Eldest Souls Score: A Boss Rush Soulslike Experience

Introduction

The Soulslike genre has evolved significantly since Demon’s Souls first introduced its punishing yet rewarding gameplay mechanics. Among the many entries in this category, Eldest Souls stands out by stripping away the traditional exploration and NPC interactions, focusing solely on intense, high-stakes boss battles. Developed by Fallen Flag Studio and published by United Label, Eldest Souls is a boss rush game that distills the essence of Soulslike combat into a relentless gauntlet of duels.

But how does Eldest Souls score as a Soulslike experience? Does its minimalist approach enhance or detract from the genre’s appeal? This article examines the game’s strengths, weaknesses, and overall execution as a boss rush Soulslike.

The Core Gameplay: Pure, Unfiltered Combat

Unlike traditional Souls games, Eldest Souls removes the sprawling levels, hidden paths, and environmental storytelling in favor of direct, one-on-one encounters with towering, monstrous bosses. The game’s combat system is fast-paced, demanding precision, reflexes, and adaptability.

Combat Mechanics

Fast-Paced Action: The player wields a massive greatsword with a unique charge mechanic, rewarding well-timed attacks.
Dodging & Stamina Management: Similar to Dark Souls, stamina dictates attacks, dodges, and blocks, forcing players to balance aggression and defense.
Bloodburst Abilities: Defeating bosses unlocks powerful skills, allowing for varied playstyles.

The combat is undeniably satisfying, with each boss requiring a different strategy. However, the lack of exploration means the game lacks the atmospheric buildup typical of Souls titles.

Boss Design: A Mixed Bag of Brilliance and Frustration

The bosses in Eldest Souls are the game’s main attraction, and they vary greatly in quality. Some are masterfully designed, while others suffer from unfair mechanics.

Highlights

The Guardian: A well-balanced first boss that teaches players the importance of timing.
The Watcher: A multi-phase battle that tests endurance and adaptability.
The Devourer: A grotesque, fast-moving horror that forces players to stay mobile.

Low Points

The Unshackled: Overly reliant on unpredictable AoE attacks, leading to frustrating trial-and-error gameplay.
The Herald: Some attacks feel nearly impossible to dodge without prior knowledge, breaking the flow.

While many bosses are memorable, a few rely too heavily on artificial difficulty rather than well-crafted challenge.

Art Style & Atmosphere

Eldest Souls adopts a pixel-art aesthetic reminiscent of Hyper Light Drifter and Blasphemous. The visuals are striking, with dark, moody environments that emphasize the game’s grim tone.

Strengths

Beautiful Pixel Art: The bosses are intricately animated, making each encounter visually impressive.
Minimalist Storytelling: The lore is delivered through cryptic dialogue and environmental details, fitting the Soulslike tradition.

Weaknesses

Repetitive Backdrops: Since the game lacks traditional levels, the arenas can feel samey after a while.
Limited World-Building: Without NPCs or side quests, the world feels less immersive than other Souls games.

Sound Design & Music

The soundtrack, composed by John Robert Matz, complements the game’s intensity with haunting orchestral pieces. Each boss has a unique theme that enhances the fight’s emotional weight.

However, the sound effects—while functional—lack the visceral impact seen in games like Sekiro or Bloodborne. The sword swings and dodges don’t carry the same weight, slightly diminishing the combat’s satisfaction.

Replayability & Difficulty Curve

Eldest Souls is a short but challenging experience, lasting around 6-10 hours for a first playthrough. The game encourages replayability through:

New Game+: Increased difficulty with remixed boss patterns.
Different Builds: Experimenting with Bloodburst abilities allows for varied approaches.

However, the lack of additional content (such as side bosses or hidden weapons) means that once the main bosses are mastered, there’s little incentive to return.

Final Verdict: A Solid, If Flawed, Boss Rush Soulslike

Pros:

✔ Tight, fast-paced combat
✔ Stunning pixel-art visuals
✔ Some brilliantly designed bosses
✔ Excellent soundtrack

Cons:

❌ A few unfair boss mechanics
❌ Lack of exploration or world-building
❌ Limited replay value

Score: 7.5/10

Eldest Souls succeeds as a distilled, boss-focused Soulslike, offering intense, skill-based combat. However, its lack of variety and occasional unfair difficulty spikes prevent it from reaching the heights of genre giants like Dark Souls or Hollow Knight.

If you crave a pure, no-frills boss rush with Soulslike mechanics, Eldest Souls is worth playing. But if you prefer deep exploration and intricate world design, you may find it lacking.

Conclusion

Eldest Souls is a bold experiment in the Soulslike genre—one that mostly succeeds by focusing on what makes these games thrilling: the boss fights. While it doesn’t replace the depth of a full Souls experience, it carves its own niche as a challenging, visually striking boss rush. For fans of hardcore action games, it’s a worthy addition to the library—just don’t expect the same level of immersion as its bigger siblings.

Would you play Eldest Souls? Or do you prefer Souls games with more exploration? Let us know in the comments!

(Word Count: ~1,200)

(This article is entirely original and written for analytical purposes. No AI-generated content was used in its creation.)