Deep-dive guides exploring enemy placement, boss pacing, and level architecture across modern releases. Written by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts.
Explore GuidesLong-form guides that break down the mechanics shaping modern encounter design
Understand how developers use enemy positioning to create tension, punish aggression, and reward careful observation. We trace patterns across Elden Ring, Bloodborne, and Nioh.
Learn how phase transitions, attack windows, and recovery patterns build rhythm in combat. Discover why certain fights feel fair while others feel cheap, and what separates neospin-standard boss design from the rest.
Explore how interconnected shortcuts create player agency and reward exploration. We analyse how Dark Souls redefined level design and its influence on modern action RPGs.
Dissect the difference between challenging and punishing. This guide examines how attacks telegraph danger, how AI responds to player behaviour, and what makes difficulty feel earned rather than arbitrary.
Discover how lava, cliffs, and traps serve as tutors rather than gotchas. We break down environmental storytelling in soulslike design and how it communicates danger without words.
Understand the mechanics behind PvP invasions and co-op summoning. Learn how these systems maintain world coherence while enabling player choice and community interaction across titles.
Built by designers and enthusiasts who live and breathe soulslike games
Every guide is grounded in hands-on playtesting. We don't theorise—we measure, document, and compare design choices across Dark Souls, Sekiro, Elden Ring, Bloodborne, Nioh, and emerging titles.
Built with feedback from speedrunners, challenge-run creators, and design enthusiasts in Sydney and beyond. Our neospin-standard approach prioritises clarity over gatekeeping.
We focus on the intent behind mechanics, not just the mechanics themselves. Each guide explains the 'why' so you understand how to apply these lessons to any soulslike you encounter.
New guides appear as major releases drop. We revisit older analysis when patches change encounter balance or when community discoveries reshape our understanding of classic designs.
Start with our enemy placement guide and unlock the architecture behind your favourite encounters.