Blighted’s Unique Mechanics Could Be The Next Big Thing In Soulslike Games
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
The soulslike genre has become the flavor-of-the-industry in recent years, thanks to games like Elden Ring and the namesake Dark Souls becoming massively successful. Nowadays, in order to stand out in this highly competitive space, a game needs some sort of engaging hook to reel players away from other titles–be it a gameplay mechanic, overarching story, or unique visual style.
Blighted–the latest from Guacamelee developer Drinkbox–is attempting to lure soulslike fans into its desolate world with all three of those elements, and the result is shaping up to be another hit under the Drinkbox banner. While at its core, it feels familiar to what players will expect, Blighted’s unique attributes waste no time in shining through, and after my time with the game at Summer Game Fest, I expect soulslike fans will have another incredible experience to sink their teeth into come 2026.
For those who missed the trailer at SGF Live, Blighted is an isometric action-RPG with combat similar to other soulslike games–slashing, dodging, and parrying are key to victory. It is set in a world befallen by Blight, a plague that alters reality itself. Before the Blight, the people of this world would plant a seed in the brain of those who passed away, and when a Memory Tree grew from that seed, the people would eat the fruit from the tree and gain the deceased person’s memories.
