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- Soulslike concepts have become extremely frequent lately, occupying every genre to the point of exhaustion.
- Soulslikes completely overshadowed character action games, but that’s about to change.
- Onimusha, Tides of Annihilation, and Lost Soul Aside mark the return of action games.
At what point does a genre become so oversaturated that it slowly loses the charm it once held? When everyone in the industry thinks “This is the way to go” and starts producing so much of it that every subsequent entry makes you wonder when will a refreshing take on a different topic appear.
Inspiration from a trendy approach is good but when it becomes oversaturated, even love can turn into hatred. Believe it or not, this is what happened with “Soulslikes”. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a die-hard Souls fan, but even I know that it had gone on long enough. It’s good to see a change with these action games upcoming.
Why it matters: With every game becoming Soulslike lately—even action games being pseudo-Soulslikes—the return of character action is a much-needed breath of fresh air.
Enough With The Soulslikes, Please
Lately, it’s been one Soulslike after another. FromSoftware’s masterpiece of a series is so beloved and popular that everyone wants a piece of it. I can’t really blame them, considering how glorious of a concept it is, and how perfectly FromSoftware executes it in its gems.
FromSoftware and its works deserve all the renown they can get, and I know all these inspirations are the highest form of praise, but everything in moderation is key. Even the most avid enjoyers of a product will lose their interest when consistently fed the same thing.
Besides, it doesn’t help that no one could match FromSoftware’s mastery of the formula. Yes, Lies of P came extremely close, which is a massive feat, but not every imitation is capable of those heights. Thus, not only is it an oversaturation, but weak and uninteresting games are running amok.
Now now, don’t call me a hater just yet. I’m not saying all those hardworking devs lack talent. It’s just they’re trying to copy a popular concept which might not be their strength. Who knows, they might be unrivaled experts in another genre.
Character Action Games Are Back
The problem is not just dedicated Soulslikes, but how these mechanics have seeped into other genres as well. Games that aren’t fundamentally Soulslikes also want to capitalize; we have Platformers, Shooters, Rouguelites, and even Action games that feature Souls mechanics, which further adds to the oversaturation.
Soulslikes are spreading to other genres besides standard action games and metroidvanias
byu/Imaginary_Cause2216 insoulslikes
I remember when FromSoftware’s glory was not known by many, and Souls was a rather niche series avoided due to extreme difficulty. Ah, those were the days. And then along came Elden Ring, who ruined it all by letting the whole world know (Contradicting, I know, but I like to gatekeep).
The most unfortunate victims of it all are action games. True action games free of Soulslike influence have become extremely rare. How I’ve longed for games like Devil May Cry, Nier, and Metal Gear Rising. Today, action games are mostly pseudo-Souls in disguise. Even Stellar Blade with obvious DMC and Nier inspirations had some of these elements.
But fear not, my friends. If you share my concerns, our prayers have been answered. It seems the return of true character action games is here. I’m sure you’ve watched the trailers for Tides of Annihilation and Lost Souls Aside, and know what I’m talking about. I never thought I’d say this about Soulslikes but good riddance.
The Return Of The King: Onimusha
Speaking of the resurgence of action games, it would be a sin not to talk about the OG, the progenitor: Onimusha. That’s right, Capcom’s samurai action series that introduced many of the genre’s conventions is back with a bang. Your Sekiro, Ghost of Tsushima, Devil May Cry, etc. wouldn’t even exist today had it not been for Onimusha.
Before the Soulslike fever took worldwide control and every game adopted the same gameplay relying on reading opportunities and slow exp accumulation, character action games were the talk of the town. Slick, fast-paced combat, interesting characters, engaging storyline, intense boss fights, and most of all, a unique gameplay system.
After being extremely exhausted of the same Souls mechanics with mediocre execution, it’s great to see stuff like Onimusha and Ninja Gaiden return, alongside newcomers in Tides of Annihilation and Lost Soul Aside.
Souls is a truly interesting concept, but I’ve had more than enough of it for now. It’s time to bring back true character action games of the past. Let us forget methodic dodges for a moment, and just ride the crazy adrenaline train of fast-paced action once again.
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Shameer Sarfaraz has previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, he loves to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games. Besides his passion for breaking news stories, Shahmeer loves spending his leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited his articles.
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