Every year the PC Gaming Show delivers a range of announcements separate from PlayStation, Xbox, and other publishers. One such game debuted this year isSoulsticefrom Italy-based Reply Game Studios.Soulsticeis aSouls-like that leans towardDevil May Cry’s faster and more intricate action.Soulsticeis set to release in 2022 on PC and next-gen consoles, including the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Soulstice’s announcement trailer delivers what fans of theSouls-like subgenre should want: Adark fantasy styleand setting, mature gameplay and atmosphere, hints at robust lore, dangerous encounters, as well as larger-than-life enemies and bosses. Reply Game Studios makes no apologies about making a game so directly inspired by From Software, acknowledging thatSoulstice’s atmosphere takes a lot from theDark Soulsgames.
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However,Soulsticealso makes clear it deviates from theSoulsformula with regards to gameplay. Instead of the methodical, tactical action ofSouls-likes,Soulsticeis “completely a hack-and-slash game” inspired byDevil May Cry,Bayonetta, andNier. Combat is also a much broader focus inSoulsticecompared to a typicalSoulsgame, with “70%” of gameplay dedicated to action and the remaining 30% used for exploration and interacting with the world ofSoulstice.
While there are hints atSoulstice’satmospheric lorein the game’s announcement trailer, like in the opening sequence with the stained glass window, it isn’t directly touched on. Instead, Reply Game Studios addresses it onSoulstice’s website.Soulsticeis based in the Holy Kingdom of Keidas, where Wraiths attack the living from their home on the other side of the Veil. The players take on the role of a Chimera, a two-souled warrior, to defend humanity from Wraiths.
On top of the lore is a story about two sisters. Briar and Lute have beenreborn as a Chimera, with Lute sacrificing her body to join her soul with Lute. Joined, Briar and Lute are tasked by the Order to reclaim a city from the Wraiths. However, they’ll apparently find that the Order isn’t all they were led to believe. Exactly how in-depthSoulstice’s story turns out to be remains to be seen, but Reply Game Studios does note that the main character has a voice actor.
In tandem withSoulstice’sDark SoulsandDevil May Cryinspirations, Reply Game Studios also wants to pull from the team’s own experiences.Soulsticetakes on a more “European style” due to its Italian roots. While the game’s anime influences are apparent, Reply Games Studios saysSolsticeis something only it can provide.
Soulsticereleases in 2022 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
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