Blighted’s Unique Mechanics Could Be The Next Big Thing In Souls-like Games

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In recent times, the souls-like genre has gained immense popularity, with games such as Elden Ring and Dark Souls garnering massive success. To make an impact in this intensely competitive market, a game must offer something captivating to draw players from other titles – this could be innovative gameplay, a compelling narrative, or a distinctive visual aesthetic.

In a fresh take on a familiar formula, the recently released title from Guacamelee’s creators, Drinkbox Studios, titled Blighted, is skillfully drawing in fans of Souls-like games with its desolate landscape and challenging gameplay mechanics. The game promises to deliver another successful addition under the Drinkbox banner, and based on my hands-on experience at Summer Game Fest, I am confident that Souls-like enthusiasts will find an engaging adventure when Blighted releases in 2026.

If you didn’t catch the trailer at SGF Live, Blighted is an action-RPG with isometric view, where gameplay resembles other soul-like games: success depends on slashing, dodging, and parrying. The story unfolds in a world devastated by the Blight, a contagion that distorts reality. Prior to the Blight, the people of this world would plant seeds from deceased individuals’ brains, and Memory Trees grew from those seeds. By eating the fruits of these trees, they absorbed the memories of the departed.

Yet, it was revealed that a menacing character known as Sorcisto gained immense power and wisdom by consuming brains directly. Driven by this discovery, Sorcisto devoured the brains of every deceased individual he could locate. This horrific act unleashed the Blight upon the world, transforming him into the wicked demon that the player must vanquish.

As players vanquish formidable foes, they are compelled to consume their brains. This action risks establishing Sorcisto’s actions as a recurring pattern rather than an isolated incident. The looming danger and the way the game subtly hints at the accumulating Corruption in the player character following a boss defeat in the demo suggest a narrative that could potentially rank among the best the genre has ever offered.

In the Blighted demo, fighting seems to be the most ordinary aspect when comparing it to other souls-like games. However, Drinkbox Studios is not attempting to mend what isn’t broken by establishing a familiar system that newcomers can easily grasp. The battles with enemies are nerve-wracking experiences, characterized by the option to dodge, parry, and locate opportunities for attacks – these features being key elements that make this genre so popular among players.

In this game, clashing swords felt incredibly gratifying, much like in other action games I’ve played. The thrill of deflecting an attack and instantly retaliating with a powerful counterattack never gets old. And let me tell you, the climactic boss battle against that spider-horse monster took it to another level. There was something truly satisfying about watching it crumble after a perfectly timed parry.

Instead of playing alone, I was fortunate enough that the developer guided me through the game. This not only showcased Blighted’s cooperative features, but it also meant that those who find soul-like games challenging (like myself) could team up with a friend from the start. Having the developer accompany me made it easier for me to get acclimated quickly, which in turn significantly increased my enjoyment of the demo.

Regardless of its resemblance to previous combats, Blighted offers a distinct feature that’s brimming with potential: The intriguing mechanic known as ‘Blight’. This mechanic is constantly displayed on-screen through a ‘Blight gauge’, which fluctuates based on your in-game actions. As the amount of Blight accumulated increased, so did the game’s challenge; however, when I perished and had to resume, some of my Blight gauge was depleted, thus reducing the overall difficulty level.

As a dedicated fan, I appreciate how Blighted cleverly bypasses one of the ongoing debates in the souls-like genre: “How challenging should the game be?” Instead, it poses an intriguing question: “How difficult do you want the game to be based on your own skill level?” This player-centric approach could potentially revolutionize the souls-like genre, as the difficulty level becomes a reflection of our individual abilities. If this system proves successful in the final release, it could mark a significant leap forward for the genre.

In a nutshell, the quick demonstration I witnessed merely showcased the Blight system functioning – I observed the meter fluctuating based on my actions, yet I didn’t detect any significant alterations in enemy toughness or other challenge markers. However, despite this initial limited interaction, it still appears to be a concept with immense potential. It may require further exploration to fully experience its impact.

The entirety of Blighted is set within a world that appears as if it’s in internal conflict visually. Remnants of the collapsed civilization, such as colorful structures, elaborate murals, and other elements, are overtaken by darkness and decay due to the Blight, resulting in an intriguing visual contrast. Every realm I traversed during my demo time told its unique tale, and each one ultimately led back to Sorcisto, the demon who rejected the established ways of his kinand brought destruction upon an entire populace as a result.

It appears that Drinkbox has hit the mark with Blighted; they’ve combined traditional souls-like gameplay mechanics, a distinct narrative, and an inventive take on challenge level to potentially breathe even more life into a genre brimming with fresh concepts. If the Blight idea succeeds, it could be revolutionary; even if not, there’s still much to appreciate in Blighted, suggesting that Drinkbox might be adding another success story to their portfolio which already includes Guacamelee, Severed, and Nobody Saves The World.

Blighted is set to launch in 2026 on consoles and PC.

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2025-06-17 00:10