Lords of the Fallen has been rebooted by Hexworks, following the original 2014 version. Although players of the first instalment may recognise a few sights and hear some interesting details, this new game is a different beast.
Mournstead awaits you, Crusader
Lords of the Fallen is a game that any Soulslike enthusiast will appreciate. The game is a solid entry for the genre, exhibiting a clear understanding of what it means to be a Soulslike. It is evident that the developers, Hexworks, know what they are doing in many aspects of the game. Although some aspects are lacking, the overall experience is satisfying.
To start you are treated to a brilliantly crafted cinematic, then thrust into character creation. Unfortunately, anything created looked like they had already been through a lot. However, the beard game is strong here, so you can easily overlook the character’s weathered looks.
The classes in the game are diverse, well-crafted, and provide an immediate understanding of their gameplay mechanics. Upon completion of your character, you enter the world of Axiom where Hexworks has created stunning environments with awe-inspiring vistas. The interconnected world that has been painstakingly crafted can be seen from multiple points around the map.
The user interface is clean and readable, and it does not interfere with what is essential. The controls are easy to grasp, and one can quickly learn how to use them. The game provides a good understanding of the world the player is traversing and how to approach what awaits them. The most intriguing feature on display is the Umbral Lamp, which allows players to enter the Umbral, a world of the dead that Axiom sits atop.
Combat Is Everything
If you are throwing your hat into the Soulslike arena, your combat needs to be on point. This is where Lords of the Fallen gets some things right, it also has its fair share of shortcomings here. The combat in the game has a quicker pace and seems to lean more towards the hack-and-slash style. Although the animations are well designed and the transition between stances is seamless, there are a few drawbacks to the combat system.
For instance, initiating an attack propels you forward which can feel jarring at times or even lead to you doing battle with gravity and losing immediately. The ability to dodge or roll out of attacks removes the need for precise timing when attacking, this takes away any sense of commitment to your attacks.
One area Hexworks have made work incredibly well is the spellcasting and ranged attack options in the game. Ammo for your ranged attacks is replenished when you rest and with the frequent use of ranged enemies, this is very helpful. The spell system in the game is much smoother to use than any other Souls game, by equipping a catalyst you can assign spells to specific buttons rather than having to scroll through endless spells.
If you prefer using a shield in combat, you may encounter a new game mechanic introduced by Hexworks called wither damage. This damage is inflicted on you when you block attacks, and it builds up over time if you continue to block. To regenerate your health, you need to attack your enemies. However, if you get hit while wither damage is building up, you could lose a significant amount of health. This game mechanic creates a unique playstyle for shield users, adding an interesting challenge to the game. Wither damage is also applied to parries, this is something that feels strange and out of place.
Overall, Lords of the Fallen combat delivers in some ways and falls short in others when compared to other Soulslike games. It seems to have a good comprehension of certain aspects but gets a little lost at times with others.
Parallel Worlds: The Living Axiom/The Dead Umbral
The world of Lords of the Fallen has been crafted to an incredibly high standard, and some of its intricate details are truly brilliant. The game boasts breathtaking vistas, each playing an important role in the story of the world. Hexworks has expertly created an environment that fits together seamlessly, and nothing feels out of place.
Lords of the Fallen features a standout element in the form of the Umbral, which is the world of the dead. The Umbral is located below Axiom and the player can use their Umbral Lamp to view it and even transition there. This feature adds unique puzzles and effectively utilizes the verticality of the game’s world. Hexworks has created two visually stunning and well-functioning worlds that play a significant role in the game’s story.
While there are certainly positive aspects to the world created by Hexworks, it’s important to acknowledge that there are also some negatives. For instance, the mob density in the game can be frustrating at times. The game designers seem to favour overwhelming the player with enemies, rather than creating engaging battles within well-crafted environments. This can make it difficult to fully appreciate the world that has been created, as you’re constantly having to fight your way through hordes of enemies.
The world of Axiom features a diverse range of enemies with intriguing designs, as well as bosses that are impressive and engaging to battle. Additionally, the game comes with a solid soundtrack and good sound effects, though some of the hit sounds could use improvement. Furthermore, the block and parry sounds do not provide sufficient feedback to the player.
The game’s weapons are well-designed and offer a variety of options for the player to switch up their play style. One standout weapon is the Taxidermist’s Hammer, which features screaming faces melded to the end of a stick – who wouldn’t want to take down enemies with that? The game offers a vast selection of well-designed armour options to choose from, which are all fittingly integrated into the game’s world. Even though certain weapons or armour may appear peculiar, they still feel like they belong within the world of Axiom.
A Soulslike In The Rough
It seems that Hexworks has a decent grasp of how to develop a Soulslike game, having implemented some key features well, but falling a bit short on others. Specifically, the combat mechanics could benefit from picking hack-and-slash or resembling those found in the Souls series or Lies of P.
The Umbral Lamp mechanic is a great addition to the game as it adds multiple layers to all areas, making it more enjoyable and expansive. The game’s visuals are stunning, and the developers should allow players to appreciate them more without overwhelming them with swarms of enemies. This isn’t to say don’t have those encounters but breaks and changing things up so the player can explore would not hurt.
The sound design in most of the game is well-executed. However, the player needs a bit more feedback on some frequently used features like blocking and parrying. The world, along with the random NPCs you meet along the way, helps in creating an intriguing environment, which in turn enhances the overall gaming experience.
The Lords of the Fallen reboot doesn’t reinvent the Soulslike genre, but it has some interesting ideas. Overall, the experience is solid, and any Soulslike fan should find a good amount of enjoyment from the game.
Lords of the Fallen Launch Trailer
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