Summary
By their very nature, Soulslikes all wear their FromSoftware inspirations on their sleeve, but some wear them much more openly than others.Flintlock: The Siege of Dawnis one such game, choosing to display itsFromSoftware influencesproudly, with its fantasy settings, boss designs, and various mechanics all sharing a portion of their DNA withDark Souls,Bloodborne, andElden Ring, albeit with some unique twists that make them feel fresh.
Some of the most obvious examples ofFlintlock: The Siege of Dawn’s FromSoftware inspirations can be found in the game’s combat systems. Much like past FromSoft games,Flintlockemphasizes dodging and parrying attacks, and it features a pistol mechanic similar to the one found inBloodborne.There’s also oneSekiro-like mechanic that feels right at home inFlintlock’s gameplay.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn Does a Great Job of Carrying Forward Sekiro’s Posture System
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn’s Withering System Is Essentially Sekiro’s Posture Mechanic
WhileSekiro: Shadows Die Twicestill carried forward a lot of FromSoftware’s typical Soulslike formula, it added a wealth of its own mechanics, including the all-important Posture system. Now remembered asSekiro’s defining trait, the Posture system sees players attempt to fill an enemy’s Posture meter by attacking them continuously and deflecting their oncoming attacks. Once the enemy’s Posture meter is full, their guard is broken, and they’re susceptible to a Deathblow. While standard enemies can be easily killed by whittling down their health, most ofSekiro’s bossesrequire the player to focus on dealing Posture damage, givingSekiroa unique rhythm to its combat.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawnhas its own iteration ofSekiro’s Posture system. Once players unlock their furry god companion Enki,Flintlockintroduces the Withering system. Pressing “Y” or Triangle while locked onto an enemy will see Enki attack the foe. This attack will result in a new purple bar appearing above the enemy’s health. As players attack the enemy, this Withering meter will continue to build. Once that bar is full, the enemy’s guard will break, and players will be able to execute a brutal finisher.
Generally,Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn’s Withering systemfunctions very similarly toSekiro’s Posture system, though it has a few unique quirks of its own. As just mentioned,Flintlock’s Withering system is activated by Enki, which allows players to keep their distance from the targeted enemy. This Withering system also becomes vital after the player is introduced to armored and shielded enemies, as it’s the fastest way to remove those barriers.
Flintlock Should Only be the Tip of the Iceberg for Sekiro’s Posture Mechanic
Going hand-in-hand with its satisfying deflection mechanics,Sekrio’s Posture system was one of the game’s biggest strengths, and it’s become a core part of the game’s identity. Strangely, though, it’s one of the fewFromSoftware mechanicsthat hasn’t become a staple of the Soulslike genre, at least not yet.Star Wars Jedi,Sifu, and nowFlintlock: The Siege of Dawnhave all showcased just how satisfying a Posture mechanic can be in the right setting, and they should pave the way for the mechanic to come to more Soulslikes in the near future.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
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.
