Summary
Soulslikesare among some of the most beloved games in the gaming community due to their high level of difficulty,amazing stories and lore, the grim, yet fascinating worlds they present to players, and the variety of weapons and choices they offer. Some titles in this genre are known for their versatility in combat, whereas others suffer from certain restrictions that make them a little more limited in terms of playability.
In many instances,Soulslikes offer different class systemsthat allow players to create powerful builds focused on single Stats like Dexterity or Strength. However, some titles also give players enough freedom to create hybrid builds that are devastating. Here are some of thebest Soulslike games for hybrid magic/physical builds.
Lords of the Fallenlets players control Harkyn, a criminal who’s tasked with stopping a powerful god’s evil plans and the demonic forces that come with it. This title has often been criticized for being too similar to theDark Soulsfranchise, which seems unfair, as that’s the whole point when it comes to Soulslikes.
WhileLords of the Fallendoes not feature a magic arsenal as broad as that ofElden Ringor theDark Soulsfranchise, it still presents players with a decent opportunity to create a hybrid build between Physical and Magic damage. If players want a more modern version of this game that’s set more than a thousand years after the events of this 2014 title,Lords of the Fallen (2023)has challenging bossesto offer and lots of things to discover.
Unlike other games on this list,Salt and Sanctuarydoes not feature 3D graphics that will put low and mid-range PC’s to the test, as its art style is very simplistic, yet unique and attractive.
Featuring large areas to explore, multiple bosses to fight, and a wide range of different spells for players to take advantage of, this title allows for a combination of Physical and Magic builds that can be very effective and devastating. Moreover,Salt and Sanctuaryfeatures one of thebiggest skill treesin Soulslikes, giving players the chance to detail their builds with great freedom.
WhenBlasphemouswas released for players worldwide to enjoy, they were immediately captivated by the game’s unique art style and concept, which took inspiration from the Spanish Inquisition.
InBlasphemous 2, players will once again take on the role of the Penitent One as they explore the grim world of Cvstodia—filled with vicious enemies,formidable bosses, and tons of platforming to reach the different areas in the game. Although the firstBlasphemousgame already featured a combination of spells known as “Prayers” and melee attacks, there was only one weapon available. The sequel improves upon this greatly, as there are now three different weapons for the Penitent One to use and the Prayer variety is also greater.
Nioh 2is set in Japan in the late 16th century, which already makes the game interesting, as this is a very critical period in history. Not only does this title feature amazing combat mechanics and a lot of action, butcertain mage builds are completely overpoweredand can decimate enemies in the blink of an eye.
Although magic isn’t as complex as it is in theDark Soulsfranchise orElden Ring, it’s still really fun to use and can be a great advantage against enemies that would otherwise be much more challenging.
Few games have raised the bar for2D side-scrollerSoulslikes in the same way thatHollow Knightdid when it was first released. The game is set in the magical underground world of the Hallownest, which is full of different bug-like creatures.
With powerful Spells like the Desolate Dive and the Vengeful Spirit, players can take advantage ofHollow Knight’s combat mechanics and develop a hybrid combat technique that involves swinging their sword, referred to as “Nail”, and casting their Spells to deal maximum damage. With the upcoming sequel,Hollow Knight: Silksong, players have a lot to look forward to in this amazing mystical universe.
Bloodborneis arguably the most terrifying and nightmare-inducing titleFromSoftwarehas ever released. Yes, theDark Soulsfranchise andElden Ringalso have their fair share of spine-chilling creatures and monsters. However, they don’t even scratch the surface when compared to the horrors presented to players inBloodborne.
While magic isn’t a great part of this game, players can usevery powerful weaponsthat scale with the Arcane Stat, increasing the additional damage they do as players raise their Arcane level. This might not sound like it’s a great advantage to have, but with enough patience and the right Stat allocation, players can kill even the toughest boss in a few minutes without breaking a sweat.
Last but not least, there’sElden Ring, which is considered by many to be FromSoftware’s magnum opus. Set in a vast open world known as The Lands Between, this title presents players withmany different bosses to face, tons of areas to explore, and a broad range of weapons, armor, and spells to use to their advantage.
When it comes to crafting a build that combines Magic and Physical damage,Elden Ringis arguably the best title of the lot, as it gives players a ton of freedom, and lets them experiment with the different buffs, staffs and incantations found in The Lands Between.
