Why 'souls-like' parry systems need a serious rethink

The satisfying 'thwack' of a perfectly timed parry has become a cornerstone of action RPGs since FromSoftware popularized the 'Souls-like' genre. Yet, the mechanic, seemingly ubiquitous across AAA titles, feels increasingly… predictable. It’s a design choice that, while initially engaging, risks calcifying into a rote exercise in memorization, ultimately undermining the intended challenge and player agency.

The familiar dance: defense, dodge, parry

The standard playbook is straightforward. Facing an incoming attack, players typically have three options: block, dodge, or parry. Blocking is the safest but often comes with durability concerns or incomplete damage mitigation. Dodging offers maneuverability but requires precise timing and spatial awareness. And then there's the parry – a high-risk, high-reward maneuver that, when executed correctly, negates damage and opens the enemy to a counterattack. It's a compelling risk/reward cycle, at least in theory.

The problem isn't the parry itself, but rather the predictability of enemy attack patterns. Games like Sekiro and Code Vein 2, while boasting intricate combat systems, rely on enemy AI that adheres to pre-determined routines. Through repeated encounters, players learn these patterns, turning parrying into a near-automatic response—a matter of muscle memory rather than skillful judgment. The reward for mastery thus becomes disproportionate to the effort; a seasoned player can essentially “cheese” difficult encounters by stringing together parries with minimal risk.

Essentially, what begins as a tactical decision devolves into an efficiency optimization. Skilled players begin to prioritize builds that maximize parry windows and critical hit damage, effectively rendering defensive equipment redundant. Why bother investing in a sturdy shield when a perfectly timed parry guarantees an instant opening for a devastating counter?

Sekiro attempted to address this with a second parry type, emphasizing the trade-off between defense and offense. The logic is sound: if you’re not planning to block, why burden yourself with the weight of a shield? Instead, invest in speed and damage. The inherent risk of reduced protection becomes a meaningful choice only until players achieve a level of mastery where they can consistently read enemy attacks, turning the difficulty dial down to a frustratingly low level.

The depth of the game ultimately collapses into a parry-and-punish loop. And while this isn't necessarily a criticism of any single developer – it's a systemic design flaw that permeates the genre – it’s a curious oversight in a space known for its demanding gameplay. Consider the iconic 'Let Me Solo Her' character from Elden Ring; her nudity wasn't mere spectacle but a strategic choice – less weight meant greater agility and responsiveness, a clear advantage against the bosses players were struggling with. It highlighted a fundamental truth: knowledge of an enemy’s moveset can often outweigh the benefits of heavy armor.

Finding the balance: a path forward

The question becomes: how can we rebalance the parry system to ensure that mastery truly enhances, rather than trivializes, the challenge? There's no universal solution, each game must forge its own path. Hollow Knight offers a compelling alternative—parrying simply negates damage, providing a defensive maneuver without the offensive benefit. The game's strength lies in its tight hitboxes and responsive controls, allowing players to react and survive seemingly impossible attacks. This approach eliminates the incentive to prioritize parrying over other defensive strategies.

FromSoftware itself has grappled with this issue, evident in the design of certain Gwyn encounters, forcing players to rely on dodging and blocking rather than solely on parrying. Perhaps the solution lies in implementing parries that don't negate all damage, or those with conditions or limitations based on player stats or weapon type.

Ultimately, I observe a quirk, a recurring pattern in these intricate games. While mastering a mechanic is rewarding, the ability to learn enemy animations and essentially bypass challenges through rote memorization feels…off. The thrill of a Souls-like experience isn't simply about executing a perfect parry; it’s about confronting seemingly insurmountable odds and emerging victorious through skill, strategy, and a healthy dose of perseverance. A system that allows players to transform difficult bosses into punching bags undermines that fundamental principle.