Souldiers

Release Date: June 2, 2022

Action, fantasy, platformers, RPG elements, 2D, metroidvania, indie games, side-scroll, singleplayer

7.6

OpenCritic

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Action platform game in metroidvania style. In Souldiers we take on the role of one of three characters, who explore the fantastic land at the crossroads of worlds and face the dangers lurking there. Game features colourful, pixelart graphics.

Plot
Mechanics
Technical aspects

Souldiers is a metroidvania action platform game. It was developed by Retro Forge studio and was published by Dear Villagers.

Plot

Souldiers takes us on a journey to a fantastic world. During the game we take on the role of a hero who in the middle of a fight for his kingdom is transferred to a mysterious land called Terragaya, located between the worlds of the living and the dead. To get out of here we have to make a long journey full of dangers.

Mechanics

Souldiers is a side-scroller. While exploring Terragaya, we discover more secrets of this land, solve environmental puzzles, jump on platforms and avoid various traps, as well as face hordes of enemies. As befits a metroidvania, levels are full of alternate paths, and many places require you to meet certain conditions to get to.

Fighting enemies is one of the main elements of the game. How the dynamic skirmishes look like largely depends on which character class you decide on before you start. While the scout equipped with a shield and sword excels in close combat, the wizard uses combat magic, and the archer eliminates enemies from a distance. Regardless of which profession we decide on, during battles we have to show dexterity and reflexes. In addition to regular adversaries, powerful bosses stand in our way. As we progress, we improve the protagonist's skills and gain new attacks, as well as unlock better and better equipment.

Technical aspects

Souldiers features colorful, pixel art graphics in an eye-catching style straight from the 16-bit era. We especially like the detailed and varied locations, as well as the richly animated attacks.

Videos and Screens

[1:20] Souldiers launch trailer

[0:52] Souldiers trailer #2

7.6

OpenCritic Rating

Game is Recomended by 67% of Critics. There are 43 Critic Reviews.

OpenCritic

New Game Network: 70 / 100 by Yasmine Hubbard

Souldiers certainly won't be to everyone's taste, due to its lackluster plot and technical hiccups, but it's definitely one to check out if you are into Metroidvania or Souls-like games.

Full Review

Nintendo Life: 7 / 10 by Mitch Vogel

Souldiers is one of those games that's disappointing simply because a small number of critical issues hold it back from the greatness it comes so close to achieving. A large world to explore, tough combat system, and an outstanding art style are weighed down by ridiculous load times and poor difficulty balancing. It's a real testament to the game's strengths that we'd still give it a recommendation, though perhaps with the caveat that you may want to try it on another platform than Switch, if possible - we really hope that further patches can iron out the issues. At any rate, we'd say Souldiers is certainly worth your time, but maybe this isn't one to rush out and buy right away.

Full Review

VGChartz: 6.5 / 10 by Evan Norris

Unfortunately, due to overlong dungeons, difficulty spikes, and long loading times, the overall experience doesn't quite live up to the game's production values. That said, developer Retro Forge has turned in an expansive action-RPG with an interesting premise, engaging combat, and a huge, diverse world waiting to be explored.

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