What Makes Souls Video Games So Popular?

The Souls game genre, often referred to as “Souls-like,” is a subgenre of action role-playing games (RPGs). The genre originated with FromSoftware’s “Demon’s Souls” and the “Dark Souls” trilogy, which have inspired many other games to adopt similar mechanics and themes. These games are characterized by several key elements:

1. High Difficulty: Soulslike games are known for their challenging gameplay, where player death is frequent and expected. This difficulty encourages players to learn from their mistakes and improve their skills.
2. Environmental Storytelling: The narrative in Soulslike games is often conveyed through the environment, item descriptions, and subtle character interactions, rather than direct exposition. This method of storytelling creates a sense of mystery and discovery.
3. Dark Fantasy Setting: These games typically feature dark, gothic, and often bleak worlds that enhance the atmosphere and immersion.
4. Methodical Combat: Combat in Soulslike games is usually deliberate and requires careful timing and strategy. Players must manage resources like stamina and health, and learn enemy patterns to succeed.
5. Checkpoint System: Progress is often saved at specific checkpoints, and dying usually means respawning at the last checkpoint with enemies respawning as well. This system adds to the challenge and encourages careful exploration.
6. Character Progression: Players can improve their characters through leveling up, acquiring new equipment, and learning new skills. However, progress can be lost or hindered by death, adding a layer of risk and reward.
7. Multiplayer Elements: Many Souls-like games include unique multiplayer features, such as the ability to leave messages for other players, summon allies for help, or invade other players’ worlds for PvP combat.

Examples of Souls-like Games

There are many popular Soulslike games that have captivated players with their challenging gameplay and immersive worlds. Here are some of the most notable ones:

1. Elden Ring: Developed by FromSoftware, this game combines the challenging combat of Souls games with an expansive open world. It’s praised for its deep lore, intricate world-building, and engaging gameplay.
2. Dark Souls Trilogy: The series that defined the genre, known for its punishing difficulty, interconnected world design, and rich lore. Each game in the trilogy has its own unique appeal.
3. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice: Another FromSoftware title, Sekiro focuses on precise, skill-based combat and features a unique setting inspired by Japanese history and mythology.
4. Bloodborne: Set in a gothic, Lovecraftian world, Bloodborne is known for its fast-paced combat and atmospheric storytelling. It’s a favorite among fans of the genre.
5. Nioh 2: Developed by Team Ninja, Nioh 2 combines Souls-like mechanics with a setting based on Japanese folklore. It features deep character customization and a robust combat system.
6. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor: This game blends the Soulslike formula with the Star Wars universe, offering methodical combat and a rich narrative experience.
7. Lies of P: Inspired by the story of Pinocchio, this game offers a dark, twisted take on the classic tale with challenging combat and a unique setting.
8. Hollow Knight: While more of a Metroidvania, Hollow Knight incorporates many Soulslike elements such as challenging combat, a dark atmosphere, and intricate world design.
9. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty: Set in ancient China, this game combines historical elements with Souls-like mechanics, offering a unique and challenging experience.
10. The Surge 2: This game takes the Souls-like formula into a sci-fi setting, featuring a unique limb-targeting system and a dystopian world.

These games each bring their own twist to the Souls-like genre, offering a variety of settings, combat styles, and storytelling methods.

Let’s dive in now and try to understand what made this genre so popular.

So, What Makes Them So Popular?

The Thrill of Challenge

One of the most defining features of Souls games is their difficulty. These games are designed to be tough, requiring players to master complex mechanics, learn enemy patterns, and develop precise timing. This high level of challenge creates a sense of accomplishment when players overcome obstacles, making victories feel hard-earned and deeply satisfying.

The challenge in Souls games is not just about difficulty for its own sake. It’s about the journey of improvement. Players start off struggling with basic enemies but gradually learn the intricacies of combat, enemy behavior, and level design. Each death is a lesson, and each victory is a testament to the player’s growth. This cycle of trial, error, and eventual success is incredibly rewarding and keeps players hooked.

