Neat lil boss rush game with great pixel art graphics! Enjoyed the first half, cause after that it felt like the difficulty went up a couple of notches, and it got just too hard for me. The bosses seem very well designed, but they may have had a tad bit too much health for my taste. I've heard people complain that the game is unfair, but I think it's one of those games where you just have to put in the time. Whenever I died it felt like my own mistake. Interesting little world with a quest system similar to metroidvanias like Blasphemous and Hollow Knight, but way simpler. Combat felt like a roguelike with soulslike elements. I feel like calling the game Eldest Souls was a discredit to itself, because it makes it sound like a parody or a cheap ripoff. I think the game could've standed well enough of it's own without marketing it as a "Souls" game.

Fiquei muito em dúvida sobre que nota dar pra esse jogo. Por um lado eu gostei muito do combate desse jogo (por mais que, pelo menos com a build q eu joguei de contra-ataque, seja meio desbalanceado e deixe o jogo bem fácil e sem precisar pensar muito), sendo um soulslike focado apenas em batalhas contra boss, por outro lado, por ser um jogo tão simples assim, onde você derrota cerca de 8 bosses e o jogo ja acaba, achei muito fraco em questão de história (entendi só o começo e o resto não me prendeu, achei bem entediante) e exploração inexistente. Por isso, acho que Eldest souls é um ótimo jogo para passar o tempo, com boas batalhas de boss, não sendo injustas e a maioria é interessante, mas não mais que isso, já que em quase 4 horas de jogo já consegui zerar, sendo um jogo muito simples.

Eldest Souls is allegedly the first indie soulslike i've played in its most, even if it's actually a very boss focused one, but the jankiness of the attack patterns and hitboxes in it is so laughable.

In this game, you are sent to hunt down every god who in history had succumbed humanity, using your trustworthy sword and your instincts, but that's just the story right there, because apparently you aren't going to go wreck around killing enemies to become powerful, but you're just going to infiltrate into a citadel where the evil gods are waiting. However, like Dark Souls, there's less story integration in it and more gameplay, so don't expect a really amazing story or whatsoever.

The trial and error nature in this game is VERY prevalent just like in the Dark Souls series, you usually learn what the boss' skillsets are, BUT there's a drop of intentional trial and error placed into here as some bosses reveal slightly stronger variants of their patterns as you cut down half of their health, forcing you to learn again and again until you take it down.

One interesting plus i'd like to add is that you can switch between three types of special abilities which help you decide your strategies. Personally, i started the game with the Berserk abilities, but later on had to start switching between the other two in order to think of the best skillset i could ever pull out in order to beat the enemies. Another thing to note is that, like Dark Souls, performing a dodge also has invincibility frames that, with careful timing, will let you easily dodge each attack no matter where you are. As a Dark Souls veteran (not an expert by the way, i just played all the three Dark Souls games with almost all the DLC bosses beaten) this has greatly helped me take advantage of this particular mechanic.

BUT the main problem of this game is the goddarned hitboxes. It may be probably the reason why 3D is better suited for non-Metroidvania soulslikes, or probably is the fact that the programming of hitboxes in 2.5D coordinates isn't done so well... who knows. And another concern of mine is the way the boss attack patterns are programmed and how certain bosses are designed to have you concentrate the eye on many fucking things, especially EOS which has been a pain in the ass because of its small arena and the way it looks like an elemental version of Ornstein & Smough from the first Dark Souls (and i also really found that boss to be a greatly annoying chore as well). Around late game i had to forcedfully concentrate on dodging the patterns with my iframes because later on the game gets to the point where boss patterns are starting to become just freaking unfair to manage, i'm really sick.

After the final boss (in which i'm currently facing by the time i wrote this review), this Italian-developed game should've done things a bit better, but i'd not really recommend this game to a high degree unless you really want some traditional Soulslike experience just for funsies, with some jankyness in exchange.

After delving into "Eldest Souls" for a significant stretch, I find myself reflecting on the growing appeal of indie games compared to mainstream offerings. Recently, indie titles like "Eldest Souls" have sparked more enthusiasm in me than many big-budget games. This game, with its intriguing blend of 'soulslike' mechanics and crisp narrative delivery, offers a refreshing take on the genre.

