Summary
Action games have always been a popular staple of gaming that, combined with the RPG genre, produced some of the most popular titles to exist.Soulslikeshave become an off-shoot of action RPGs, being a subgenre that focuses on difficulty and the importance of boss fights.
As a result, there are usually a ton of weapons for players to find and use in a soulslike game, with each scaling with a certain stat and being fit for specific builds.Dual-wieldingnormally lends itself to agile and dexterous playthroughs, and there are plenty of soulslikes that permit gamers to do just that. Some soulslikes, simply due to their unique gameplay, even allow for different playstyles when dual-wielding, but they almost always permit high amounts of damage in a short burst.
A lot of the time in soulslikes, there will either be numerous weapons for the player to mix and match or a more limited selection of armaments that come with unique properties.Mortal Shellfalls into the latter category,featuring only a few weapons,but some of them can be dual-wielded.
AmongMortal Shell’s weapons, the Hammer and Chisel and the the Axatana are the notable examples that players can dual-wield. The Axatana is especially notorious, being a powerful fan-favorite that will prove invaluable to those who wield it.
With similarities toLies of Pin its story,Steelrisingoffers playersa selection of weaponry, and dual-wielding is an option. Not every weapon can be dual-wielded, however, as the game mainly places its focus on the individual properties of its weapons.
Such weapons that can be dual-wielded include the Nemesis Claws, the Falchion and Sabre, and Fire and Ice. Dual-wielding can output high damage, with Fire and Ice being a notable example due to how strong it can be, particularly with its parry counterattack. Players will attack quickly with such weapons, allowing for high burst damage as is expected when dual-wielding.
Bloodborneis considered by many gamers to be FromSoftware’s best release, with the title receiving particularly high praise for its weapon system. Featuring only aselect number of weapons, players can’t dual-wield every armament, but there are a few options available.
The Blades of Mercy are the best example of a weapon to dual-wield, as they are a pair of fast blades that can cut up any horrors the player will face. The Rakuyo is perhaps the most well-known weapon ofBloodborne, one that can also be dual-wielded, where the player takes it apart and uses both ends of the blade in each hand.
As the series that shaped the soulslike subgenre, it’s only natural for dual-wielding to be an option in its entries. Players could dual-wield weapons in the firstDark Souls, but the process was very awkward to pull off. InDark Souls 2, it was fixed, and power stancing was introduced.
Dual-wielding a weapon of the same type will provide a different moveset - one that utilizes both weapons, known as powerstancing. Doing so will deal with enemies more efficiently and can result in high damage numbers. With the vast amount of weaponry inDark Souls 2, there is alarge array of armamentsfor players to dual-wield, even if it is a little clunky given the game’s experimentation with the subgenre.
Lords of the Fallenfeatures a numerous number of weapons for players to acquire, spanning a range of different types (be it light and quick or heavy and slow). As a result, there aredifferent weapons for players to dual-wield, and the weapons chosen do not have to be the same.
Not every weapon type can be dual-wielded together, but being able to dual-wield different ones grants more options for gamers looking to experiment with their build. Mixing and matching different variations allows for a great deal of possibilities regarding one’s approach to combat.
There has always been some ambiguity as to whether or notNiohis a soulslike. However, one thing that can’t be denied is the game’s selection of weapons to dual-wield.
Instead of the ability to dual-wield various different armaments, there are instead complete weapon types fit for a dichotomous playthrough. Dual-swords and tonfas can be held in both hands, allowing for dual-wielding. Such weapons can be a bit more difficult to use on human enemies at first, but they can both be excellent ways of dealing damage. Dual-swords are an especially great example of this, often cited as being one of the best weapon types in the game.
Much like the first game,Nioh 2features a plethora of weapons for players to dual-wield. The way in which players can dual-wield weapons has remained the same, as there are different weapon types that can be used in both hands.
There are some returns from the first game, such as dual-swords and tonfas, but the game also comes with some new options, such as hatchets. The usefulness of dual-swords can depend on the player, with some swearing by them and others disliking them, but with adequate investment, they can be become worthwhile additions to one’s arsenal. The hatchets can also be valuable and be a source of great damage.
DespiteDark Souls 2introducing power stancing for the series,Dark Souls 3went without the feature. Instead, players were able to usedual-wielding via specific weaponsfound throughout the game.
The Sellsword Twinblades achieved the most notoriety, being an extremely powerful pair of weapons to use. However, there is an array of different weaponry available for players to try. Some are fast and quick (fit for dexterity builds), while others are slow and heavy (more suited for strength playthroughs). The dual-wielding gameplay ofDark Souls 3might not be as fluid as other soulslikes, but such weapons can be enjoyed against the plethora of the great bossesDark Souls 3has to offer.
AsWo Long’s gameplay is much faster thanDark Souls,dual-wielding can be a viable strategy to keep up in combat. GivenWo Longwas also developed by Team Ninja, its gameplay is similar toNioh,featuring multiple dichotomousweapons for players to wield.
With dual sabres, dual halberds, and dual swords, players have a lot of options when it comes to what weapons they want to dual-wield. Some are naturally better than others, but with the agile playstyle ofWo Long, using such tools fits perfectly in the game.
Elden Ringis an ideal game for those looking to make use oftwo weapons at the same time. Keeping the power stance system introduced inDark Souls 2,Elden Ringalso features an incredible amount of weaponry, a large amount of which can be used adequately when dual-wielding.
The gameplay might not be as fast-paced compared toWo LongorNioh, but it still allows for engaging dual-wielding battles, especially when compared to the firstDark Souls. With a vast plethora of weaponry, dual-wielding can be enjoyed against a big roster of incredible bosses.
