Four Games for Masochists that are NOT "Dark Souls"

Most people, when asked “What is a masochist?”, typically give the same description: someone who is more inclined to whips, chains, and various other painful implements/torture methods to be “punished” with in order to feel… “happy”, let’s just say. They’re also known for having a thing for latex and being talked down to, but we won’t be getting into that stuff… [shudder] *Ahem*… to keep things PG13.

If you aren’t keen to the idea of using a puzzle box to summon the Cenobites—or you aren’t quite a fan of Dark Souls, though perhaps just shy of it—here are a few games that, while punishing, are enjoyable and rewarding for those who persevere.

You won’t even need a “safeword”… but you might need a new controller…

#1. Salt and Sanctuary – Ska Studios (PS4, PS Vita, Xbox One, Switch,Windows, Mac, Linux)

The salt this game is so named for is not only a good indicator of how much you may sob uncontrollably at the very thought of facing its bosses, but also of how much your blood pressure may spike as you fly into an unending, all consuming rage at how easily you die and how “cheap” the hits seem. As for myself, I proceeded to laugh maniacally as I faced “The Sodden Knight” for what seemed like the hundredth time. As a result of my persistent murderous rage (and unyeilding insomnia), “The Sodden Knight” became a pile of salt (the currency of the game) and I received some kickass armor… I then proceeded to die yet again, and, having saved further away along the map than I should have, had to muster my relentless fury once more in order to regain my lost salt, and no, not for “Margaritaville”, though I certainly felt like I should’ve at least had an alcoholic beverage or two at the ready to take the edge off…

I was gonna' go into more detail regarding my character here, however, due to a recent upgrade in hardware, it would seem that my character data was lost… which means I’ll have to repeat my (pathetic) struggle against “The Sodden Knight”… yet again… Ha… Ha, ha… HAHAHAHAHA!!!!

#2. Nioh – Team Ninja (PS4, PS5, Windows)

Those of the Samurai class were known for adhering to the code of Bushido, which advocated the strict punishment of Seppuku (ritual suicide) for those unfortunate Samurai whom had dishonored themselves, either through cowardice or having been bested in battle yet spared a swift death… fortunately, in this game, your character won’t have to end his own life for running away—and run away he will—since he simply won’t have time for all the bowing, tea-drinking, and ceremony before enemy Samurai cut him into little bits and bury him behind the temple woodshed. By about the 5th time I’d been brutally murdered by walking into an impromptu disgruntled Butcher’s shop, I’d learned the hard way that the best thing I could do was simply lure the bandits out, one by one, and try to be as stealthy as possible (which must be pretty hard to do in thick leather armor). The predecessor to hiding in Japanese thatch-roof cottages and praying to the Buddha to escape the hordes of bandits—like a wuss—was carefully treading down the corridors of the Tower of London, hoping not to be spotted. This was to no avail, since apparently, since the tower guards have night vision with thermal tracking… they’re also psychic and all of them wield Excalibur. “God Save the King”? No. God save me the everliving hassle of dealing with these English bastards… (Hey, a lot of people in that time period were born out of wedlock, ya’ never know…).

#3. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice – FromSoftware (PS4, Xbox One, Windows, Stadia)

Speaking of games that make me ponder my own suffering (in line with Buddhist philosophy), THIS particular game is like being reincarnated as a ninja… who dies immediately upon being reborn. One needs simply play long enough to truly comprehend how much this game can be the mental equivalent of Chinese bamboo torture. I had handily dispatched most of the enemy Samurai before coming across a General. Being the feudal Japanese equivalent of Spiderman, I figured it would be easy enough to get the drop on him and end things relatively quickly… The short answer to this brazen hubris? “No”. The longer answer? A series of curse words that, I’m afraid to say, may not be suitable for all audiences (this is a good, Christian article, thank you very much, I will not be responsible for corrupting the youth through the use of foul language…).

But I digress.

To turn a long story short (like my life in this game…), it turns out that he had two life-bars and all was for naught. I had tried to assassinate him and run, but in this instance, unlike the “Tenchu” games—another series by FromSoftware—things were (of course) not so simple since his health regenerates over time. Much like the Armored Core series—yet again developed by FromSoftware—facing him head on is like fighting a bulldozer made of chainsaws…‘Fun times.

#4. Code Vein – Bandai Namco Entertainment (PS4, Xbox One, Windows)

What can be said about “Code Vein”? That it’s a “Dark Souls” clone? Sure. That it contains gratuitous amounts of anime tropes and slightly risqué fan-service? Yup. That it will make you want to rip someone else’s hair out to keep yourself from balding prematurely (unlike yours truly)? You bet. That I love this game, like a harlot of a woman who abuses and belittles me on a regular basis, and yet I can’t, for the life of me, get enough of her…? You’d best believe it.

Vampirism, much in the same (ha.) “vein” as this game, drives its sufferers into an insatiable thirst for more. I had no sooner lost my haze (currency) at the hands of one of the enemies (known as “the lost”) that I found myself once again traversing the dungeon in search of vengeance and to reclaim what was rightfully mine… only to die yet again. Despite the learning curve (and the unfathomable amount of deaths I experienced), this game became an extremely potent “drug” and I, it’s possession-selling, awake-all-night, “C-C’mon, I just need one more hit, man!” addict.

Beyond this game being the only one on the list that I have played nearly to completion, it has quite an extensive character creator and, being both a history buff as well as a fan of Alice Cooper, I couldn’t resist making my character look "shock rock" meets WWI...

Yes, it's just as contradictory as it sounds...

All ‘n all, these games are pretty damn fun, if not slightly Lovecraftian in How madness-inducing they can be… this being said: it’s best to embrace the pain… [unhinged laughter]

Good luck.

Good songs to listen to while running for your life:

“I’m with Stupid” – Static X

“Free Will Sacrifice” – Amon Amarth

“Welcome To My Nightmare” – Alice Cooper

"Winterbane" - Abbath

"Fire and Forgive" - Powerwolf