The Soulslike genre is relatively new, which is why the idea of remastering titles in this genre may seem odd. However, if PlayStation has proven anything, it’s that players will eat up remasters of recent critically-acclaimed titles even if they have their complaints about this approach.
Soulslikes that arrived when this genre was gaining steam can do with a modern reimagining, especially if the gameplay itself needs some fine-tuning. With more and more people getting into these hardcore titles, it’s easy to see why remasters of both popular and flawed Soulslikes have a market.
Dark Souls 3
Fans Hope The Rumors Surrounding This Remaster Are True
Rumors are swirling about a remaster for Dark Souls 3, which doesn’t sound like the most out-there thing in the world. After all, the first Dark Souls received the remaster treatment, so there’s no reason why the final title in the trilogy shouldn’t be a recipient of the same.
Despite some flaws, Dark Souls 3 is still an excellent game that fans will love for its homage to the events of the first game, coupled with incredible boss fights that push players to reach new heights. A remaster can bring more eyes toward this title, especially with Elden Ring becoming such a massive success that more players want to check out FromSoftware’s previous titles.
Bloodborne
One Of The Most Requested Remasters Of All Time
Everyone even remotely familiar with the Soulslike genre knows that the demand for a Bloodborne remaster has been immense. After all, many people consider this to be Miyazaki’s magnum opus, which says a lot since this director has crafted incredible titles like Dark Souls and Elden Ring, two of the greatest and most important games ever made that helped FromSoftware reach new heights.
The gothic art style ropes players in before the game’s Lovecraftian horror rears its nightmarish head and keeps players hooked till the very end. The fact that this game is locked at 30 FPS on PlayStation is nothing short of a crime, and it’s high time that one of the most coveted FromSoftware games of all time is given the remaster treatment it deserves so that more people can check out this masterpiece.
Nioh
The Original Nioh Can Do With A Modern Release That Polishes Some Aspects
Nioh
10/10
Released
February 7, 2017
Back when the Soulslike trend was still in its infancy, Team Ninja decided to use their expertise in developing tough video games like the 3D Ninja Gaiden games and infuse them with FromSoftware’s DNA. The result is Nioh, a game with fun combat, randomized gear, and a ton of balancing issues, especially near the start.
The latter can be fixed in a remaster so that players don’t give up after struggling in the very first area. If a modern take on Nioh fixes this glaring issue, players will fall in love with William and his combat expertise in no time. Switching stances, experimenting with different weapon types, and mastering the Ki Pulse mechanic will turn players into masters of Nioh’s overbearing combat system.
Dark Souls 2
Hopefully, A Remaster Will Make It Clear That This Game Is Underappreciated
Dark Souls 2 is labelled as the black sheep of modern FromSoftware action RPGs, mainly since Miyazaki didn’t direct this title. It’s a shame, since the sequel to Dark Souls has its strengths and is well worth checking out for fans who would enjoy a fresh approach to the formula established by the first game and Demon’s Souls.
The level design may be haphazard, and the emphasis on gank encounters is irritating, but Dark Souls 2 has a ton of love put into it that fans will notice once they get over some of the game’s issues. Majula is arguably the best hub in a FromSoftware game, while the act of fighting during an invasion is easily the most action-packed set piece the series has ever attempted.
The Surge
The First Entry Is Flawed And Could Do With A Modern Reimagining Of Sorts
Lords of the Fallen was an early Soulslike that was put through the wringer for misunderstanding what made Dark Souls great, and The Surge had minor improvements but wasn’t too memorable in the eyes of many. The former was taken over by another developer and was vastly improved, while Deck13 developed a sequel to The Surge that was a massive improvement in every department.
This is why a remaster of the first game would be a wise move. The sci-fi setting is riveting, and the remaster can fix some of the issues surrounding the combat system and fine-tune certain encounters to make it a vastly improved experience from the original, which can easily make it a sales hit in a market where Soulslikes are more coveted than ever before.
Ashen
A Remaster May Help More People Appreciate This Title’s Qualities
Ashen
Released
December 7, 2018
A Soulslite with fun co-op elements, Ashen is a fun game for fans of FromSoftware’s action RPGs who want to enjoy an experience that’s slightly more forgiving and doesn’t take too long. The current state of Ashen is in a weird place, with the multiplayer elements causing the game to crash for many.
Not only can a remaster spruce up the visuals just a bit, but it can also rectify these issues and help Ashen enjoy the fame it deserves. Exploring a sunless world and fighting tough monsters will feel better than ever, regardless of whether players tackle this game alone or check it out with a friend.
