Kotaku previews Stray Dog: nobody cares, a Steam soulslike where a stray dog armed with a frayed sword, inspired by Sekiro, uses stealth kills, precise parries, and brutal boss fights to rescue its master; release date has not been announced.
This Kotaku guide bundles 12 practical tips for Mortal Shell 2, from enabling auto-pickup for coins and choosing shells early (Tiel and Proxima) to managing finite Glimpses, using consumables as passives, and leveraging beacons, Sheephead Totem, Slayer Seal for easy mode, and Night mode for tougher play; it also highlights Tarstones, weapon drops, and a strong early grinding spot to level up.
Crimson Moon, a run-based soulslike action RPG from ProbablyMonsters, launches September 1 on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC for $20 (Deluxe Edition $30) with solo or two-player co-op across three districts, culminating in three world bosses and a final boss, blending precise combat with replayable missions and gothic art.
Beast of Reincarnation is a tough Soulslike from Game Freak, and this guide covers essential early tips: enable English voice in the main menu for clearer dialogue, don’t rely on Koo to carry you (he can handle himself), Emma can’t swim so plan routes over land, unlock the Dodge Roll upgrade to escape tight hit windows, scout campsites before major bosses to save and upgrade, don’t look up at the crescent moon, rest at walkers to resupply and hear companion conversations, watch wild fights to avoid being overwhelmed, use Emma’s hair to reach high ground and reposition for attacks, and if you’re still struggling you can drop to Story difficulty (lower damage, but you still need parry/dodge and to exploit enemy weaknesses).
Hardcore PS5 fans are snapping up the Revered Edition physical disc of Mortal Shell 2 ahead of its August release, prompting apologies from publisher Playstack as stock runs out across retailers. Priced at $70, the disc edition includes a physical art book and extras and is more expensive than the $50 digital version, with listings already fetching above sticker price on resale sites. The situation highlights that physical media still has demand among dedicated fans, even as many players go digital; a standard physical version will still be available at launch.
Guns of Eschaton, announced by Eschatology Entertainment after Viktor Antonov’s death, bills itself as a wild west–themed soulslike FPS with deliberate gunplay, brutalist-industrial visuals, solo and co-op play (with PvP teased); no release date yet, but PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S are listed.
Mistfall Hunter is a new co-op dark fantasy RPG that combines Soulslike combat with PvPvE extraction gameplay. Teams explore dangerous environments, fight grotesque monsters and bosses, collect loot, and choose whether to extract or push deeper at the risk of losing it all to the environment or rival players. An Open Beta is live through June 22 across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, ahead of a July 29 launch.
Housemarque plans to keep its punishing “bullet ballet” formula in Saros and Returnal, aiming to educate the market that tough Soulslike games can be mainstream hits, drawing inspiration from FromSoftware’s journey and signaling ongoing updates (like new trophies and photo mode) as word-of-mouth grows.
Mistfall Hunter’s free open beta is live on PS5, pairing Gothic Soulslike combat with loot-and-extraction mechanics. You can play solo or with friends, cross-play is supported, and the full game launches July 30. The beta weighs just under 36GB.
A dense, Zelda-inspired open-world action-platformer that fuses Game Boy aesthetics with Elden Ring–level freedom and a tough, skill-based combat system; Mina the Hollower impresses with interconnected dungeons built into the world, a wide arsenal of weapons and Sidearms, and a modular difficulty that rewards mastery, earning a 9/10 Superb verdict.
Marathon's new Cryo Archive endgame dungeon is a seven-vault, time-limited, RNG-driven labyrinth on a Bungie extraction-shooter map. Players must collect security keys, solve vault puzzles, and contend with a brutal boss (The Compiler) before exfiltration on weekends, all within a hostile, PvP-tinged environment. Early reactions praise the depth and mastery on display, while critics warn the grindy RNG and balance questions could threaten long-term appeal.
ProbablyMonsters unveils Crimson Moon, a gothic action RPG for PS5 in 2026, offering solo or two-player co-op, Soulslike-inspired combat, and roguelike replayable runs starring a Nephilim hero.
Nioh 3 injects a dual-playstyle system (samurai and ninja) into expansive, vertically designed maps, combining tight, customizable combat with brutal boss encounters. While not an Elden Ring clone, its open-field structure and deep build options deliver a demanding, highly rewarding Soulslike experience that rewards careful exploration and mastery.
Code Vein 2 aims to be a sprawling vampire Soulslike with a time‑travel twist, delivering satisfying combat, an invincible companion system, and flashy special attacks, but it overextends itself with dull, repetitive dungeons, reused enemies and bosses, and padding that drains the tension. If you loved the first game, you’ll find some improvements, but the open-world design and visuals can feel underwhelming compared to its stylish predecessor.
Bloodborne is a “special game” to Hidetaka Miyazaki and “the strongest reflection” of his personal approach to game design, shaped by a challenging development cycle and his own storytelling, world-building, and gameplay ideas. The piece underscores Bloodborne’s enduring cult appeal, its PS4 exclusivity, and fan interest in a remake or PC port, while noting that a sequel remains unconfirmed.