Summary
Lords of the Fallenis the latest Soulslike game to imitate a lot of what FromSoftware action-RPGs are popular for and yet fall short of meeting the high expectations that fans have ascribed to such games. Compared most agreeably toDark Souls 2due to its prolific mob and ambush encounters,Lords of the Fallendoes have a lot of the common trappings of FromSoftware games, though its most distinguished feature is easily theUmbral Lampmechanic that allows for realm-hopping needed to traverse environments.
Therefore, while there are certainly similarities baked into it,Lords of the Fallenis still unique in its distinct feel as a Soulslike. But even though differences like these are important in a game maintaining its own identity, Soulslikes still need to achieve comparable excellence in what they imitate.Lords of the Fallendoes that decently enough, though arguably not to the samedegree of quality asLies of P, and yet it made an odd decision concerning one feature found in FromSoftware Soulslikes that completely omits the fun of shortcuts cutting down on run-back time between areas.
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FromSoftware Makes Run-Backs in Soulslikes Convenient with Elevator Shortcuts
Run-backs are rarely pleasant in Soulslikes, nor are they meant to be easy or convenient, at least not initially. Part of what makes FromSoftware’s Soulslike level designs terrific is that an area might be incredibly difficult to navigate when players first begin exploring it. If they can survive the slew of enemies in their path long enough and make it a little further, they will eventually come across a shortcut that leads back around to where their last respawn point was.
Players will likely findlocked doors or empty lift shaftswith levers that are inoperable, for example, and later on find where that door or lift connects to. Then, even if players are to fall in battle, their way back is far easier than before as a checkpoint reward for managing to make their way as far as they had.
How Soulslike Lifts Help Alleviate Run-Back Stress
However, one other facet of elevator shortcuts has to do with the levers that operate them. These lifts are usually activated by stepping on a pressure plate in their center, and what players can do to manipulate where the elevator goes is step on this plate before hopping quickly off the elevator.
This way, they’ve effectively sent the lift back to the top or bottom, meaning that players will have immediate access to it again if they are slain and will not need to pull a lever and wait for it to slowly arrive.
Lords of the Fallen Doesn’t Let Players Send Lifts Back for Next Time
Lords of the Fallenhas lifts that look remarkably similar to those seen in other Soulslikes, but unfortunately players are unable to manipulate them in the same way. Instead,Lords of the Fallen’s elevators have guardrails that prevent players from somersaulting off of them before they can begin ascending or descending, leaving them stuck there for the ride.
This makes lifts a slog during run-backs, such as when trying to get back to the Gentle Gaverus, Mistress of Hounds boss fight, and it’s generally egregious because so many Soulslikes have embedded that mechanic into players’ muscle memories. It’s not as ifLords of the Fallentook away elevator shortcuts entirely, and making the ride tedious in run-backs is only perceivable as a frustrating change as a result.
There may not be that many lifts in the game overall, and if players carve their way throughAxiom and Umbralefficiently they may never need to backtrack or run-back via lifts anyhow. Still, it’s an unnecessary change to the classic FromSoftware formula that seems purely detrimental to the experience.
Lords of the Fallen
WHERE TO PLAY
An epic, dark fantasy action-RPG set in a vast world of shadow and chaos.Overthrow a resurrected demon god in this all-new adventure set in an interconnected world five times larger than the original game.In Lords of the Fallen, you play as one of the fabled Dark Crusaders, who must journey through the realms of the living and the dead to disrupt the reign of Adyr, a cruel tyrant who has ushered in a new age of devastation for humanity.Along the way, you’ll endure colossal boss battles and get to grips with a fast and challenging combat system. With nine character classes and hundreds of weapons to choose from, you’ll customize your hero and develop your own play style as you set out to defy the gods. Will your legend be one of light… or one of darkness?
