Fans of the action RPG and roguelike genres are always on the lookout for the next big thing. What is there to play afterElden Ringtook over months? DoesDolmendo enough differently to stand out from the pack and create another unique hardcore experience?
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For those looking fur a tough game,Dolmenis it. That doesn’t mean it is good though. The aggregates for its reviews are falling between the 50s and 60s. That is assuredly below expectations for the developer. As troubled asDolmenis, there are redeeming qualities to it too. Let’s weigh the odds and find out where things went a bit sour.
8Best: The Class System
There are five classes to choose from at the start ofDolmen. Similar toother Soulslike experiences, classes only dictate stats and starting gear. The Recruit, for example, is like a blank slate so that players can start customizing it to their liking as they play. Even though classes aren’t exactly unique, they will give players new opportunities to try multiple play styles. The Sharpshooter class is good for beginners because of its long-ranged rifle while the Bounty Hunter is fun for close-quarters combat. Also, being able to customize armor color is a plus.
7Worst: No Difficulty Options
This should come as no surprise but there are no difficulty options inDolmen. There are no assist options either. Most Soulslike experiences have one set difficulty. The point is to make them hard and challenging beyond other games out there. While there is merit to that old-school mentality, it’s hard not to imagine a world where this genre became even more mainstream.Fire Emblem, for example, was always ahardcore strategy RPGfor the niche.Fire Emblem Awakeningadded a Casual mode and then the series exploded. Soulslike games could be bigger as well ifDolmenand others catered to more types of players.
6Best: Ranged Weapons And Powers
Dolmendoes have one thingother Soulslike gamesdon’t that makes it a bit more accessible. The guns in the game offer players more ranged options. Again, the Sharpshooter starting class is not only packed with a rifle, but it has ice powers too.
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Most weapons in the game have some sort of elemental edge to them. That’s another reason why combat can be so engaging. Freeze an enemy from a distance and then close the gap to smash it with a giant sword. Elements, in this way, add more strategy to the gameplay.
5Worst: Generic World
The visuals, as far as the current consoles and PC version go, look good. It’s not mind-blowing but the graphics do have a nice shine to them. The robotic suits of armor do deserve some praise as well. Unfortunately, the overall art design is lacking.Dolmenfeels like one of those generic video games that would be on a TV show that didn’t want to pay for a AAA game’s license. Also, there is no photo mode in the game. This would allow players to pause the game which might be why there isn’t one. Pausingin a Soulslikeis somewhat forbidden across the genre for whatever reason.
4Best: Replaying Bosses
Another reason why some Soulslike experiences don’t allow players to pause or have photo modes isbecause of multiplayer.Dolmenhas some form of co-op via boss encounters. Outside every boss domain is a kiosk. Players can invite up to three other players to join them for a boss fight or players can instead jump into someone else’s boss fight. There are two great things about this process. One, boss fights can be duplicated meaning that players can power level fast if they know what they’re doing. Two, if players die in someone else’s world, they won’t lose any progress.
3Worst: Limited Multiplayer
The bad side tothe co-op multiplayeris that it is both limited and glitchy. Players may find themselves trapped in a room in someone else’s game if that party started before they got there. Invisible walls might prevent players from joining. That’s the most common occurrence.
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Boss fights are the only way to co-op inDolmentoo. While the assistance is appreciated, it would have been cooler if more multiplayer opportunities were presented in the game like some other Soulslike experiences out there. The obvious one isElden Ring.
2Best: Teleportation Options
Dolmen unlocks teleportation right away. There are bonfire-like checkpoints that reset the world and heal players when they are touched. These checkpoints will also allow players to warp between them without restrictions. Teleportation between checkpoints like this is common in video games but not a given. Checkpoints could be more plentiful. That’s the only downside to them inDolmenotherwise their usefulness is much appreciated. It should be mentioned that the loads are fast when traveling between points.
1Worst: Stat Restrictions On Gear
Some action RPGs put restrictions on the gear in several ways. Some may level restrict while others make it so gear can’t be equipped if the player doesn’t have the right stats. The latter option is whereDolmenfalls into place. Putting restrictions like this on gear can force players to level up their stats in a certain way just so they can hold a better weapon or put on a more defensive piece of armor. This goes against the idea of freedom when leveling upin an RPG. Players could resist the temptation of armor that isn’t a part of their class. However, that will put them at a big disadvantage as it can be hard to find or make gear in general.
Dolmenwas released on July 23, 2025, and is available onPC,PS4,PS5,Xbox One, andXbox Series X.
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