I’m currently playing lots of games none of which are soulslikes, though, funnily enough :D Juggling Hunt Showdown, Slay the Spire 2 and Esoteric Ebb right now - enjoying my time with all of them.
What I mean by genre mash-up is a game of a different genre that uses aspects of soulslikes and incorporates them in a transformative way to create something new. Think, something like Nine Sols which is a sidescroller, maybe a metroidvania too? (please correct me if I’m wrong) that took inspiration from Sekiro’s combat with its heavy focus on parries to create a cool mix of both. Or Hollow Knight for an easier example.
I don’t think I’ve ever played a game like that before outside HK, maybe, but purely concept-wise, I like the idea of Remnant. Shooters are usually relatively light on using gear and spatial movement during combat, exceptions like DOOM or Borderlands proving the rule, which makes Remnant an interesting mash-up. It borrows from soulslikes but is primarily a shooter, still.
What’s yours?
Oh! A shooter with some soulslike elements sounds intriguing, might check some gameplay out to see what that looks like.
In the mash up category I like Hollow Knight a lot. It’s delightful, the exploration is fantastic and finding my way is by far my favourite thing about the game.
The atmosphere, design and soundtrack are superb, and everything is cute as hell!! Combat is fun, and there are some really challenging bosses.
I wish I had a handheld to play it laying on the couch or something, it’s like a cosy game in a weird way.
I’ll be playing
DS3, feels like I’m slaying a test I have extensively studied for XD. Does this mean I have finally gotten gud (‘-’)? It’s been very fun, wtih a parrying shield and the uchi. …My only gripe with it is
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The inclusion of Anor Londo :/ what a let down.
Meanwhile in Sekiro I’m being responsible for
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essentially the plague XD.
So. The scales remain balanced.
Finally getting to DS3, huh? Glad you’re enjoying it, how far in are you?
Yeah! it took a while, heh. (And I’m saving DS2 for later :P) Last thing I did was defeat the Dancer, but before pressing on I think I’ll go back to the catacombs cause I remember some enticing shiny items calling my name below the bridge.
Eta: Oh and I’m already itching for NG with the Farron great sword… I couldn’t help myself and betrayed my usual quality build , the early uchi overrode my system.
Ooh, I really like Dancer, probably my favourite boss in DS3. There is something really satisfying about fighting her, really feels like a dance. Shame her boss weapon is absolutely garbage.
Ooh what a bummer, 'cause her swords look sick af. (Btw, Do you have any other boss weapon recs?)
Yeah, it’s a really cool fight. I whish she had a little more hp, tho. I had already "spoiled"myself for her, and nameless king, since they show up in nightreign. But nothing beats doing the fight in context.
Honestly there are a lot of pretty decent to good boss weapons. Vordt’s hammer is really good and you get it right away. Same with Hollowslayer Greatsword. Dragonslayer Greataxe weapon art destroys everything. Also Moonlight Greatsword, because of course.
It’s not really a boss weapon but Onikiri and Ubadachi are great if you like katanas.
I am personally a big Farron Greatsword enjoyer as you know. Using the L1 attack to throw yourself under and to the side of an incoming attack hitbox while landing an attack is just so much fun.