Lords of the Fallen (2023)

Amazing how the people behind this game listen to the community!
I already enjoyed the game when it launched, even though it was obviously flawed in some regards. Over the last 2 years the game received numerous updates, and today I got recommended a video about update 2.0 launching, and it literally fixed EVERY SINGLE FLAW the game had. And even though I already own the game I really respect the game being on a 67% discount for 2 weeks right after the update drops, instead of making people pay the standard price of 60€ for it after upgrading its value this much.
I really hope this game will receive the love it deserves!

After playing Demon's Souls, all the Dark Souls games, Elden Ring, Mortal Shell, Nioh (1 and 2), Lies of P, and even the goofy charm of Another Crab's Treasure, I finally got around to Lords of the Fallen 2.0 and I reaaaally loved it. I finished the game twice on my xbox series X with regular and adyr ending ng+, yet to finish it here.
The combat is really polished. It feels a lot better than the original Lords of the Fallen which I also have finished on xbox, You’ve got a dedicated jump button now, which is honestly unnecessary but I think it's something some people asked and that's another point I liked, CI Games proved they listen us, and the many complaints people did at launch. The game also have some of that Elden Ring smoothness, but don’t expect the same level of freedom. And while the lock-on system is definitely improved, it’s still not as buttery as Dark Souls 3. Some weapons hit hard and feel super satisfying, kinda like Mortal Shell’s heavy crunch. I used radiance build in my first run and inferno build in my 2nd run, but I feel inferno is the most powerful one.
Now the co-op mode share progression, and they’ve got this Friend Pass thing that lets your friends join in even if they don’t own the game. Again, CI GAMES proving they care and listen to us.
There are two realms—the regular one and this creepy Umbral realm, which gives me goosebumps sometimes. The lamp system that helps with navigation is pretty neat.
Character customization is better now. It’s not on the same level as Nioh 2, but it's also great. And the visuals are amazing, Unreal Engine 5 makes everything look great, and I love the photo mode and the 3d photos, the gothic vibe and the energy the landscape gives me.

I personally enjoyed Lords of the Fallen 2 just as much as I enjoyed Elden Ring and Dark Souls, you must at least try it, you will not regret If you’re into Soulslike games.

Absolutely yes !! This game, and the love its devs are constantly putting into it deserves atleast Mostly positive, if not Very positive ratings. There are many worse souls-likes out there with better ratings. This game isn't flawless, but I think the rating is yet to move past the horrible launch this one had, because trust me, the game is well past it.
The world building and the story are good, the combat takes a minute to get used to (you do get generous i-frames, which was a surprise to me), the level designs are a little confusing, you get lost very easily on some levels, you can parry almost all bosses and mobs, the soulflay technique is amazing, the incorporation of the two worlds concept (umbral and axiom) into the world-building is well done in my opinion, the music is good and bosses are good too, albeit on the easier side for souls-veterans (provided you pick a build, any build, because the game punishes bad levelling). Technically, the performance was really good, no crashes, minor glitches and bugs. NG+ unlocks modifiers to increase difficulties and some major changes to the gameplay as well for those seeking challenge. The one complaint I have is the enemy variety, you'll get used to the mobs very quickly and you'll keep seeing them throughout the game.
Overall, this game is a solid 7.5/10. Give it a try, if in a doubt wait for sales, you might be surprised by how much you like this. Cheers!

They keep updating and improving the game, deserved purchase.

I came into this game wary from all the negative reviews and feedback I'd heard since launch, but in it's current state? Man, this game deserves so much more praise. The devs have been consistently updating with player feedback since launch and have really turned this into one of the most visually impressive and technically ambitious offerings in the 'Soulslike' genre. Forget any impressions you may have from launch discussions or from the previous game if you played it. The world is expansive, darkly beautiful and interconnected in a way that hasn't been done since the original Dark Souls. The combat, while admittedly unbalanced (magic and status effects can be hilariously broken with the right gear and stats), is decently paced and rewarding, with a wide variety of weapon types and combinations. If the 'Soulslike' genre is one of your favorites, or if you just enjoy dark fantasy action rpgs, there is SO much to love and appreciate here, and I honestly hope the devs get a chance to take the lessons they learned and create a proper sequel.

I was hesitant to buy Lords of the Fallen due to the mixed reviews on Steam, but after watching gameplay and feeling the itch for another soulslike after Elden Ring, I decided to give it a shot. Now, after spending time in the game, while there are some things I don’t like, I can confidently say I’m enjoying it and can’t wait to play through the rest. If you’re into soulslikes, I’d say it’s worth checking out.

Performance
The devs have addressed most of the initial issues, and as of January 2025, the game runs smoothly. I’m playing on an old GTX 1650 with low settings and FSR3, and while there are occasional frame drops, I don’t blame the game—my hardware is definitely showing its age.

