10 Recent Soulslike Games That Didn't Get Enough Love

4. Grime

Lords of the Fallen
Clover Bite

Developed by Clover Bite, Grime carves out a unique identity in a crowded genre with its fluid mechanics, inventive world design, and original combat.

The art direction is stunning, enhanced by a haunting soundtrack that underscores the game’s tone perfectly. The environments are intricately crafted, so each biome is distinct in its own grotesque way. Unlike most Metroidvanias, back-tracking is kept to a minimum, thanks to the phenomenal world structure.

Another aspect that amplifies the atmosphere is the Lovecraftian-inspired enemies. These eldritch abominations are so unsettling, they'd give Stephen King nightmares.

However, it's the combat where Grime truly excels. Rather than relying on traditional healing items, Grime's black-hole headed hero must absorb enemies and their attacks to maintain his health. This mechanic creates a risk-reward dynamic, since you must choose whether to avoid an enemy's assault or absorb it, knowing the latter could result in his doom if mistimed.

On top of that, the upgrade system encourages experimentation with different builds and weapons, allowing players to use whatever combination best suits them.

With the release of two free DLCs recently, now is the perfect time to explore the world of Grime.

Contributor

James Egan has been with Whatculture for five years and prominently works on Horror, Film, and Video Games. He's written over 80 books including 1000 Facts about Horror Movies Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts about The Greatest Films Ever Made Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts about Video Games Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts About James Bond 1000 Facts About TV Shows