Summary
Not to be confused with the 2014 game of the same name,Lords of the Fallenis yet another quality Soulslike releasing in 2023 following the excellentLies of P. As a reboot of one of the earliest Soulslikes to not be developed by FromSoftware,Lords of the Fallenhas a rare opportunity to breathe new life into what was previously a somewhat middling franchise. It embraces both the plethora of gameplay innovations in the Soulslike genre over the last several years and harkens back to the time when the Soulslike genre was in its infancy. The end result is thatLords of the Fallenfeels like a modern Soulslike, but its most obvious influence is that of the genre’s progenitor,Dark Souls.
Although FromSoftware’s earlierKing’s Fieldgames and 2009’sDemon’s Soulsare technically the first titles from the studio to champion the ideas that would come to define Soulslikes, the true genesis of the genre was the release of 2011’sDark Souls. While thecore mechanics ofDark Soulshave gone on to have a massive impact on the action-RPGs that followed it, there are elements of the original game in the series that even FromSoftware itself have yet to replicate. Not only doesLords of the Fallenmake good on following up some of these ideas, it puts its own unique spin on them.
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Lords of the Fallen’s Interconnected World is the Closest Modern Analogue for Lordran
It’s surprising that no other game in FromSoftware’s impressive catalog of titles has attempted to closely replicate one ofDark Souls' most defining features: the massive and interconnected world of Lordran. WhileDemon’s Soulshad players moving back and forth between worlds via a central hub area,Dark Soulsfeatured one mapthat players could intuitively explore and chart, eventually finding themselves opening up shortcuts that saw the map fold in on itself in astounding ways. One ofLords of the Fallen’s best design decisions is to continue this seemingly abandoned idea.
Both the world of Axiom and its “spirit realm” counterpart Umbral are painstakingly-designed spaces that feature plenty of branching paths and secret areas. Entering new areas typically gives way for players to eventually stumble upon an earlier Vestige (the game’s version of bonfires) or unlock a previously impassible door, circling back on a previously-visited part of the map. It doesn’t have the awe-inspiring sprawl ofElden Ring’sThe Lands Between, but it more than makes up for size with its complexity and interconnectedness, drawing easy comparisons toDark Souls' legacy.
The Use of Unreal Engine 5 in Lords of the Fallen Highlights the Brilliance of its Art Direction
Of course, navigating these spaces wouldn’t mean much if the game featured uninspired art direction and a lack of design cohesiveness, but thankfullyLords of the Fallenhappens to be one of the best-looking Soulslikes available. Part of the game’s visual brilliance comes from its deftuse of Unreal Engine 5, showcasing just how much potential there is in the next batch of titles to be developed in it, but graphical fidelity is meaningless in the face of lackluster design. Here again,Lords of the Fallen’s aesthetic and tone absolutely nail the dread-inducing type of dark fantasy utilized inDark Souls.
Similar to the kingdom of Lordran, Axiom feels like a lived-in place with its own rich history and cast of eclectic characters, and entering each new area is a visual feast for the eyes. There’s a reason thatDark Soulswas the catalystfor FromSoftware’s current success, and in borrowing so heavily from the title that establishes the bar of quality by which all other Soulslikes are judged,Lords of the Fallenfeels like a genuine spiritual successor. The originalLords of the Fallenwas one of the first “Soulslikes”, and the reboot firmly cements that the genre’s original inspirations are still some of the best to draw from.
Lords of the Fallenis available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