Combat
The combat is satisfying, with weighty, well-animated attacks and a solid variety of weapons for each class. However, one thing that could be improved is the hyper armor for grand weapons—even a simple arrow can stagger you mid-attack, which can be frustrating. On the bright side, ranged combat is finally viable in a soulslike and doesn’t feel like an afterthought.

Weapons & Armor Variety
There’s plenty of variety when it comes to weapons and armor, and the designs are cool af. And let’s be real—fashion is just as important as stats!

Boss Fights & Mobs
The bosses I’ve faced so far are well-designed, both visually and mechanically, with modest difficulty. Each fight felt unique, requiring different strategies. However, enemy variety in the open world is lacking. The same mobs appear repeatedly, making some areas feel repetitive. The Umbral world, despite its eerie aesthetic, only features about 4-5 enemy types, which is a bit underwhelming.

World & Exploration
The map is huge, and exploring is a joy. The world is eerie yet beautiful, and I’ve caught myself taking screenshots constantly. There are some surprises along the way, and I’ve had a fair share of unexpected deaths. However, one major downside is the Vestige Seed checkpoint system—these are not permanent and have to be purchased at a high cost, which feels unnecessarily restrictive.

Quests & Lore
As expected in a soulslike, quests are cryptic, and NPC encounters feel completely random. You never really know what’s happening or where you’ll meet an NPC next, which adds to the mystery but can also be frustrating.

Right, look - this game deserves better than the kicking it's been getting. The devs have actually bothered to fix their mess, which is more than you can say for most studios who just take your money and bugger off to make NFTs or whatever.
The launch? Absolute disaster. Crashed more than my uncle at Christmas dinner. But here's the thing - they've actually fixed it. I know, shocking isn't it? A developer that doesn't just abandon ship when things go tits up. CI Games have been listening, making changes, and generally not treating their customers like idiots. Revolutionary stuff.
The combat's genuinely good now. Feels miles better than the original Lords of the Fallen, which to be fair, wasn't difficult', that game played like you were swinging a cricket bat through treacle. You've got a jump button now, completely pointless, but apparently some people got very upset about not being able to hop about like idiots, so there you go. Happy now?
It's borrowed some smoothness from Elden Ring (because everyone's nicking from FromSoft these days, aren't they?), but don't expect the same freedom to wander off and get murdered by a random tree. Lock-on's better, though still not Dark Souls 3 levels of buttery. Some weapons absolutely crunch when they connect – very satisfying, bit like Mortal Shell if you played that.
I went Inferno build, and honestly, it's absolutely mental. Proper overpowered.
You get surprisingly generous invincibility frames when dodging, which was unexpected. Usually these games want you to suffer more than a vegan at a barbecue, but no, they've been reasonable about it. Takes a minute to adjust, especially if you can parry most things (and you can – bosses, mobs, your nan).
The world-building's solid. Two realms, normal boring one and the Umbral realm, which is properly creepy. Sometimes genuinely unsettling, which is nice. They've woven this lamp navigation system through it all, and the whole Axiom/Umbral concept actually works. The Soulflay technique is brilliant, really adds something fresh to the genre, which is impressive given how many of these games are just copying homework at this point.
Music's good, story's decent, and Unreal Engine 5 makes everything look gorgeous. Proper gothic atmosphere, the kind of visuals that make you want to use photo mode even though you'll never look at those screenshots again. The 3D photos are a nice touch, bit gimmicky, but whatever.
Now the problems, because nothing's perfect. Enemy variety is pants. You'll see the same mobs constantly, and after a few hours you'll know them better than your own family. Gets repetitive.
Level design can be confusing and you'll get lost easier than your dad in IKEA. Some people might like that, I found it occasionally irritating.
Bosses are on the easier side if you're a Souls veteran, but that's only if you don't completely balls up your leveling. Pick a build, any build, and stick with it. The game will absolutely punish you for spreading your points around like butter at a Weight Watchers meeting.
Performance is solid now, no crashes, minimal bugs. Runs well, which is what it should've done at launch, but let's not dwell on that.
NG+ adds difficulty modifiers and gameplay changes for when you inevitably become too good at it.
Co-op actually shares progression now, and there's a Friend Pass so your mates can join without buying it. Again, listening to players. What a concept.
Character customization's better than the original. Not Nioh 2 levels, but respectable. Every build's viable if you don't cock up the questlines.
The game's massive - properly big - and the weapon variety is ridiculous. The other world mechanic, while not perfect, is at least trying something different instead of just being Dark Souls with a mustache.
Final Word: It's a legitimately good game that's been unfairly judged because of a disastrous launch that's long since been fixed. Give it a go and stop being so cynical. Well, don't stop completely - we're gamers, cynicism is our natural state. But maybe dial it back a notch for this one.
Cheers.