What Is a “Soulsborne” Game?

howtogeek.com:

With FromSoftware’s launch of Elden Ring, the term “Soulsborne” has once again entered the gaming vernacular. If you’re confused about its definition, here’s what you need to know about Soulsborne, Soulslike, and why they matter.

While there’s no agreed-upon definition, the term “Soulsborne” typically refers to games developed by FromSoftware that follow a specific set of rules. In short, they are challenging third-person action games that rely on stamina-based combat, experience points that are lost upon death, and a loose narrative structure that leaves it up to the player to unravel its mysteries. They also tend to be set in bleak, unforgiving worlds — although the specific setting can vary drastically between each entry.

The subgenre was started with the launch of Demon’s Souls in 2009, although it didn’t explode in popularity until several years later. The moniker Soulsborne refers to both the Souls lineup and Bloodborne — which was widely considered to be the developer’s best game before Elden Ring.

Depending on who you ask, a “Soulsborne” game might incorporate any (or all) of the following:

In short, a Soulsborne game is a difficult-but-fair game developed by FromSoftware that offers challenging combat, a loose narrative, and a bleak world to explore.

A Soulslike game is one that copies many elements of the Soulsborne genre, although it isn’t necessarily made by FromSoftware. It can also deviate from the set formula and its requirements are a bit more flexible. For example, it could offer challenging, stamina-based combat, a robust progression system, but be set in a world that’s a bit less oppressive than the Lands Between. Many people use it to simply describe a game that’s difficult — although others don’t believe