Summary
Soulsikes often follow the same formula as the games that inspired their design, namely theSoulsgames and other associable action games developed by FromSoftware. There’s a lot of nuance towhat a Soulslike may entail, and many studios have iterated on the formula ad nauseam now with fresh takes on a lot of mechanics. Largely, though, this formula stems from levels with enemies peppered throughout and a grueling series of boss battles players need to overcome to progress between each.
This is no different inSekiro: Shadows Die Twice, but the Ashina-set action-adventure game is far more unique in its approach to traditional Soulslike features. That’s made evident in features such as its iconic parry and posture systems, fluid grappling hook traversal, and upgradeable prosthetic tools. Two tremendously overpowered foes inSekiroaren’t technically enemies in the traditional sense, and FromSoftware’s next game having something like them could be equally fantastic.
Sekiro’s Great Serpents Make for Terrific World Events
How Great Serpents Contribute to Sekiro’s Lore
Sekiro’s Great Serpentsare memorable for quite a few thrilling moments in the game, both mandatory and optional. Players’ initial introduction to a Great Serpent teaches them that they are not to be trifled with and that anything besides fleeing or hiding from it will result in a swift death, which is already far more unique of an enemy than any other inSekiroor any of theSouls-esque games that came before it from FromSoftware.
Instead, Great Serpents are less like enemies and more like colossal creatures or hostile NPCs that players interact with in different ways depending on where they’re met and how far players have progressed into the story.
It may be easy to forget about them a little way through the game, though, and many players might not even realize that there are two instead of the same. One is even killable by plunging down atop it at its resting place, though certain progression is needed beforehand.Great Serpents are integral to the overarching lore of mythical beasts inSekiroand specifically in achieving a unique ending that involves procuring Fresh and Dried Serpent Viscera.
How Great Serpents Could Influence Future FromSoftware Games
There truly isn’t anything like the Great Serpents in any other FromSoftware game. To be fair,Sekirohas a lot of features players would never see in any other comparable game, but Great Serpents being so intrinsic to the lore and playing such an exciting role as players maneuver through the world makes for some thrilling interactions.
It would be difficult to corner players into scripted moments like these in an open-world game, meaning thatanElden Ring 2probably wouldn’t be the greatest environment to experiment with something similar. But if FromSoftware decided to make another linear action-RPG there are endless ways it could incorporate another colossal entity that players aren’t able to kill right away.
Moreover, dragons have served roles familiar to the Great Serpents before, but dragons are almost always killable in these same instances via actual fights, rather than a one-hit kill meant to be a spectacle. If a massive spider or other monster was to lurk around and search for the player, constantly recurring in mandatory and optional encounters, that could once moregive FromSoftware a highly memorable and unique spin on its formula.
Games likeDark SoulsandBloodbornehave rich stories if players care to dig around enough, but they arguably aren’t the sole focus. Rather,Sekirowas much more story-driven with an actual established protagonist, and yet a Great Serpent-like threat will always be enticing so long as players can eventually slay it or glean a rare ending from it.