For example, every boss we tried to beat in Elden Ring took us no less than an hour. When browsing Reddit, you often find gamers stating that they have been struggling with bosses for more than 6 hours. So one must have patience and endurance while playing these games.

Deep and Intricate Lore

Souls games are renowned for their rich, yet often cryptic, storytelling. The lore is embedded in item descriptions, environmental details, and subtle character interactions, encouraging players to piece together the narrative themselves. This method of storytelling fosters a sense of discovery and immersion, as players uncover the mysteries of the game world bit by bit.

The lore in Souls games is like a giant puzzle. Players are not spoon-fed the story; instead, they must actively seek out and piece together fragments of information. This creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, as players discuss theories and interpretations within the community. The depth of the lore also adds replay value, as players often discover new details and connections on subsequent playthroughs.

Atmospheric World-Building

The worlds of Souls games are meticulously crafted, with a dark, gothic aesthetic that enhances the sense of foreboding and mystery. The environments are not just backdrops but integral parts of the storytelling, filled with hidden secrets and interconnected pathways. This immersive world-building draws players in, making exploration a rewarding experience.

The atmosphere in Souls games is palpable. From the haunting music to the detailed environments, every element works together to create a cohesive and immersive world. The interconnected level design also adds to the sense of immersion, as players gradually unlock shortcuts and discover how different areas are connected. This makes exploration feel meaningful and rewarding.

For us personally, and at times in games like Sekrio and Elden Ring, we stood for more than 15 minutes in the middle of exploration, standing on a hill and observing the breathtaking sceneries. One can argue that these sceneries are genre-defining, making them mandatory for a game that wants to be Souls-like.

Fair but Unforgiving Gameplay

While Souls games are challenging, they are also fair. The mechanics are consistent, and the game rarely feels cheap. When players die, it’s usually because of a mistake they made, not because of unfair game design. This fairness encourages players to learn from their mistakes and improve, fostering a growth mindset.

The fairness of Souls games is a key part of their appeal. Players know that their success or failure is entirely in their hands. This creates a sense of agency and responsibility, as players must rely on their own skills and strategies to progress. The consistent mechanics also mean that players can learn and improve over time, making each victory feel well-deserved.

Unique Multiplayer Elements

From the dawn of Multiplayer gaming, PVP has been of the most appeal to gamers. If you were one of the gamers that had the chance to play World of Warcraft since its start, you probably remember that PvP is one of the aspects that makes the game so interactive and popular. Even today, 20 years later, PvP is the aspect that players talk about most.

Souls games feature innovative multiplayer mechanics that blend seamlessly with the single-player experience. Players can leave messages for others, summon allies for help, or invade other players’ worlds for PvP combat. This interconnectedness adds a layer of unpredictability and community interaction that enhances the overall experience.

The multiplayer elements in Souls games add a unique social dimension. Players can help or hinder each other, creating a sense of camaraderie and competition. The ability to leave messages also fosters a sense of community, as players share tips and warnings with each other. This interconnectedness makes the game world feel alive and dynamic.

Sense of Mastery and Progression

The steep learning curve in Souls games means that players must invest time and effort to improve. This journey from novice to master is incredibly rewarding, as players see tangible progress in their skills and understanding of the game. The sense of mastery and progression keeps players coming back for more.

The progression in Souls games is not just about leveling up or acquiring new gear. It’s about the player’s personal growth and improvement. As players become more skilled, they can tackle tougher challenges and explore new areas. This sense of mastery is deeply satisfying and keeps players engaged for the long haul.

Conclusion

The addictive nature of Souls games can be attributed to a combination of challenging gameplay, deep lore, atmospheric world-building, fair mechanics, unique multiplayer elements, and a rewarding sense of mastery. These elements come together to create an experience that is both punishing and deeply satisfying, making Souls games a beloved staple in the gaming community.

What aspects of Souls games do you find most appealing? Share your thoughts in the comments below!