SteelRising is the latest game from Spiders Games, the same developers behind Greedfall and The Technomancer. Set in an alternative 1789 Paris, the player controls an automaton named Aegis as she attempts to stop a mechanical army from taking over the French capitol.
The latest of many soulslike games popularized by FromSoftware, those who have been enjoying this title might also like some others from the genre that have already been released. And with its alternative history, mechanical beings, and detailed steampunk levels to maneuver, there are plenty of games from other genres worth checking out that have been able to use these elements effectively to create gorgeous and detailed worlds.
Remember Me (2013)
Before they became infamous with the first two Life Is Strange games and other narrative-based adventure titles, Don't Nod's first entered the video game industry with Remember Me. Set in a futuristic Paris, Nillin must reclaim her lost memories and battle the forces of a sinister corporation known as Memorize.
With a new look at the famous city and interesting robotic forces blocking Nillin's way, the game attempted to try and bring in a fresh look on a familiar location while adding some fun combos and weapons to experiment with that some may want to enjoy. Hopefully SteelRising will be more fondly remembered than this game, but those with a Steam account can unearth what is now regarded as a hidden gem.
Dishonored 2 (2016)
After the critical and financial success of the first game, Dishonored 2 would take fans back to the fictional city of Dunwall as Emily Kaldwin and Corvo Attano must reclaim the throne and restore peace once again to the nation's kingdom. With a new playable protagonist, additional powers, and new foes to face off against, the sequel was able to build on an already stellar game that celebrates its 10th birthday this year.
With a detailed and unique steampunk world, Arkane Studios' hit series shouldn't be missed by anyone who enjoyed the desolate French setting. With hidden details to uncover as well in every nook and cranny, many will enjoy the world building that Spiders Games attempted to implement in their latest adventure.
Assassin's Creed: Unity (2014)
It may have started with an initially buggy release, but Assassin's Creed Unity was able to sell millions of units. Set during the French Revolution, assassin Arno Dorian must uncover the person responsible for this historical conflict with the help of other fellow members of the order.
Being able to interact with the iconic locations and historical figures of Paris during the 1700s was a technical triumph then and while SteelRising didn't quite go in the same depth, it was able to use the technology of next-gen consoles to bring the city and the people back to life. Unity's combat may not be its biggest draw, but the historical world certainly will be for those looking for more French-based landscapes to explore.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (2019)
After a successful launch and a series of updated relaunches, fans of Star Wars rooted for Cal Kestis as he went up against the Inquisitors with his trusty lightsaber and allies. And it is no surprise that this new addition to the canon will continue with his adventures in the anticipated sequel, Star Wars Jedi Survivor.
There aren't a lot of sci-fi soulslike games out there, but this is easily among the best that is worth playing if fans already haven't done so. And with a detailed story woven into it, those who enjoy the mix of engaging storytelling and difficult combat might find themselves invested in one of the most difficult Star Wars games.
Bioshock Infinite (2013)
The third entry in the critically acclaimed series, Bioshock Infinite saw Booker Dewitt sent to rescue Elizabeth from the floating city of Columbia in an alternative timeline set in 1912. It's a dark and mature game that many still regard as one of the best first-person shooters of all time.
This is a city worth exploring to see the amount of detail that went into creating it that some should consider despite being a completely different genre. And with robotic threats ready to shoot Dewitt, it shares some interesting strategies to take them down that those looking for similar gameplay approaches might appreciate.
Code Vein (2019)
Bandai Namco finally jumped on board with the popularity of the soulslike games and created Code Vein. But unlike other games in the sub-genre, it visually stood out with its anime-inspired character designs, a ruined dystopian city, and an AI character tagging along the journey to help fight off the many creatures roaming the lands.
Fans of challenging gameplay may enjoy exploring this ruined sci-fi world and the many deadly enemies and characters they will come across. It also tried to do something different at the time when many developers were looking for a slice of the soulslike pie and offer something unique that ended up making it one of the most underrated Soulslike games.
NieR: Automata (2017)
PlatinumGames always seem to know how to create some of the most chaotically fun action-adventure games out there, from the Bayonetta and its much anticipated 2022 sequel to Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. Nier: Automata is no exception as an android named 2B must fight against an invading alien force from taking over the Earth.
Despite Spider Games' efforts to make fun and challenging combat, PlatinumGames excels more than most other studios out there in the industry in this regard and Nier: Automata is certainly worth playing for its action gameplay alone. And it also has an intriguing story revolving around 2B and the other defending androids that those who enjoyed playing as Aegis might want to jump in and see what the fuss was about.
Bloodborne (2015)
One of the best PlayStation 4 exclusive games, FromSoftware's Bloodborne introduced everyone to Yharnam, a desolate and crumbled gothic city filled with deranged humans and nightmarish creatures. While there are no plans for a sequel, many fell in love with the dark and twisted world that the developers created.
At the beginning of the game, players must choose one weapon to wield, each heavily impacting the gameplay style for the rest of the playthrough. While SteelRising lets players swap each weapon to experiment with, they too can greatly change combat from person to person and some looking for a challenge might just like Bloodborne's weapon choices.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019)
Following on from the success of Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice introduced everyone to Wolf, a shinobi with a magical prosthetic arm who must fight and stealth his way through castles and fortresses to rescue Kuro during the Sengoku period in Japan. With a new protagonist and his unique abilities, it opened up the combat and world exploration that fans of FromSoftware could only dream of.
One of these new gameplay features was the grapple hook ability that those who enjoyed playing Aegis might like to check out as players can swing from rooftop to mountain peaks. And the Japenese-inspired game also uses the grappling mechanic in the combat as much as for traveling, using it in an effective way that a lot of players will hopefully enjoy.
Elden Ring (2022)
Released earlier this year, Elden Ring became a smash hit among gamers and critics and sold over 16 million units as of this summer. Setting foot in the Lands Between, it is up to gamers to face off against the deadly enemies that roam the dangerous open-world environment in order to become the next Elden Lord.
Anyone who enjoys any soulslike games should play this as not also is it regarded by many as the best in this action category, but the best game that FromSoftware has ever made. SteelRising may be gaining the attention of fans of these types of video games, but this is definitely one that no one who enjoyed it should miss out on.