Summary
For lovers of both fantasy and westerns,Soulslinger: Envoy of Deathseeks to blend the gunslinger swagger ofRed Dead Redemptionwith the magic-focused lore ofThe Witcher. Currently in Early Access onSteam,Soulslingeris a compelling first-person take on the roguelike genre, as players go up against enemies in the afterlife.
Soulslingerputs players in the shoes of a gun-toting cowboy who has been resigned to a fate in limbo, a purgatory-like afterlife. However, the titular main character isn’t alone in this state. There is a dangerous organization known as The Cartel that seeks to harvest dead souls as a way to break free from this afterlife. With itsWitcher-like art directionand emphasis on pistol gameplay,Soulslingercould be the perfect title forRed Dead RedemptionandTheWitcherfans to check out.
Soulslinger: Envoy of Death Blends Westerns and Fantasy
A Gunslinger in the Afterlife
When looking at the character design ofSoulslinger’s protagonist, the cowboy influence is quite clear. Not only is the titleSoulslingera play on the term “gunslinger”, but the character in generallooks like Arthur Morganwas dropped right into purgatory with a fantasy twist. Furthermore, the game’s shooting mechanics are a fun, fast-paced way to mow through the hordes of enemiesSoulslingerthrows one’s way.
The protagonist’s trusty pistol and shotgun have the kick and snappy mechanics that are perfect for a roguelike title. Although theRed Dead Redemptionfranchise isn’t in the roguelike genre,Soulslingercan sometimes feel like a strange afterlife-themed roguelike DLC.Red Dead Redemptionhas dabbled with horror elements, butSoulslingerhelps demonstrate what it might look like if Arthur Morgan or John Marston were confronted with the souls of the dead.
As of now, a projected date forSoulslinger: Envoy of Death’s full release has yet to be revealed by Elder Games.
Embracing Dark Fantasy and Magic
Souslinger’s protagonist may be a clear nod to the likes ofRed Dead Redemption, but the overall world and lore of the game are heavily drenched in dark magic and fantasy tropes that makeThe Witcherso compelling.Magic inThe Witcheris a key feature of the franchise, andSouslingeruses it to make its combat against the dead that much more exciting. InSoulslinger, players can use magic and spells to enhance the protagonist’s guns, which makes for some really unique shooting mechanics.
The clearest similarity betweenThe WitcherandSoulslingeris the dark world that both games take place in.The Witcher’s focus on monster huntingoffers some harrowing and exciting combat situations, andSoulslingerembraces this approach, but with guns added to the mix. The various monsters and enemies showcased throughoutSoulslingercould easily feel at home inThe Witcherfranchise, and the Western blend offers a compelling twist.
Soulslinger Wears Its Inspiration On Its Sleeve
Not only is the influence fromRed Dead RedemptionandThe Witcherthere, but there are other similar games thatSoulslingerhas likely been inspired by.Supernatural WesternEvil Westand first-person soulslikeWitchfireshare commonalities withSoulslingeras well. AlthoughSoulslingertakes heavy inspiration from many of these games, the dark fantasy shooter still has its own unique concepts that make it an entertaining exploration of a dark and dreary afterlife.
WhileRed Dead Redemption 3andThe Witcher 4are far off in the distance,Soulslingercould prove to be a great way to scratch that itch while still experiencing a new title. While the game is still currently in Early Access, it will be intriguing to see how developer Elder Games goes about makingSoulslingera fully realized game.
