Lords of the Fallen, the recently released soulslike action RPG developed by Hexworks, has garnered mixed reactions from players since its launch last week. Modeled closely after the popular Dark Souls trilogy, the game has been praised for its mechanics, intricate world, and engaging combat by many fans. However, the PC version has been plagued by performance issues, which has hindered the overall gaming experience for some players.
One feature that sets Lords of the Fallen apart is its New Game+ mode, which significantly raises the stakes for players seeking an increased challenge. In typical soulslike fashion, the placement of checkpoints, known as Vestiges in this game, is crucial to the game’s difficulty. Placing these checkpoints too generously can dilute the tension, while too few can make players overly cautious, avoiding combat to avoid the risk of dying without a nearby checkpoint. Lords of the Fallen strikes a delicate balance by scattering Vestiges throughout its dual worlds, although they are sparse in some areas, leaving players desperately searching for safety.
To alleviate this tension, the game introduces Vestige seeds, consumable items allowing players to create their own checkpoints on specific flower beds scattered across the world. This mechanic adds an extra layer of strategy, requiring players to consider carefully when and where to plant these seeds. However, in New Game+ mode, the game takes an unexpected turn by completely removing Vestiges. Players can only establish checkpoints using limited Vestige seeds, which are acquired from defeating bosses or purchased in the hub world.
The catch is that players can only plant and use one Vestige seed at a time. Attempting to plant a second seed will replace the first one. Consequently, in New Game+ mode, players lose the freedom to warp between areas freely. This restriction severely limits players’ ability to explore the vast world of Mournstead, one of the game’s standout features. This decision raises questions about whether this mechanic truly enhances the game’s difficulty without sacrificing the enjoyable aspects of exploration and immersion.
It remains to be seen how Hexworks will respond to player feedback regarding this limitation in New Game+ mode. Despite the performance issues and unexpected mechanics, Lords of the Fallen is available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, offering players a challenging and immersive soulslike experience.
