A44 Games defines Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn as a Souls-lite game instead of a Soulslike title because it wants the game to be more approachable than others in the genre. This doesn't mean there's no challenge present in its Normal difficulty, but few Soulslike games feature difficulty options to begin with. A44 Games also set out to recreate a Soulslike combat feel, without relying on said difficulty, which is why things like Witherings and what amounts to a triple jump exist. There's also no stamina system so players can enjoy a certain freedom of movement when it comes to combat and exploring the world of Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn.
Of course, just because Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is designed to be more approachable doesn't mean it wants to alienate hardcore Soulslike fans. Its Normal difficulty promises plenty of challenges, even if it is more balanced toward traditional action RPG elements, but creative director Simon Dasan explained to The Best War Games that its Possessed Mode, its hardest difficulty, is aimed at those hardcore fans.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn's Difficulty Options Explained
Every time a new Soulslike game releases, it seems there is some form of "easy difficulty" discourse, yet that never happens when an action RPG releases. Interestingly, there was even plenty of discourse around Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree's difficulty, despite fans reasonably expecting it to be as tough as nails. Ultimately, it'll be interesting to see how fans react to Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn's difficulty options. Like a standard action RPG, fans can pick between Story, Normal, and "Hard" difficulty, dubbed Possessed here, and their expectations should befit a typical action RPG as well. Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn's Story mode is equivalent to Easy, allowing fans to enjoy the world and lore of Flintlock without being too concerned about combat. Normal means a more balanced experience, though there will still be plenty of challenges for players.
Possessed Mode corresponds with its "Hard" difficulty, but more than that, it's about ensuring approachability here doesn't just mean easier or simpler. It's a more traditional Souls experience, meaning players will want to master its combat on all levels. As Dasan explained,
Our goal for Flintlock was to create a Souls-lite experience, but we don’t want to alienate people who really enjoy a tougher, more traditional ‘Souls’ experience. Possessed mode is primarily aimed at those who want a real challenge, as enemies can dish out a lot more damage, so mastering your blocks, parries, and pistol interruptions will be imperative to victory. Of course, as with all of our difficulty levels (Story, Normal, and Possessed), you can switch through them as you please.
The ability to switch difficulties is not uncommon, but here it really matters. Someone who wants to try it on a hardcore Souls level could begin with Possessed and dial it back if it were too different; at the same time, it means someone who finds Normal perhaps a touch too easy can crank up the difficulty. What's clear is that the Souls-lite approach here, as geared toward accessibility, means what accessibility has always meant: gaming is for everyone, from those who want to enjoy a story to those who want to push their limits.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
- Released
- July 18, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
From games studio A44, makers of Ashen, comes an explosive Souls-lite, where Gods and guns collide in a battle for the future of humanity.
The Door to the Great Below has been opened unleashing the Gods and their armies of the Dead. The lands of Kian are besieged, the city of Dawn is on the brink of destruction. It’s time for the Coalition army to fight back. Embrace vengeance, gunpowder and magic as you embark on an epic journey to defeat the Gods, close the door and retake the world.
Kill all gods.
Your battle begins now.
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood, Violence
- Developer(s)
- A44 Games
- Publisher(s)
- Kepler Interactive
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
