Cassandra Vindicta

I started playing this game quite late, picked up a copy last year. Easily one of the best decisions in my life. It took me probably 50 deaths before the game clicked with me and I haven't been able to put it down since. The playstyle is fast and rewards aggressive combat with the rally system and a lack of shields. Navigating new areas is fraught with danger-nowhere is safe until you reach a lamp-and when you beat a boss, it genuinely feels like you earned it. It's possible to overlevel but only if you deliberately farm for it, otherwise it's relatively challenging for most of the game. The trick weapons are so much fun to use and stand out as being unique amongst so many other fantasy games. Instead of generic greatswords and short swords, you get to wield a twin blade that splits into a saber and dagger for dual wielding, a longsword that turns into a greatsword and a sword that can be fused with a giant rock to make a hammer, amongst many others. You also have the option of a firearm and parrying is encouraged to deal extra damage in visceral attacks. Visually, the art direction is absolutely bewitching with a variety of environments to explore, ranging from the early cramped gothic streets of Yharnam to the grand Castlevania-esque heights of Castle Cainhurst and the creepy Victorian asylum vibes of the DLC (a must buy if you enjoy the main game, and the difficulty is a real step up with the most iconic bosses). All that being said, my favourite thing about this game is the lore. Every item description is worth reading to piece together bits of the story, and it's very much up to your own interpretation in true Fromsoft style. One review mentioned the lore being "ridiculous" and "grotesque". It's horror themed and takes place in a dystopian setting so it's not going to be full of kittens and butterflies, but I will say that I've played games and read books that have more upsetting and nonsensical things going on, like Resident Evil for example. If you like Lovecraftian horror, you will adore this.