a bad game, it falls short when compared to the games that served as its inspiration. The game attempts to replicate the structure of FromSoftware's titles, but lacks the same level of creativity when it comes to enemy encounters and boss fights. This ultimately exposes the game's weaknesses, highlighting the stark contrast between it and FromSoftware's masterpieces. Additionally, it is understandable that some fans may have been disappointed with Lords of the Fallen simply because it wasn't Dark Souls. This criticism was especially valid when the game was released in 2014, just a few years after Dark Souls and shortly before the launch of Dark Souls 2.

With the emergence of numerous Soulslike games in recent years, game developers have gained a greater understanding of what aspects make these games exceptional. As a result, upcoming games like Hexworks and CI Games' Lords of the Fallen show promise as worthy successors to FromSoftware's titles. This shift in the industry and fans' reception to non-FromSoftware Soulslikes suggests a desire for healthy competition within the subgenre, while the quality of these games serves as ample incentive for players to explore them.

The attention to detail in the art direction of Soulslikes like Lies of P and Lords of the Fallen is impressive, and it's clear that a lot of effort has gone into making these games visually stunning. While graphics alone aren't enough to make a great Soulslike, they do play a significant role in building the immersive worlds that fans of the genre love. FromSoftware games may not be known for their graphical prowess, but this is an area where imitators could potentially excel if they have the resources. While Lords of the Fallen's dark fantasy visuals are certainly appealing, it remains to be seen if the game can deliver on the gameplay front.

Lords of the Fallen launches on October 13 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.