Strayed Lights Screenshot Enemy Boss

Strayed Lights: How The Combat Mechanics Affect The Gaming Industry

Embers, the developer and publisher of the recently launched game, Strayed Lights, is revolutionising the hack-and-slash genre by encouraging players to adopt a defensive playing style rather than an offensive one.

Strayed Lights is an action-adventure game with an immersive atmosphere that revolves around a light-based creature battling against shadow monsters and finding its lost spark. The game’s combat system focuses on parrying attacks, where the player mimics the enemy’s colour to boost energy absorption, build up a finishing blow, and recover lost health. Although Strayed Lights also has offensive moves, such as a guard-breaker and a time-stopping attack, they serve more as “get out of jail free” cards.

Players can explore the game’s colourful environments and tackle dangerous shadow creatures in any order they choose. The game’s forgiving parry system, coupled with its soothing soundtrack and forgiving autosaves, creates a laid-back vibe that never demands perfection from the player. Strayed Lights offers a refreshing approach to combat, where the emphasis on defensive tactics such as parrying incentivises players to approach combat in a different way, and rewards them for doing so. You can check out our full review here.

Strayed Lights Screenshot Enemy Variant
In-game Screenshot

Strayed Lights Emphasis on Defence

The emphasis on defensive gameplay in Strayed Lights could have a significant impact on the games industry. It may inspire developers to explore similar mechanics, leading to a greater variety of combat styles and gameplay experiences. Additionally, it may encourage players to try new approaches to combat and to think more strategically rather than relying solely on brute force.

Moreover, Strayed Lights‘ open-ended approach to gameplay and forgiving combat mechanics could make the game more accessible to a wider audience. Unlike many character-action games that can be incredibly challenging, the game offers a more relaxed experience that still challenges players without the pressure to be perfect.

Strayed Lights is out now on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam.

Strayed Lights Boss Battle with Ape Cutscene