this post was submitted on 15 Jul 2026
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Soulslike - Discussion, News, Memes

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This is a community for discussion, news, and memes pertaining to the video game sub-genre "soulslike".

Given Lemmy's size, the definition of soulslike may be treated relatively loosely. While games like the numerous FromSoft titles, the recent Star Wars Jedi games, Lies of P, Nioh and similar games should be the focus, games that incorporate soulslike elements - like Hollow Knight and Blasphemous, for example - may also be discussed here.

Basic Lemmy-quette applies. Additionally, since flairs don't exist yet, please do make sure to include a marker to denote what game your post is about in square brackets for clarity's sake. An example could be:

[BB] This enemy is so difficult!

or

[DS1] Anyone struggling with the gargoyles?

Friends:

!liesofp@lemmy.zip

!bloodborne@lemmy.zip

!sekiro@lemmy.zip

!eldenring@lemmy.world

!shittydarksouls@lemmy.world

Should you have any questions, please do let me know.

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In the case of Sekiro, it's very clear-cut: he's a shinobi who's trained in swordfighting and martial arts, so it makes sense that, even though he's not at his prime at the beginning of the game, he's very agile and knows how to fight.

The explanation for Bloodborne's PC being a competent fighter could be that since it's "just a dream"™, they can fight perfectly well. Gehrman and the Moon Presence have no use for a hunter that's incapable of hunting.

But in the case of DeS, DS, and ER? I've got no explanations. Especially in the case of DS, you're on the brink of hollowing - you shouldn't be capable to do anything, really, right?

Maybe I missed something, but I can't answer that question. Thoughts?

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[–] MissingInteger@lemmy.zip 21 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

DS1: You got your own private cell in the asylum. Oscar chooses you specifically. So maybe you were extra dangerous before you've gone hollow? But also I've seen lots of "I play Dark Souls for the first time videos"; the player character doesn't seem to have much combat prowess in those. So maybe the player character only learns combat in Lordran?

DS2: You had a long, long journey since you've become cursed. So maybe you've picked up some skills on the way. Going from your happy family life to combat capable warrior.

DS3: See @YewEyeOwe31@lemmy.world answer. "Ash seeketh embers."

Bloodborne: On the one hand you've been chosen by Messengers to be a Hunter or at least for the dream. On the other, the Bloodborne player character feels more like a chosen one from the get go then the other Souls games, where you eventuallym due to your actions in game, become the chosen one. You already know about Paleblood (Moon Presence). You've come from outside, specifically seek out the Blood and you get a summon to Cain Hurst. (Were you a Noble before? You kinda look like one.) So you probably already had combat experience. Maybe not against beasts but you slaughter people just fine.

ER: "Arise now, ye Tarnished. Ye dead, who yet live." Not all tarnished were warriors, but a whole lot were Godfrey's lot. The percentage of combat capable tarnished is probably very high. So maybe you were one of the combat capable ones? (The "Hero" Origin is probably related to Hoarah Loux) I think, Elden Ring is the most vague. You had grace and then you lost it and now you get a bit back. Elden Ring leans more heavily on the "Origins" as Classes are called here and of course a Samurai can fight. It literally says in their description "A capable fighter". But the reason a naked person with a club can fight? No idea… Well, I'm off to bash Margit's brains out with a club.

[–] v4ld1z@lemmy.zip 5 points 2 weeks ago

Nice overview, ty :)