Eldest Souls
Rating Summary
Based on 31 critic reviews
OpenCritic Rating
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Top Critic
As a game Eldest Souls does not hide the fact it is a tough game but it is trying to outshine in a genre that has had better examples, and better bosses over the years. Eldest Souls is by no means a bad game but it does rely on players having luck on their side a little bit too much, and that can make it a frustrating experience rather than a fun or engaging one.
Top Critic
While it wears its obvious influences on its sleeve, Eldest Souls is an incredibly satisfying boss rush that still manages to set itself apart.
Top Critic
Eldest Souls' punishing difficulty may turn off some, but this entertaining and rewarding combat system made me look forward to every titanic face-off
Top Critic
While the overall world-building and customization options leave a lot to be desired, Eldest Souls is still a worthy game for Souls' fanatics despite its blatant flaws.
Top Critic
For the Dark Souls fan who sees every From Software game as a validation of the “git gud” mentality, Eldest Souls will probably scratch a persistent itch. For everyone else, especially those who appreciate Souls-like games for their journeys and not their boss destinations, Eldest Souls may seem too focused on doing one thing, no matter how well it succeeds. Eldest Souls is designed around frustration and challenge, and if that’s your idea of a good time, then this game is for you.
Top Critic
Eldest Souls will punish you with its difficulty, but you're going to love it thanks to refreshing combat mechanics and ridiculously frantic boss fights. However, you might encounter a few issues due to visual miscues, and replayability is solely dependent on how much you wish to rerun tougher encounters.
Top Critic
Eldest Souls wears its inspiration on its sleeve, though in the end that counts for very little. The boss fights are often unbalanced and tedious, which only contributes to a frustration that deters you from wanting to pick the controller back up.
Top Critic
As lovers of the narrative aspect of Hidetaka Miyazaki's work more than the high level of challenge regardless, we struggled to fall in love with Eldest Souls. Because, while somehow attempting to mimic the fragmented writing cleared by From Software, this experiment fails to be evocative in the same way. The debut of Fallen Flag Studio speaks more the language of those who are desperately looking for challenges, but risking to leave out all those who in such a title are looking for something more than such a smugly hardcore approach.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Top Critic
This is why I don't think it's really apt to say that Eldest Souls is a Souls-like game (though what defines a souls-like game is really not a debate that I'd like to get into). Rather, I think it's a boss-rush game with Souls-like aesthetics because, in terms of gameplay, the only real similarity with the Dark Souls franchise is the fact that it's a difficult game with a stamina bar, boss fights, and a focus on dodge mechanics. Consequently, it's also why I feel if you're looking for a game similar to the Soulsborne games, Eldest Souls may not be your cup of tea. But hey, if you're a fan of boss rush hack-and-slash games, why not give it a try?
Top Critic
If you’re hungry for a fresh Souls-like experience, this isn’t it. If you’re the type of player who craves a challenge and loves memorizing boss patterns, then this could be for you. Just don’t expect to have meaningful options.
