Steelrising is an action role-playing game developed by Spiders and published by Nacon in 2022. Set in an alternate history version of the French Revolution, the game puts players in control of Aegis, an automaton bodyguard serving Marie Antoinette. As a Soulslike game, Steelrising features challenging combat encounters and a focus on precise timing for attacks and dodges. The game incorporates various weapon types and a stamina-based combat system familiar to fans of the genre. However, it distinguishes itself with its unique setting and the protagonist's mechanical nature, which allows for interesting traversal mechanics and upgrade systems. The game's world is a reimagined 18th century Paris, where King Louis XVI has unleashed an army of automatons to suppress the revolution. This steampunk-inspired setting offers a fresh take on the typically medieval or gothic environments common in Soulslike games. Steelrising also introduces some accessibility options, including an "assist mode" that allows players to adjust the game's difficulty by modifying damage taken, stamina consumption, and cooldown times. While adhering to many conventions of the Soulslike genre, Steelrising attempts to carve out its own identity through its distinct setting, protagonist, and some quality-of-life features that set it apart from more traditional entries in the genre.

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, released in 2008, is an action-adventure game that takes place in an open-world Manhattan. The game's storyline is set in an alternate universe where an alien symbiote invasion has taken over the city, causing chaos and transforming many characters into symbiote hosts. One of the game's unique features is the ability to choose between two different paths: the classic red-and-blue Spider-Man suit, representing the heroic path, or the black symbiote suit, representing a more aggressive and violent approach. This choice affects the gameplay mechanics, abilities, and the outcome of the story. The game features a dynamic combat system that allows Spider-Man to switch between his traditional web-slinging and melee attacks, and the more powerful symbiote abilities, such as tendrils and increased strength. The symbiote suit also grants Spider-Man the ability to control and manipulate the symbiote creatures, allowing for unique strategies in combat. One of the game's standout features is the environmental interaction system, where Spider-Man can use objects in the environment, such as cars or lamp posts, as weapons or tools during combat. Additionally, the game includes a range of side missions and challenges, providing additional content beyond the main storyline. Web of Shadows received mixed reviews upon its release, with praise for its combat system, environmental interaction, and the choice-driven narrative, but criticism for its technical issues, repetitive gameplay, and lackluster graphics compared to other games of the time.

Metroid Dread is a 2D side-scrolling action-adventure game developed by MercurySteam and Nintendo EPD, released exclusively for the Nintendo Switch in 2021. It is the first original 2D Metroid game in 19 years, serving as a direct sequel to Metroid Fusion (2002). As a veteran of the genre, you'll appreciate that Metroid Dread maintains the core exploration-based gameplay and ability progression that defines the Metroidvania subgenre. The game introduces several new mechanics to the series: 1. E.M.M.I. zones: Areas patrolled by nearly indestructible robots, creating tense stealth sequences. 2. Free aim and melee counter: Refined from Metroid: Samus Returns (2017), allowing for more precise combat. 3. Slide and Spider Magnet: New movement options that expand traversal possibilities. 4. Phantom Cloak: A temporary invisibility ability used primarily for stealth. 5. Flash Shift: A short-range teleport useful in both exploration and combat. The game takes place on the planet ZDR and continues the narrative thread involving the X Parasites and Chozo lore. It's noted for its challenging boss encounters and the tension created by the E.M.M.I. pursuit sequences. Metroid Dread received critical acclaim for its gameplay refinements, atmosphere, and how it concludes the mainline 2D Metroid storyline while introducing new elements to the series formula.