Xbox Game Pass continues to be one of the best deals in gaming. With over 100 games currently available on the service, and more being added every single week, the relatively low price tag seems more than reasonable. Last month saw a handful of excellent games release on the service, including big titles likeMass Effect: Legendary EditionandTotal War: Warhammer 3. March seems to be no different, with a fewbig-name titles already confirmed to hit Xbox Game Pass, such asMarvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, andKentucky Route Zero. But among these well-known titles, a little indie gem namedYoung Soulsis also landing on Xbox Game Pass in March.
Originally a Google Stadia game,Young Soulsis a 2D, side-scrolling RPG brawler that, as the name would suggest, also has someSouls-like mechanics thrown in for good measure. For fans of other 2DSouls-likes, such asBlasphemousandDead Cells,Young Soulsshould definitely be one to watch out for.
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An RPG Brawler With Some Souls-Like Elements
InYoung Souls, players take control of a set of twins as they battle through a series of dungeons to find their captured foster father. The general gameplay loop will see players take down various fantastical monsters and enemies, using a wide variety of weapons to do so.
On the surface,Young Soulslooks more like a traditional brawler thanaSoulsgame. Attack animations are much faster and more frenetic than a typicalSouls-like, and the number of enemies on-screen is fairly high at all times. However, there are some key gameplay mechanics that firmly cement this game as aSouls-like.
For a start,Young Soulsfeatures a Stamina Meter that determines how often the player can dodge, which is a large focus of most combat encounters in the game. Aparry mechanicis also present, giving the player the opportunity to dispatch their opponents quickly if they master their timing.
Young Soulsfeatures an extensive selection of weapons, giving players a great deal of freedom in how they approach the game’s combat. Both close-range melee weapons and ranged weapons are present, with each category having a plethora of options ranging from longswords, to axes, to bows, to hammers.
After each series of encounters, players will reach a portal checkpoint, and will have the option to return to a hub area. This hub area acts similarly to theSoulsseries' Firelink Shrine, allowing players to level up and buy new gear from a range of vendors. However, players will need to balance the gear’s effectiveness with its weight, as an equipment load mechanic is in place, slowing the player down if they’re wearing heavier armor.
Young Soulsalso puts an emphasis on boss battles, with many appearing throughout the game’s story. Most of thesebosses are quite toughand will require the player to think tactically and use the game’s mechanics wisely. Some bosses are invulnerable to parries and require the player to whittle down their Parry Resistance Gauge before they can deliver some serious damage.
Another Co-Op Game Pass Title
Xbox Game Passis no stranger to great co-op experiences, andYoung Soulsmay just be another one. While all ofYoung Soulscan be played in singleplayer, giving the player the opportunity to switch between the siblings to perform devastating combos or revive one another, it can also be played in two player co-op.
Together, two players can chain combos, revive each other, and take on the entire game’s series of tough bosses. Thanks to a slew of accessibility options,Young Soulscan also be enjoyed by just about any type of player.
