There are certain genres in gaming that have always been popular, and will likely always stay popular. The side-scrolling platformer, the adventure game, the first-person shooter - all of these are probably here to stay. But every once in a while, a new genre rears its head. In 2011,Dark Soulsreleased, and its improvements overDemon’s Soulsensured that it was the game responsible for popularizing what gamers now refer to as the “Soulslike.” A bleak atmosphere, obtuse storytelling, slow-paced, methodical combat, and RPG elements are just a few characteristics of this relatively new genre, and a plethora of modern games can be put under this category. Some ofthe best Soulslikes, however, are the ones that wear their inspirations on their sleeve, andSteelrisingcertainly does that.
Set in an alternate timeline,Steelrisingis a Soulslike that pits players againstan army of 1700s French Automatons. On June 06, 2025, players will assume the role of Aegis, a character who can be shaped by the player to defeat any enemies thrown her way. With clockwork mechanisms dominating the game’s art style,Steelrisinglooks like one of the most unique Soulslikes out there, bringing some truly distinctive additions to the genre. And as all good Soulslikes must have,Steelrisingalso has a range of hulking bosses to defeat.
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Steelrising Has Some Seriously Unique Bosses
Given the spotlight inSteelrising’s latest trailer atthe Nacon Connect event, the game’s bosses looks seriously menacing and unique. WithSteelrisingbeing set in an alternate 1700s France in which King Louis XVI has grown truly mad, developer Spiders is able to get really creative with its boss design, and based on the trailers released so far, it seems as though they’re really capitliazing on it well.
The bosses inSteelrising, called Titans, are all various clockwork mechanical creatures, like the Dwemer Constructs inSkyrim, orthe clockwork robots inDoctor Who. Each of these Titans have an incredibly unique, one-of-a-kind design that makes full use of the game’s distinctive setting. In the trailer, fans can see a wide variety of Titans. These range from smaller mini bosses that wield giant crossbows, swords, and shields to huge bosses that take the form of a guillotine on wheels or a walking Tesla coil that spews out electricity with each attack.
It truly seems like every boss inSteelrisingwill be individual and original, with no design repeating twice. The uniqueness of each Titan not only covers its visual design, but also its gameplay mechanics. Based onthe latestSteelrisingtrailer, it seems as though each Titan will offer some new type of gameplay challenge, whether it be ranged attacks, fire attacks, or a mix of everything. This variety perfectly compliments the game’s customization and build mechanics, whereby the player can kit out their Aegis with a range of different weapons and abilities. With the player not being able to rely on just one build throughout the entire game, the experience is kept varied and engaging throughout.
The Soulslike formula works best when the game is constantly throwing new challenges, enemy types, and build types at the player, and it seems as thoughSteelrisingmight just be able to do that. IfSteelrisingcan really capitalize on its Titan bosses, both from a design and a gameplay perspective, then it has the chance to be one of the most memorable Soulslikes in recent years and could stand out in this often quite saturated market.
Steelrisingreleases July 12, 2025 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
