Lords of the Fallen (2023)

Our analysis

Lords of the Fallen improves on its 2014 namesake with versatile combat and striking exploration across two planes. But confusing levels, dense enemies and overtuned difficulty undermine its fresh ideas, leading the reviewer to quit after about 18 hours.

Our analysis

Lords of the Fallen offers rewarding exploration, an atmospheric world, and a distinctive dual-realm system. Engaging combat and flexible builds make it worthwhile despite overwhelming enemy encounters and lingering performance issues.

Our analysis

A dark-fantasy Souls-like where you play a Lamp Bearer crossing between the living and dead worlds. Theme, atmosphere, music and exploration impress, but floaty combat, poor targeting, bugged bosses and cheap ambushes left the launch version unsatisfying; Hexworks keeps patching it.

Our analysis

Hexworks' Lords of the Fallen reboot is a great Soulslike with excellent exploration and dense world design and a ton of weapons, but constant stuttering on PC keeps it from a full recommendation until a patch fixes it.

Our analysis

Lords of the Fallen (2023) earns a recommendation for Souls fans through its enormous interconnected world, addictive exploration and plentiful loot. Combat lacks polish, while frame-rate and multiplayer issues detract from an otherwise enjoyable experience.

Our analysis

Lords of the Fallen has a vast, beautiful world, an intriguing Umbral realm and imaginative bosses. But confusing level design, sparse checkpoints and drawn-out encounters turn its challenges into tedium, making the payoff feel unworthy of the investment.

Our analysis

HEXWORKS' Lords of the Fallen is an enjoyable, challenging soulslike with stunning environments and superb atmosphere. Uneven combat balancing and bewildering level layouts hinder it, but fans of oppressive worlds will find much to love.