• Story-light, lore-heavy
• Map exploration with loops (Jaquayed dungeons)
• Deliberate and punishing combat
• Gameplay mechanics that interact with death
• Boss Fights
• A dark/grim overall tone
• Git Gud – player skill/knowledge increase more important than gear/levelling up

If only I could be so grossly incandescent!

Solaire of Astora

It is entirely possible to make a game with all of these qualities.

But if a game has enough of these qualities that it continues to feel souls-like, then it is still souls-like.

Everyone’s experiences of a game are unique, so this is really my list of qualities for a souls-like game. Yours might differ.

Meta

It was revealed last week that the new Dark Souls ttrpg will use a version of D&D 5th edition.

This is a very odd pairing.

Odd enough that not one, but two ttrpg game jams have sprung up in response.

• Better Soulslike Tabletop Jam – end date March 31st
• Bonfire Jam – end date March 2nd

Predictably, I am working on an entry.