Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is an upcoming Soulslike that already appears to stay true to the genre and yet maintains its uniqueness in others. Developed by indie game developer A44 Games and published by Kepler Interactive, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn puts players in control of Nor Vanek, an elite member of an army commissioned to repel the forces of the Dead unleashed by the Gods. The Door to the Great Below has been opened and the armies of the Dead that rush through it now threaten humanity and the lands of Kian. To stop them, Nor must partner with her magical fox-like companion Enki and take down Uru, the God behind the chaos.

There are many traditions associated with the Soulslike genre, like its difficulty and dark themes and environments. Technically classified by the developer as a "Souls-lite," Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn may not be as difficult as other Soulslike titles. Additionally, based on what has been revealed so far, it doesn't seem to be as dark and brooding as is common for a Soulslike game. However, one Soulslike tradition has found its way into Flintlock that many fans of the genre should be pleased with is Fashion Souls.

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Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn - Release Date Announcement Trailer

From the creators of Ashen Souls-lite Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn brings an action-packed adventure to Xbox on July 18, 2024.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn Maintains the Fashion Souls Tradition

Fashion Souls Is a Soulslike Tradition That Emphasizes a Player's Appearance

While not technically an official term, "Fashion Souls" is a term used to describe the aesthetically pleasing outfits that players can generally find within Soulslike games. Obviously, the Soulslike genre didn't invent cosmetic customization in games, but the designs of its armor pieces are generally very intricate and diverse in nature, allowing players an extensive amount of creativity in customizing the overall appearance of their character. Fashion Souls goes beyond customization, however, as many players ultimately see it as an opportunity to show off their unique cosmetic combinations to their friends and in online forums. The same term has been applied to other games outside the Soulslike genre, like Guild Wars, in which it is referred to as "Fashion Wars."

Players Can Unlock New Outfits for Nor in Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn maintains the tradition of Fashion Souls by giving players plenty of options to customize Nor's appearance. As they progress through Flintlock's world of Kian, players will come across Hamlets, which function very similarly to Far Cry's outposts in that they are overrun by the enemy and must be liberated. Upon defeating the leader of the enemy group in a Hamlet, villagers will once again populate the area and players can gain access to a Coffee Shop within it. Inside the Coffee Shop, an NPC awaits who can offer different appearances for Nor in exchange for Flintlock's version of Souls, Reputation.

Based on what has been revealed so far and in Game ZXC's hands-on preview of Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, these outfits are purely cosmetic and offer no gameplay bonuses. This might seem like a downside to some, considering purchasing them requires the game's primary resource, which is used for unlocking skills and upgrading weapons. Even so, acquiring every cosmetic option available will undoubtedly be at the top of many players' list of priorities, especially when it comes to showing off their outfits to their friends and those they encounter online. At the very least, it will make Nor look a little more stylish as she and her companion Enki fend off the Dead in pursuit of Uru.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn releases on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S on July 18, 2024.