Soulslike action RPG Lords of the Fallen gets new preview at Gamescom

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By Cat Bussell
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Best of both worlds

Person wielding weapon in Lords of the Fallen
(Image credit: CI Games)

Impressive new soulsborne action RPG Lords of the Fallen has received brand new preview footage at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2023, showing off developer Hexworks' grim fantasy world in all its bleak glory. 

Seeking to move beyond the Elden Ring formula, Lords of the Fallen embraces a dual worlds mechanic, where the game environment exists as two parallel dimensions between which the player can travel at a cost. Not only does it offer some gorgeous visuals, but it also opens the game up to puzzling and traversal elements that aren't all that common in soulsborne games. 

In its newest extended story trailer, we also get to explore the game's setting and the enemies we can expect to come up against in fierce combat, including a multi-headed, fire-breathing dragon. Within several cinematic shots, it's clear that the setting of the game will be just as epic and enchanting as its intense combat, alongside the story we will be able to delve into this October.

In fact, in our hands-on with Lords of the Fallen, we were very impressed at the game's tight, responsive combat and well-structured learning curve. Lords of the Fallen also gives players a much-needed second chance upon dying. Rather than immediately respawning, your character will leave the mortal world, Axiom, and descend to Umbral, the realm of the dead. In Umbral, you'll be able to continue the encounter, offering something of a reprieve for players. 

While still retaining the intricate challenges that make soulsborne titles so distinctive, Lords of the Fallen gives players a helping hand, both with its dual worlds mechanic, but also through its clear lore and exposition. Though it still possesses the mystery and intrigue of the likes of Dark Souls, Lords of the Fallen is more explicit in its stakes, offering up characters with clear, comprehensible motives. 

Though it's early days, we at TRG have high hopes for the game in advance of its planned October 13 release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. With any luck, Lords of the Fallen will breathe new life into the saturated soulsborne space.

While you wait, why not take a look at our guide to the best PS5 games, as well as our list of the best Xbox Series X games?

Cat Bussell
Cat Bussell
Staff Writer

Cat Bussell is a Staff Writer at TechRadar Gaming. Hailing from the crooked spires of London, Cat is an experienced writer and journalist. As seen on Wargamer.com, TheGamer.com, and Superjumpmagazine.com, Cat is here to bring you coverage from all corners of the video game world. An inveterate RPG maven and strategy game enjoyer, Cat is known for her love of rich narratives; both story-driven and emergent. 


Before migrating to the green pastures of games journalism, Cat worked as a political advisor and academic. She has three degrees and has studied and worked at Cambridge University, University College London, and Queen Mary University of London. She's also been an art gallery curator, an ice cream maker, and a cocktail mixologist. This crash course in NPC lifestyles uniquely qualifies her to pick apart only the juiciest video games for your reading pleasure. 


Cat cut her teeth on MMOs in the heyday of World of Warcraft before giving in to her love of JRPGs and becoming embedded in Final Fantasy XIV. When she's not doing that, you might find her running a tabletop RPG or two, perhaps even voluntarily.