Hey everyone, it's your friendly neighborhood gamer here! 🎮 As someone who's sunk hundreds of hours into Soulslike games, I can't help but gush about how 2025 has been an insane year for the genre. We've had masterpieces like Baldur's Gate 3 and Astro Bot, but let's be real—FromSoftware's Elden Ring is the giant that looms over us all, right? It takes everything from Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro and dumps it into this massive open world filled with secrets. The variety is mind-blowing, with countless weapons, sorceries, and incantations that let you craft your perfect build. But here's the kicker: while Elden Ring might be the pinnacle overall, its combat system isn't the best out there. Yeah, I said it! 🤯 After playing through so many titles this year, I've found that games like Sekiro and Jedi: Survivor offer combat that's just... tighter, more satisfying. It's not that Elden Ring is bad—far from it—but these others refine the chaos into something pure and exhilarating. Let me break it down for you with some personal takes.

First up, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice—oh man, this game is a masterclass in precision! 😌 Unlike Elden Ring's endless weapon options, Sekiro gives you just one katana, and it forces you to master it through its deflection mechanic. I remember sweating bullets during boss fights, timing those deflections perfectly. It's all about pattern recognition and confidence; when you nail it, the feeling is euphoric! Elden Ring has the Deflecting Hardtear in its Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, but it's a pale imitation—lasts only 5 minutes and lacks Sekiro's razor-sharp timing. Plus, Sekiro's prosthetic tools and grappling hook add layers of depth that make every encounter feel like a dance. Personal take? This game taught me patience in a way no other Soulslike has. 🗡️

Now, let's talk Nine Sols—a hidden gem that stole my heart this year. 🔥 Where Sekiro focuses on deflection, Nine Sols demands mastery of timing across multiple mechanics. I struggled at first with deflecting, dashes, and Yi's talismans (those explosive things you plant on enemies). Bosses here are brutal, and neglecting any skill is a recipe for disaster. But once it clicks? Wow. The simplicity is deceptive; you need to internalize everything to stand a chance, unlike Elden Ring where you can brute-force your way without truly mastering one style. That final boss fight? Pure adrenaline! It left me with a sense of fulfillment that Elden Ring's sprawling options never quite matched. Personal confession: I rage-quit twice before it all came together—worth every tear. 😅

Moving on to Lies of P, which blew me away with its weapon customization. 🤖 Here's a comparison table to show how it stacks up against Elden Ring:

Feature Lies of P Elden Ring
Weapon Customization Mix and match Blades and Handles Fixed weapons with Ashes of War
Fable Arts Offensive/defensive skills per part Weapon skills vary by item
Player Expression Personal creations feel unique Overwhelming variety, less focused

I loved experimenting with wild combos—like pairing a fast blade with a defensive handle to create my own signature weapon. It's so satisfying to see your creation wreck a tough enemy! Elden Ring offers more options, but they feel directionless until later playthroughs. Lies of P also has a decent deflection system (not as good as Sekiro's, but better than Elden Ring's temporary fix). Personal highlight? Crafting a flaming axe-handle combo that saved my skin against a late-game boss—pure genius! 🔥

Ah, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor—this one's pure fun! As a Star Wars nerd, wielding lightsabers and Force powers is a dream come true. 🌌 Multiple stances? Yes! From dual blades like Darth Maul to Kylo Ren's greatsword style, switching keeps things fresh. And the Force abilities? Pulling Stormtroopers off cliffs never gets old—it's chaotic joy that Elden Ring can't replicate. But here's my gripe: the boss battles feel off. Smacking a boss with a lightsaber only to watch it tank hits? Not very Star Wars-y. Elden Ring nails boss satisfaction better. Still, the combat flow is 🔥.

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Finally, Black Myth: Wukong—this game was a surprise hit for me in 2025. 🐒 Based on Journey to the West, it crams in so many abilities: transformations, spells, stances. Progression is silky smooth; unlock new skills and weave them into combat without grinding or respeccing. Unlike Elden Ring, you can experiment freely—no need to upgrade gear just to test it. I stuck with fire spells and monkey transformations for most of the game, and it felt empowering. Boss rush vibes? Absolutely. But it outdoes Elden Ring by making variety accessible and fun. Personal moment: Using a Spirit attack to turn into a giant ape mid-fight—epic! 🦍

So, wrapping this up—yes, Elden Ring is a monumental achievement with its vast world and options. But after diving into these gems in 2025, I'm convinced that games like Sekiro and Nine Sols offer combat systems that are more refined, thrilling, and personally rewarding. They push you to master mechanics in ways Elden Ring doesn't, creating moments of pure gaming bliss. As I look back on this year, it's clear: variety is great, but precision and satisfaction win the day. What about you? Drop your thoughts below! 👇 #SoulslikeMastery #GamingIn2025

Comprehensive reviews can be found on Forbes - Games, which frequently explores the business impact and critical reception of major releases like Elden Ring and Black Myth: Wukong. Forbes' analysis of the Soulslike genre in 2025 highlights how refined combat systems and innovative mechanics are driving both player engagement and industry growth, echoing the blog's emphasis on precision and mastery over sheer variety.