The First Berserker: Khazan is here, and it is both a brutal and unforgiving soulslike, and also an action-RPG that should be a great introduction to the genre for newcomers. If you’re a masochistic gamer or just someone who doesn’t enjoy having their hand held in their gaming experiences, we thought it was a good time to check out other games in the same ilk as that of Neople’s new ARPG.
Elden Ring
The obvious one. The Granddaddy of all Souls games. Open-world exploration, a dark and dingy atmosphere, seemingly impossible bosses, and a story darker than any of Hidetaka Miyazaki’s before it. There’s a reason fans are crying out for an Elden Ring 2, which we’re sort of getting in Elden Ring Nightreign.
A huge turning point for FromSoftware in the mainstream nature of the genre they created, Elden Ring is a fantasy gamer’s dream, and adding in the extreme nature of the bosses – including the now infamous Malenia -, there are very few other games out there that can pretend to have influenced the zeitgeist of pop culture half as much as this over the last five years.
Lies of P
You’d be forgiven if you didn’t think a Soulslike based on the adventures of Pinocchio would work, but the Belle-Epoque-inspired city of Krat, along with the unique enemies and bosses worked so well it’s largely considered one of the best non-FromSoftware games in the genre.
Weapon crafting is a particular highlight, along with the interchangeable Legion Arms, which allow different playstyles to be approached by the player depending on how they want to play. It raised the bar for other studios in the industry to attempt to reach, and now we want Soulslike games based on all our favorite childhood stories.
Thymesia
An indie Soulslike that’ll have you thinking you’re playing a version of Christopher Nolan’s Memento, you’ll be taking the reins of Corvus, a warrior without his memories, as he explores a now-dead kingdom attempting to find out what happened, and if he can fix it.
Featuring a unique Claw mechanic that’ll make you feel like you’re playing a game of back-and-forth, you’ll definitely need to learn how to deflect/parry in Thymesia, lest you get wrecked. A far shorter affair than any others in this list, this is the perfect game for those with less time and more responsibilities, or, like The First Berserker: Khazan, a great introduction to the genre for those largely unsure if they’ll enjoy it.
Bloodborne
Another FromSoftware gem, this is the PlayStation exclusive that fans are scrambling to get remade or a sequel to, despite seemingly no intentions to from anyone involved. Jumping into Yharnam should be every Soulslike fan’s first priority, as it features some of the most iconic environments, bosses, and incredible moments full stop, all wrapped up with a previously unseen aggressive playstyle.
Unlike other entries in this list, sitting back and defending is likely to get you killed in Bloodborne, with the game rewarding pushing forward and running into danger. It’s also an absolute trip. You won’t regret booting this one up.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
Set in a dark fantasy version of Han Dynasty China, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is another that emphasizes fast-paced, aggressive combat. With some of the bosses being drawn from Chinese folklore, and others from the minds of Team Ninja, it’s a mixture of creative license and old-school history that’ll leave you wondering what’s coming next, and how you’ll beat it.
Code Vein
Similar to The First Berserker: Khazan due to its anime art style, Code Vein is by and large the easiest of all the games on this list, and by some stretch. It’s less a Soulslike and more a fully-fledged action RPG, and the AI partner that accompanies you on your near-future adventure brings an entirely different dimension to that of the other entries in this list.
The endless amount of times you’re able to respec yourself also allows for a variety of different approaches during the same playthrough, and there’s no punishment for doing so either. It’s not a traditional game for sure, but if the art style of The First Berserker: Khazan is your jam, then you’ll definitely want to check this out.
Mortal Shell
Another short indie Soulslike this time, you play as a ‘Foundling’, an empty vessel that can inhabit ‘Mortal Shells’, taking on not only their likeness but also their abilities. Each fallen soldier is different from the last, with different combat styles and abilities that’ll offer a different playstyle every time. Whether this approach makes it easier or harder to traverse that world you’re tasked with exploring by the mysterious ‘Dark Father’.
For more Thumb Wars Gaming coverage, take a look at our review of The First Berserker: Khazan, or ten bosses we need to see in Elden Ring Nightreign.
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Luke Addison is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Thumb Wars. Having previously been a part of multiple outlets over the years, including building an entire gaming team from nothing to something, he thought it best to forge his own path and answer only to himself. As likely to be found playing the latest game as he is in the kitchen relaxing (by cooking), he always brings the same bold and brash attitude to everything he does, with a heavy leaning on sarcasm and dry wit!
