Summary
Thesoulslikegenre is all about overcoming challenges, which is why a lot of players can feel overwhelmed when powerful enemies can instantly close the distance on them. Lots of these games offer players ranged options in the forms of bows, crossbows, magic, and more. However, they tend not to focus on ranged combat, with melee still taking center stage.
For a player to find a ranged build that they really enjoy is one thing, but the game also needs to make this build fun to play. Luckily, various soulslike games offer ranged builds or hybrid melee-ranged builds; furthermore, there are even titles with ranged combat as their primary focus.
Lords of the Fallengives players many ways to enjoy the game. Players can experiment with many different synergies, including mixing up their melee and ranged options for hybrid playstyles. The game offersthree schools of magic that behave differentlybut also offers both bows and crossbows.
This creates a myriad of different ranged build options for players to explore, each with their pros and cons. However, there will be times when players will have more success with a melee approach. Luckily, players can respec an infinite number of times once the Shrine of the Putrid Mother reaches tier 2 and lets them buy the Rebirth Chrysalis item.
While most soulslike games give players the ability to run and dodge in any direction to avoid damage as it is about to come their way, the side-scrollingSalt & Sanctuaryrequires them to be aware of any visual and audio que occurring on the screen so they can take the necessary measures before it approaches them.
Luckily, the entire game can be beaten with a bow, making it a great option for those looking for something that lets them “run and gun” their way through a soulslike adventure.Salt & Sanctuaryis definitely a game fans of the genre should look more into.
Players wanting somethingmore like aSekirofromFromSoftwarebut also be able to play through its entirety at range, should cast their gaze towardsWo Long: Fallen Dynasty. Nearly every single mob and boss can be felled using a bow and dodging, and it also lets players obtain powerful ranged builds thanks to its Wizardry Spells and Virtues.
The Water Virtue is particularly great for those wishing to use a bow as it will let them be more like an assassin in avoiding enemy detection, be more mobile, and let them ambush enemies.Wo Longis a better ranged gameplay experience thanSalt & Sanctuary, which gives it a little more recognition.
3Remnant: From The Ashes
The Gun Soulslike
Just like how the previous entry got a bump up,Remnant: From the Ashesis exactly what players are looking for in a soulslike revolving on ranged combat. The franchise has jokingly been called “Dark Soulswith guns” and that is a pretty good analogy when it comes to painting a picture of the gameplay.
Players' primary experience will be using various ranged weapons from assault rifles to shotguns. Those looking to sweep their damage across numerous smaller enemies while keeping their primary weapon of choice will love the Flame Thrower mod for the Spitfire handgun.
Elden Ringmight very well be the pinnacle of soulslikes. The game offers incredibly satisfying progression, be it in terms of build and weapon variety or by simply exploring The Lands Between’s vast map. Like many of FromSoftware’sSoulsprojects,Elden Ringsupports melee, ranged, and hybrid styles.
Players will need to time their dodges well to avoid all forms of damage while using a range-focused build, but they will be able to tackle the campaign as an archer or a fierce spellcasting machine. Spells come in all manner of shapes and forms, and they allow players to find the effective range of their choosing when it comes tovanquishing every bossthat stands in their way.
Remnant 2improves upon the first game in nearly every way and lets playersjoin up with 2 of their friendsto face its story as a squad of heavily armed hunters. They will need to keep their distance from the game’s many enemies; fortunately, they have a wide range of different guns to unlock and improve as they progress.
Remnant 2is the best possible option for any soulslike fan looking to explore a plentiful array of different ranged builds, and for those that want a true co-op story experience as well. That said, the franchise focuses specifically on guns (with some melee options), so people craving magic builds should go with something likeElden Ring.
