Lords of the Fallen (2014) | A Disappointing Entry in the Soulslike Genre
Edited By
Marcus Chen
A chorus of voices from gamers reflects disappointment after playing the 2014 release of Lords of the Fallen. Many have slammed its slow combat, tedious gameplay, and lackluster design choices, specifically highlighting its poorly crafted catacombs.
The Downside of a Promising Genre
Players expected a fresh take on the soulslike genre, but what they received was a frustrating experience. One player noted, "This game straight up sucks!" after clearing just four bosses; they couldn't continue due to the atrocious level design.
Combat mechanics have faced sharp criticism. Described as "slow, floaty, and clunky," they make the action feel tedious rather than exhilaration-driven. The introduction of quirky enemy types, like a shielded adversary blocking access to strategy, only added to players' frustrations. In the words of one disappointed gamer, "It is literally coded to be impossible to roll or manoeuvre behind him."
A Trend of Illusionary Choices
A surprising revelation came from a YouTube video by Iron Pineapple, where he pointed out that NPC quest choices in the game are misleading. The supposed impactful decisions all result in identical outcomes. As one player remarked, "Talk about a time waste."
Save Mechanic Woes
Players have also criticized the bonfire system. Limited to these checkpoints as the only save option, gamers found it inconvenient. “If you want to exit, you’ve got to find another one first,” one gamer explained, highlighting how this affects overall engagement.
Exciting Developments on the Horizon
Despite the negative feedback regarding Lords of the Fallen, there is optimism for the upcoming sequel. Comments note that the development team has improved significantly. A user pointed out, "The new game is basically a very fun game, it became a decent soulslike."
Player Sentiment
Across forums, the sentiments lean heavily negative regarding this title. Many players express enthusiasm for the next title in the series, showcasing a willingness to give the developers another chance despite past disappointments.
Major Takeaways
⚔️ Combat mechanics seen as cumbersome and slow
🔴 NPC choices criticized as ineffective
🛡️ Limited saves frustrate players
🌟 Optimism brews for future titles in the franchise
In Closing
While Lords of the Fallen (2014) offers innovative ideas, the execution leaves much to be desired. As fans eagerly anticipate what comes next, many hope the next installment will excel where this one failed.