7 games that represent each genre of Dark Souls

Dark Souls is famous for being a punishing and difficult game, a game so compelling that it codified 'Souls-like' games into its own genre. This also led to joking comparisons between different genres of games. It was an old weird joke, 'X is Dark Souls in Y genre.'

But what does that actually mean? Dark Souls and its sequels are not only characterized by overwhelming difficulty, but also by their refusal to hold the player's hand. It's also a genre known for its borderline unfair punishments if you don't figure out how to play or develop the skills to keep up. With that in mind, the game is the Dark Souls of its genre.

This article is Dark Souls in game comparison.

7

cuphead

2D platform game

The reason this meme comes to mind is because of Cuphead. It didn't start out as a cartoonish platformer, but it certainly gained traction after some reductive comparisons were made. Despite these different games, they do have some things in common, so they are not without their merits.

Of course, both are punishingly difficult. Transitioning between boss fights can also be quite harrowing, as death means starting over from the beginning of a Run N' Gun stage or the last bonfire. But what both games are known for are their boss fights, massive, multi-stage affairs with little room for error.

6

witch's house

RPG Maker

RPG Maker games are difficult to pin down as their own genre, other than being made with a title engine. In general, these games are top-down 2D walking simulation and adventure games, usually horror. The most famous of these is The Witch's House, which is also one of the most brutally difficult and obtuse examples of the genre.

As Viola, a girl with no memory and no way to defend herself, you must explore a haunted house to unravel the mysteries of her past. Unlike traversing Dark Souls' more hostile terrain, this is a grim, dark, and brutal adventure where sudden death lurks around every corner. It's also like a Souls game in that even if you win, the ending can leave a bitter taste in your mouth.

5

Solium Infernum

grand strategy

A complex game in an already complex genre, Solium Infernum's difficulty is almost the opposite of what makes Dark Souls difficult. In the latter, you're not given much information other than how to move or swing the weapon, while in the former, you're given all the information you need, but with any luck you'll be able to analyze it all.

Be careful when playing with friends, as lies, political rhetoric and backstabbing can be very personal. Don't let this be the dark soul that brings your friends together.

As an Archfiend, your ambition is to take the throne of Hell and stand above all other competitors. But Hell's bureaucracy is a labyrinthine complex, and every action you take is monitored by a powerful neutral political party, The Conclave. Of course, with every rule there are many ways in which you can subvert it or use it for your own purposes, leading to one hell of a balancing act. And this doesn't even apply to human opponents, who are much more cunning than AI. After all, hell is other people.

4

GTFO

cooperative shooting game

This co-op multiplayer shooter with zombie-like enemies may be reminiscent of Left 4 Dead, but if you play it that way, you and your friends will be gone in no time. It's closer to Alien than 28 Days Later. You and your three friends must use all your gear and skills to get in, accomplish your objectives, and then get out without turning into monsters.

There are few obstacles to education, and there is a long way to go, and sometimes it feels unfair. But learning the game's combination of stealth, tactics, and wall-to-wall ball shooting is immensely satisfying and will continue to challenge even the most hardened seeker. It's very similar to Dark Souls.

3

7 Days To Die: Afterlife

survival

As is, 7 Days To Die is a compelling zombie apocalypse survival simulator where you gather resources, secure territory, and advance your skills and equipment. Some people might consider it an arcade game, especially compared to hardcore simulations like The Long Dark.

But Redbeard's Afterlife mode is something different. In Afterlife, hunger and thirst are as threatening as zombies. This is especially true if you fail to maintain Vitality, a new stat that quantifies your character's will to survive.

Resources are usually hard to find and even more difficult to create. Especially since the skill tree becomes much more difficult to expand and advance. There is no map and no idea of ​​the time when you first start. There isn't a lot of information to work with, and it takes trial and error to figure out everything else beyond the basics.

2

shifu

beat 'em up

Beat 'em up may seem like a very simple genre that requires just mashing buttons, but Sifu is anything but. Even your resurrection ability won't last long if you don't utilize the parry, dodge, and combo systems properly.

Enemies are frighteningly capable in Sifu, and like the skeletons that kill you at the start of a Souls-like game, even the lowest of sounds can tear you apart if you don't learn the game. Like games like Souls, this one rewards exploration, and through careful searching you can unlock shortcuts to each level's boss. Of course those bosses are very attractive and quite difficult until you learn how they fight and how they react.

1

Darkest Dungeon

role playing

If your only experience with turn-based RPGs are JRPGs like Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest, you'll be in for a rude awakening when you start playing Darkest Dungeon. This is not a jaunt through the story of teenagers using the power of friendship to kill God, but a grueling battle against darkness with severe punishment for mistakes. And often, you may not even realize you made a mistake until it's too late.

Your character is a mercenary, balancing health, sanity, and hunger in the fight against evil Lovecraftian abominations. You will become attached to them because once they come to power the dungeons become easier. So if (not when) you lose them, you'll miss their presence as a valuable ally disappears into the void. Be patient and you'll find a game that rewards tactical gameplay and foresight. And maybe it's a chance to fight back against the darkness.