10 Recent Soulslike Games That Didn't Get Enough Love
9. The Last Hero Of Nostalgaia
Coatsink's light-hearted role-player successfully blends the punishing gameplay of a Soulslike with a satirical take on video game nostalgia.
As you progress through The Last Hero of Nostalgaia, the narrator butts in with witty and self-deprecating comments, usually delivered with a mix of resentment and reluctant admiration. Not only are these passive-aggressive putdowns hilarious, it helps set the comedic RPG apart from its overly serious peers.
Being a parody, the self-aware title could've missed the mark if it focused too much on the jokes. Fortunately, The Last Hero of Nostalgaia offers responsive combat, terrific gameplay, and a hefty amount of exploration.
Dying repeatedly is a frustrating part of Soulslikes, but it's not as annoying here. The narrator is always eager to berate you so you're kind of looking forward to hearing his snarky comments each time you encounter failure.
Although meshing 3D environments with pixelated characters could be jarring, it ties into the game's emotional story and darker themes about isolation and feeling different.
Even though The Last Hero of Nostalgaia could've been a nostalgia-heavy title that relies on cheap gags, it's surprisingly deep, layered, and imaginative.