What is the Lords of the Fallen release date? One of the very first Souls-likes makes a triumphant return. This dark fantasy reboot from CI Games is set a thousand years after its predecessor, boasting a map that’s five times larger than the original 2014 title – suffice it to say, a lot has changed since then, and we’re here to get you up to speed.
If you’re counting down the days to the Lords of the Fallen release date, then be sure to check out PCGamesN’s very own Lords of the Fallen review, which charts our own experience with the action-adventure game. We’ve also got the Lords of the Fallen system requirements to help you prepare for your journey ahead of time. All that said, here’s everything we know about Lords of the Fallen, including the release date.
Lords of the Fallen release date
The Lords of the Fallen release date is Friday, October 13, 2023. It arrives on PC via Steam, as well as PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and S.
A sequel to the 2014 title was officially announced that same year, appropriately dubbed Lords of the Fallen 2. However, it wasn’t until 2017 that CI Games had parted ways with lead developer Deck13 Interactive after development had stalled. In 2018, CI Games released a statement that Defiant Studios would be leading the project, but this contract was soon terminated after the publisher deemed the work undertaken “inadequate”. It wasn’t until 2020 that CI Games founded Hexworks, an in-house development team led by executive producer Saul Gascon and creative director Cezar Virtosu.
Following the founding of Hexworks, Lords of the Fallen has had several different names, including the working title Lords of the Fallen: The Dark Crusade. The initial moniker of Lords of the Fallen 2 was replaced by The Lords of the Fallen in a trailer released during Gamescom 2022, but was officially rebranded Lords of the Fallen in early 2023.
Lords of the Fallen trailers
CI Games released a gameplay reveal trailer back in May 2023 featuring almost four minutes of gameplay and cutscenes, showing off a dark fantasy aesthetic and narration that’s definitely giving FromSoftware a run for its money.
Lords of the Fallen looks to be taking some clear swings with the Souls-like formula established by FromSoftware over a decade ago. PCGamesN learned a lot about Lords of the Fallen while out at GDC in early 2023, where creative director Cezar Virtosu expanded upon Lords of the Fallen’s Jedi fantasy magic system, the ability to place bonfires, and what this means for resource management and game difficulty.
Lords of the Fallen gameplay
The biggest highlight of Lords of the Fallen is the ability to cross between worlds, exploring either the realm of the living or the dead – otherwise known as Axiom and Umbral, respectively. To traverse between worlds you must sacrifice one of your own lives; if you’re slain by an enemy in Axiom, you’ll resurrect in the same location, but in Umbral.
In PCGamesN’s interview with Hexworks at Gamescom 2023, creative director Cezar Virtuso and art director Alexandre Chaudret expressed confidence that this unique approach to world design in the Souls-like genre will to help Lords of the Fallen stand out from the crowd.
In the extended gameplay trailer above, we’re introduced to the Umbral Lamp and how we can use it to cross between the light and dark realms in order to manipulate the environment to better navigate the world, as well as its uses in combat. However, be warned: we can also confirm from our own hands-on that spending too much time in the land of the dead results in more enemies pursuing you.
You also have the choice of playing the single-player campaign, or teaming up with another pal for an online co-op adventure – a new feature that was missing in the 2014 game, and certainly lacking in many Souls-likes.
Lords of the Fallen story
Lords of the Fallen picks up a millennia after the defeat of the demon God, Adyr. However, Gods do not fall forever. Adyr is primed and ready to make a fierce comeback, and it’s your job as a Dark Crusader to journey through both realms of the living and dead to finally vanquish him.
An official story trailer debuted at Gamescom, which kicks off with the Dark Crusader losing his life (and his head) to the Lightreaper, one of the many bosses standing in our way. We also have the chance to hear from the Demon God himself, granting us insight into his motives to bring humanity under his dominion in a chilling voiceover.
Meanwhile, we’re treated to a montage of the fearsome foes that make up Lords of the Fallen’s rogues’ gallery in action, facing off against the Dark Crusader in deadly combat, as well the debut of Sophesia and Byron, two denizens that we’re likely to encounter in our travels. The trailer culminates in a hair-raising glimpse of a Lovecraftian nightmare comprised large of teeth, eyeballs, and what may well be portals to other dimensions within Umbral. Spooky.
Lords of the Fallen pre-order bonus
The Lords of the Fallen pre-order bonus includes:
- Exclusive bronze, silver, and gold armor tincts
- Three XP items
- Five HP items
- Five MP items
Lords of the Fallen deluxe edition
The Lords of the Fallen deluxe edition includes:
- Pre-order bonuses if you pre-order
- Physical and digital deluxe edition
- Dark Crusader, an addition to the Lords of the Fallen classes (with their items found throughout the base game as well)
- Digital artbook
- 3D model viewer
- Digital soundtrack
Lords of the Fallen collector’s edition
The Lords of the Fallen collector’s edition includes:
- Pre-order bonuses if you pre-order
- All deluxe edition content
- Steelbook
- Hand-painted figurine
- Hardcover artbook
- Double-sided poster and art card set
While you wait for the Lords of the Fallen release date, our look at the best Souls-like games available on PC is sure to get you prepared for the unrelenting danger in CI Games’ newest title. Alternatively, our list of the best new PC games will certainly tide you over if you’re looking for some multi-genre recommendations.
As for the game itself, here are some guides on what the best Lords of the Fallen weapons are to make the best Lords of the Fallen builds, where to find the Lords of the Fallen beacons, and how to defeat the Lords of the Fallen bosses, just to name a few.