6 Things Soulslike Games Must Stop Doing
In London, veteran gamer and analyst Michael Lewis brings attention to recurring issues in the Soulslike gaming genre that threaten player enjoyment and mental health. Having extensively engaged with numerous titles in this category, Lewis identifies six key design elements that must be eradicated moving forward.
These elements include overly punitive difficulty spikes, cryptic storytelling that alienates players, inconsistent enemy mechanics, repetitive level designs, insufficient player guidance, and a lack of meaningful character development. Lewis argues these factors cumulatively erode the immersive and challenging spirit that the genre originally promised.
Industry experts concur that while these flaws have been tolerated due to the genre’s niche appeal, addressing them is vital for sustainable growth. Dr. Alice Morgan, a game studies professor at Cambridge University, notes, “The Soulslike genre’s unique allure lies in its challenging yet fair design. When these core principles are compromised, player frustration supersedes engagement.”
This call to action emerges amid increasing player feedback highlighting mental fatigue and disengagement, which could adversely affect the genre’s popularity amidst a competitive market. Developers are thus encouraged to innovate with empathy, balancing challenge with accessibility without diminishing artistic vision.
Michael Lewis’s analysis underscores not just improvement in game mechanics but advocates for a player-centric approach that respects user experience. This perspective is timely as the gaming community seeks quality content that stimulates without overwhelming, demonstrating a paradigm shift in how challenging games can be designed.
