Nowadays, it can feel as though a new Soulslike releases every other week, and that’s not entirely wrong. SinceDark Souls' release in 2011, FromSoftware’s unique brand of methodical third-person action infused with RPG elements has been imitated in a plethora of games to varying degrees of success. For everyStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Orderwhich manages to push the genre in exciting new directions, there’s aLords of the Fallenthat copies the mechanics but doesn’t quite understand how or why FromSoftware made them that way.Soulsticeis the latest in a year filled with Soulslikes, and based on the trailers released so far, it seems as though it might just be a stand-out example.
Releasing on June 02, 2025,Soulsticeis proudly adopting the Soulslike formulabut putting its own distinctive spin on things. ThoughSoulsticeseems to be adopting a similar tone, setting, and gameplay style as other Soulslikes, there are some key differences that set it apart, most of which revolve around the game’s combat mechanics which see the player control two individual fighters.
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Soulstice’s Soulslike Story
While FromSoftware’sDark Soulsseries is firmly cemented in the fantasy genre, it’s also often influenced by gothic horror.Soulsticelooks to be doing the exact same thing. Set in the Holy Kingdom of Keidas,Soulstice’s worldhas fallen into chaos, with monsters called “Wraiths” traveling over from their own world to dominate this one. Appearing via a rift known as the “Veil,” these Wraiths are capable of corrupting the land and possessing its inhabitants, eventually turning them into monsters much like themselves.
Soulsticeputs players in the boots of the sister duo Briar and Lute. In an attempt to save their world, Lute sacrificed herself so that she can be eternally bound to her sister, their linked souls forming a powerful bond, and transforming the duo into a “Chimera,” the only beings capable of defeating the Wraiths. Inbecoming a Chimera, Briar has retained her human form but has gained supernatural strength, whereas Lute has lost her physical form but aids her sister as a spirit with mystical powers.
From the get-go,Soulstice’s plot fit well and truly into the Soulslike genre. Themes of grief, loss, power, and sacrifice are all common staples of the Soulslike genre, and they’re all right here inSoulstice. On top of that,Soulstice’s art designseems very reminiscent of aSoulstitle, with dark, gothic landscapes dominating the trailers, and large, hulking, armored bosses leaping from the top of cathedrals.
Soulstice’s Unique Take On Soulslike Combat
The real hook ofSoulsticeis its dual protagonist gameplay. According to all the marketing released so far,Soulsticelets players control both Briar and Lute at the same time, with Briar using much of the usual Soulslike,third-person combat mechanics, while Lute attacks the enemies with her ranged supernatural abilities. Over the course of the game, players will be able to unlock more abilities for both sisters, eventually leading to powers that utilize both sisters at once.
WhileSoulsticecertainly belongs to the Soulslike genre, its gameplay does err more on the side of a hack-and-slash as opposed toDark Souls' more methodical, slow-paced gameplay. As players progress throughSoulstice, they’ll unlock more weapons and the ability to customize them. Theseweapons can be swapped on the fly duringSoulstice’s combat, even mid-combo. For those looking for a more fast-paced Soulslike,Soulsticeis certainly one worth keeping an eye on.
Soulsticeis set for a Jun 11, 2025 release for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
