When Lords of the Fallen launched back in 2014, Deck13 and CI Games had clearly been inspired by the Dark Souls series. That entry failed to really make any impact as it was seen as more of an imitation released to ride in the commercial tidal wave of Soulslikes.
Fast forward to 2023 and CI Games along with Hexworks Studio are back for another another bite of the cherry with the series. Lords of the Fallen aims to make that splash where 2014’s iteration failed.
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In the nine years between them there have been a lot of Soulslike titles, and a lot of changes to the formula. And perhaps unsurprisingly, Lords of the Fallen (2023) is another Soulslike title inspired by the genres greats. Thankfully this time out, it mixes things up a bit with some meaningful new ideas.
From the Ashes
The bones of Lords of the Fallen (2023)’s tale is delivered to you by cut scenes and conversations in game. However, the the meat of the lore and the world is explained through item descriptions; which also fill you in on much of the missing backstory.
The game makes you work for the juiciest details with players encouraged to explore to find these gossiping trinkets. If you’ve played the first game, there are a few nice call backs.
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Overall though, Lords of the Fallen (2023) is a simple tale. You’re a goodie, there is a big baddie and your job is to find and run a blade through them. However you are also being hunted for your realm-bridging lantern, which gives you some powers over the dead.
Lords of the Soulslike
Being honest, the best Soulslikes are still compelling if with s weak story. The biggest draw of the subgenre is the combat, the world you find yourself in and the stakes. Combat in Lords of the Fallen (2023) is weighty, calculated and often cerebral. You have to think out each and every swing of your sword.
That said, you can cancel out of swings by rolling. However, some attacks lock you into an animation till you complete it. Timing is still everything.
But this rule also goes for your foes so it is very much a balanced system. One where combat encounters often evolve into bloody ballets of carnage. Waiting for openings to attack between dodging, blocking and parrying.
You also get a healthy arsenal of weapons to wield that really opens up combat. Your tools range from daggers through swords to axes, and even flails. Each come with pros and cons, and will also affect your characters build. Playing around with the weapon types early doors will pay off in the long term.
Builds of the Fallen
On the character build front, there is a solid selection to pick from; like Pyric Cultist, Partisan and Hallowed Knight. Each with their own abilities to best suit your play style.
The game is set in Axiom – the realm of the living, but using your magical lantern you can access Umbral – the realm of the dead.
This mixes up things even more as you’re not as strong here, but the lantern grants you some wild powers to level the field.
When you are killed, you’ll also be transported to Umbral where you must return to Axiom and retrieve lost experience points. However, when you are killed in the Umbral realm, you’ll respawn at your last save point and lose all your unspent XPs.
This is a small twist on the formula seen in most Soulslikes of course, but it adds a real risk-reward element. The stakes are always high.
Inviting Maps
Another big part of a Soulslike is exploration to find secrets, hidden bosses and other surprises and the world of Axiom doesn’t disappoint. The game has some very striking world designs, with each new area embodying a different fantasy vibe. But it’s when you head to the Umbral realm where things really go up a gear or two. Suddenly, you’ll be in very unique and altogether alien feeling place.
Visually, Lords of the Fallen (2023) is a dark, moody, and unnerving fantasy thrill ride. Though there are a few visual glitches that did take the edge off the game a little; like framerates bombing at times. But Lords of the Fallen (2023) is a spectacle that oozes detail, decay and doom.
Sound-wise, Lords of the Fallen (2023) is filled with immersive swords clash and armour clanks. The sounds of strife are rounded off by an epic gothic score that captures the tone and tension very well.
Friends of the Fallen
Lords of the Fallen (2023) also lets you team up for some co-op fun. Oddly, your buddy is tethered to you as the host; meaning if you run off they’ll be teleported to you. If you don’t stop to let them catch up, they’ll end up in a constant loop of teleporting to you. But play nice together and co-op is a blast as you may expect.
Lords of the Fallen (2023) feels like it delivers on its goals first set some nine years ago. That is, serving up a Soulslike that captures the essence its inspiration, but also adds to the formula in new and fun ways.
Fans of the genre will definitely find some value in a trip to Axiom. Lords of the Fallen (2023) also proves the old saying perfectly. If at first you don’t succeed; try, try again.