There are a lot of Soulslike games that have taken from plenty of From Software’s standard-setting works. Games likeStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Orderhave used the format of the Soulslike and thrown in Metroidvania-styled exploration, while also doubling down on a parry mechanic despite being released beforeSekiro.
Still, despite the popularity of Soulslikes, it has not felt like enough games have taken inspiration from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Many fans of From Software’s games, as well as those who simply appreciate a well-made video game with fleshed-out combat mechanics, tend to refer to it as a masterpiece.
It’s important to lay out what separatesSekirofrom the rest. The game places a special emphasis on its parry mechanic and haste within its combat’s pacing. TheDark Soulsgames, as well asBloodborneandElden Ring, will reward players for a well-timed parry. Usually, players get time to breathe and the opportunity to land a high-damage hit, butSekirothrows in the Posture mechanic.
Posture is the ability to withstand a hit. Properly attacking and parrying damages an enemy’s Posture, and fully breaking an enemy’s Posture provides the player a chance to pull off a Deathblow. The lower an enemy’s health is, the slower their Posture rebuilds.Sekriodid not create the parry, nor did it popularize it, but plenty of gamers look to the game as an example of how to do it best.
Before the release of new titles likeStellar Blade and Nine Sols, not many titles took inspiration fromSekiro, even though new Soulslikes continue to pop up. This could be attributed to the fact that games just take a long time to make. It could also take developers even more time to structure an entire game around combat as polished asSekiro‘s.
Many gamers just end up going back toSekirobecause it’s hard to find a similar experience, but with so many upcoming releases, those seeking to scratch that itch may not have to wait much longer.
Games that are definitely Sekiro-likes
Nier: AutomataandBayonettawere the primary comparisons people made toStellar Bladewhen they first sawStellar Blade.Despite that, this game features a strong focus on its parry mechanic.
It may takeSekiroplayers some time to adjust to the way that inputs register. Dodging, parrying, and movement have a significantly different weight inStellar Blade. Still, gamers do agree that the Sekiro influence is there.Stellar Blade even includes its own spin on Posture, called Balance, though it does differ in areas like its skill trees and additional ways to tune combat to the player’s liking.
Nine Solsis different in a couple of ways, namely that it has a hand-drawn 2D art style and features platforming. Regardless, developer Red Candle Games has gone all-in on theSekrioinspiration.
Nine Sols‘ combat is based on deflection, with enemies putting enough pressure on the player to force them to consistently deflect. Deflection inNine Solsallows players to store Chi energy to use in charged attacks instead of having a Posture bar to maintain.
Games that focus on parrying
Where Winds Meetis a Wuxia-inspired game that offers versatility in weapon choice and combat approach, though countering appears to be central to its gameplay.
In each gameplay showcase so far,trailershave featured its protagonist swiftly parrying an enemy attack. Everstone Studio seems ambitious with the many different features it plans to incorporate intoWhere Winds Meet.The game will feature a picturesque open world alongside a narrative that is said to be influenced by player choice.Where Winds Meetis slated for a 2024 release.
Then there’sPhantom Blade Zero. The combat in this game’s original trailer looked too good to be true, and people insisted that it must be scripted in some way. But the more footage fans see of it, the more the game shows its hand.
There are plenty of gaps for player input. Some animations appear to cancel very well into the other, allowing for a wide range of player expression. There is risk, though, as the game seems to force players to commit to their actions. AtIGN’s hands-on demo, Developer S-Game pushed back a bit against the haste to lumpPhantom Blade Zeroin with every other Soulsborne. S-Game noted a feature on “old-fashioned combo-driven traditional action” while using a map design akin to Souls games.
Phantom Blade Zeroappears to share plenty in common withAssassin’s CreedandGhost of Tsushima, but this doesn’t mean it has nothing in common withSekiro. InPhantom Blade Zero, players and enemies have a Sha-chi meter, which functions similarly to Posture and depletes when guarding. Taking consecutive hits breaks this defense and leaves the target wide open. There is a block stance, but pulling off a parry or perfect dodge can reward players with a counterattack called a Ghoststep.
Games that may continue Sekiro’s legacy
Black Myth Wukonghas gamers excited for a couple of reasons. Those who like a good story are excited to see a big-budget video game put a spin on the story of Sun Wukong, while others are here for the combat.
The combat system inBlack Myth Wukongappears to be somewhat different fromSekiro.The game appears to put a heavy emphasis on agility, and while it does occasionally show a player blocking an attack, it does not seem nearly as consistent. That being said, there appears to be a similar emphasis on an aggressive play style.
Lastly, there’sBallad of Antara, which gamers are waiting to see more about, but one thing seems certain—guarding against enemy attacks matters.
Each segment of action shown feels demanding. In the announcement trailer forBallad of Antara, combat comes off as dynamic and weighty. The game appears to reward aggressive gameplay and consistent guarding. For those searching for something closer toSekirothanSouls, this game appears to show off more guarding than it does dodging, which could be promising.
Some of these games may take even longer than expected to release, and by the time they all come out, they could end up being closer toDark Soulsor something entirely different. No matter what, there appear to be plenty of interesting action games in the works.
