This will probably get buried in the reviews, but the goal of this review is to answer one question, is it a souls-like? The answer is somewhat complicated:

* There is a bonfire mechanic (souls-like)
* There is a estus flask mechanic (souls-like)
* Your primary defense is dodging (50% souls-like)
* You get level up points to spend in a number of skill trees (not souls-like)
* There is NO death penalty and you don't have to recover your body (not souls-like)
* In terms of difficulty, it's much easier then most soulslikes, but starting out is VERY difficult till you level up a bit and expand you capabilities.
* This game seems to have numerous bosses and mini-bosses, I am not even done with chapter 1 and I have fought 5 Bosses, and like 4-5 elites.
* Inventory feels more like a souls like.
* Weapons -- I believe you will have the same weapon throughout the entire game, but that weapon has different stances which change it's feel
* Armor/Gear -- you can both craft and find armor and each armor, each piece of armor seems to have unique bonuses to it and most of the craftable armor has set bonuses. You also have two ring slots and a "gord slot" which is another form of upgradable gear (but also controls your estus swigs)
* I haven't unlocked upgrading yet, but I suspect it's in the game (based on the numerous differnet upgrade materials I have found)
* Stats are basically set in this game, they are gear based and upgrade node based, but leveling up is NOTHING like a souls like.

All in all this game plays like a souls-like early on, but as you level up your character it starts to feel more and more classic GoW or classic Darksiders.

As for my thoughts on this game, I think it is excellent and worth every penny.

This will probably get buried in the reviews, but the goal of this review is to answer one question, is it a souls-like? The answer is somewhat complicated: * There is a bonfire mechanic (souls-like) * There is a estus flask mechanic (souls-like) * Your primary defense is dodging (50% souls-like) * You get level up points to spend in a number of skill trees (not souls-like) * There is NO death penalty and you don't have to recover your body (not souls-like) * In terms of difficulty, it's much easier then most soulslikes, but starting out is VERY difficult till you level up a bit and expand you capabilities. * This game seems to have numerous bosses and mini-bosses, I am not even done with chapter 1 and I have fought 5 Bosses, and like 4-5 elites. * Inventory feels more like a souls like. * Weapons -- I believe you will have the same weapon throughout the entire game, but that weapon has different stances which change it's feel * Armor/Gear -- you can both craft and find armor and each armor, each piece of armor seems to have unique bonuses to it and most of the craftable armor has set bonuses. You also have two ring slots and a "gord slot" which is another form of upgradable gear (but also controls your estus swigs) * I haven't unlocked upgrading yet, but I suspect it's in the game (based on the numerous differnet upgrade materials I have found) * Stats are basically set in this game, they are gear based and upgrade node based, but leveling up is NOTHING like a souls like. All in all this game plays like a souls-like early on, but as you level up your character it starts to feel more and more classic GoW or classic Darksiders. As for my thoughts on this game, I think it is excellent and worth every penny.