Most Soulslike RPGs stick to FromSoftware's progression system, realizing there's no point in trying to fix what isn't broken. However, exceptions exist to every rule, and a handful of developers have attempted to reinvent the wheel, to mixed results. Just because something is unique doesn't automatically make it good, but we should respect games that break from the beaten path and try something new.
Throwing Dark Souls' "dump currency into stats at a checkpoint" system, the following Soulslike RPGs explore unique mechanical philosophies, occasionally taking inspiration from other genres. These progression systems aren't necessarily better than the standard variant, but they provide a distinct reason to play.
While the IP didn't fully take off until the sequel, Mortal Shell had already laid a foundation that distinguished itself from Dark Souls. Although the gameplay is fairly typical FromSoftware, the original game offers a progression system that runs directly opposite the status quo: no free creation. Instead of investing points into stats and crafting your own build, you unlock Shells that act as archetypes:
All five Shells have fixed points in Durability, Stamina, and Resolve, as well as abilities/skills that can be unlocked. Using two different currencies, you speak to Sester Genessa and learn the warrior's name and live through their memories, expanding their talent tree with passive perks in the process. Mortal Shell also includes a weapon upgrade system, and each Shell can equip any of them.
Mortal Shell 2 improves on this formula by introducing stat upgrades and more Shells, but its fundamental ideas are the same as the original game. Mortal Shell's progression system isn't perfect, but it encourages you to pick the Shell that makes the most sense for any given scenario, removing FOMO and eliminating the need to constantly respec your stats.
Death is part of life; more specifically, it is part of the Dark Souls life. Most games don't attempt to link the death-respawn cycle with progression, but Chronos: Before the Ashes isn't most games. In a fascinating twist on the concept, death ages your character by a single year, allowing them to go from 18 to 80. Lore-wise, you are exploring a labyrinth that only opens once per year, so failure means having to wait.
Your age bracket directly determines your build, influencing stat requirements and unlocking traits.
Every 10 years, you unlock new perks that follow the same trajectory (physical to magical). Chronos: Before the Ashes entirely strips away meta planning, something so important to games like Elden Ring. If you get stuck on a brutal boss and lose 15 times in a row, your biological makeup irreversibly changes, forcing you to adapt accordingly.
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