"Eldest Souls" begins with a setting typical of soulslike games—a lone warrior traversing a historically rich, battle-scarred landscape. The narrative unfolds through environmental clues and item descriptions, painting a picture of ancient gods and crusader-like knights that once shaped the land. This setup is intriguing and invites players to dive deeper into the game's lore.

The gameplay in "Eldest Souls" focuses on intense, boss-rush challenges that incorporate innovative mechanics well-suited to the top-down perspective. Each boss battle is a testament to the game’s core appeal, blending recognizable 'souls' motifs with unique elements that elevate the combat experience. The use of the environment, dynamic music shifts, and phase changes in bosses make each encounter a thrilling, strategic battle. It's clear the developers have poured their passion into these engagements, crafting moments that challenge and reward in equal measure.

Graphically, the game is stunning, with beautifully rendered art and an atmospheric soundtrack that enhances the somber, immersive feel of the game. The art style pays homage to the dark fantasy genre while infusing it with originality, making every area and encounter memorable.

Gameplay customization allows for varied combat styles, from agile dodging to robust, defensive play. This flexibility encourages experimentation and adaptability, enriching the combat dynamics and replayability of the game. Each style brings something different to the battles, influencing not just how you fight but also how you navigate the game's world and interact with its characters.

Despite its strengths, "Eldest Souls" does have its drawbacks. The most notable is its length; the game feels too short, leaving a sense of wanting more just as you settle into its rhythm. While its brevity ensures that the gameplay doesn't become tedious, it also means that the experience ends all too quickly. This is somewhat mitigated by the game’s high replayability and the changes introduced in New Game+, which adjusts boss mechanics to provide fresh challenges.

The developers, a small team from Italy, deserve commendation for their work. It’s heartening to see such creativity and dedication thrive, especially given the challenging creative environment in Italy. Their success with "Eldest Souls" is a beacon of hope for aspiring game developers in similar situations.

In conclusion, "Eldest Souls" is a finely crafted gem that stands out in the sea of soulslike games. Its compelling boss fights and artistic execution make it a must-play for fans of the genre. While the game may be brief, its intensity and the mastery with which it's crafted make every moment count. It’s a testament to the potential lurking in the indie game development scene, proving that with passion and creativity, small teams can deliver experiences that resonate deeply with players.

I had a shit ton of fun with this. The gameplay is so smooth and I loved learning the boss patterns. Also, thank you for the instant restart. I'm so happy I didn't have to do a long walk of shame every time. I liked the little variety between the 3 fighting styles. In the end game I definitely had to switch to the Berserk mode. The only boss that actually annoyed me was that spider lady. Oh and also, her arena was fucked. The entire left side of it would glitch for me and get me stuck. Literally couldn't escape. But other than that, everything else was great.

I will say, looking at the platinum requirements...fuck you. I ain't doing allat. Beat EVERY boss with no damage? NO.

O estilo do jogo é voltado em apenas batalhas de chefes, possui um gráfico pixelado bem bonito e a duração de gameplay é curta (+-5h). E agora, a minha experiência com jogo foi que ele é bem mediano, é um game divertido para zerar uma vez e é isso.

Dito isso, possui chefes com dificuldade boa e com diferentes habilidades, vc pode construir build com 3 estilo diferentes e possui uma exploração bem básica de conversa com npc achar um objeto pra ele e ele recompensá-lo com outro item bem básico e ok, porém o que mais me incomodou foi na jogabilidade em que o hitbox dos boss atrapalhava mt nas lutas, ou seja, morri várias vezes pq o chefe te empurrava e prendia em um canto ou objeto do mapa e tu n conseguia fazer nda ficando preso tomando hit e outra o jogo não possui nada marcante nem os boss final ou a história (estilo dark soul se quiser saber vai ler textinho ou pesquisar na wiki) não achei initeressante.

Concluindo, é um jogo divertido, pode passar uma raiva tentando derrotar o boss mas não traz uma vontade de continuar rejogando dpois de zerar msm que tenha um ng+.