The Cyberpunk Soulslike
This mix combines the high-tech, neon-drenched atmosphere of a cyberpunk RPG with the challenging combat and atmospheric storytelling of a Souls-like game.
Cyberpunk elements: You'd get a sprawling, vertical city to explore, full of neon signs, flying cars, and diverse factions. Your character could have cybernetic enhancements, allowing for unique abilities like a grappling hook for vertical traversal, an arm cannon, or subdermal plating for defense.
Souls-like elements: The combat would be demanding, focusing on stamina management, precise dodges, and parries. The story would be told through environmental clues, cryptic dialogue, and item descriptions, leaving players to piece together the lore of the decaying futuristic world. Boss battles would be epic, against giant mechs or corrupted AI.
Why it works: The slow, deliberate combat of a Souls-like would contrast beautifully with the fast-paced, high-tech world of cyberpunk. The sense of isolation and decay found in Souls games would feel at home in a dystopian future, and the challenge would make every victory feel earned.
The Magical Roguelike FPS
This idea merges the adrenaline-pumping action of a first-person shooter (FPS) with the magical powers and replayability of a roguelike game.
Roguelike elements: Every run is different. You start each playthrough with basic magical abilities and explore a procedurally generated world, like a magical labyrinth or a series of floating islands. When you die, you lose your current abilities, but you unlock permanent upgrades or new spells for future runs, adding a sense of progression.
FPS elements: The core gameplay would be from a first-person perspective, but instead of guns, you'd be "shooting" spells. You could have a fireball spell, an ice shard spell, or a lightning chain. You could also find powerful artifacts that change your playstyle, like a staff that turns your fireball into an explosive meteor.
Why it works: The frenetic pace of an FPS would be super fun with a variety of spells. The roguelike structure would keep the game fresh and exciting. Imagine finding a new combination of spells and passive abilities that makes you feel unstoppable, only to have a new challenge on the next run.
The Post-Apocalyptic Life Sim
This combines the harsh survival and exploration of a post-apocalyptic game with the creative building and relationship systems of a life simulation.
Post-apocalyptic elements: The world is a dangerous wasteland. You have to scavenge for resources, fight off mutated creatures, and manage your hunger, thirst, and health. The story could be about rebuilding society after a cataclysmic event.
Life Sim elements: Your main goal isn't just to survive, but to thrive. You would build and manage a settlement, recruiting other survivors and assigning them jobs like farming, scavenging, or defending. You could build relationships with them, get married, and even have children, who would inherit your skills and attributes. The game could span generations, with your actions shaping the future of your community.
Why it works: Instead of just being a lonely survivor, you get to see your efforts pay off in a meaningful way. You're not just fighting to survive another day; you're building a legacy. The stress of survival would be balanced by the rewarding feeling of seeing your community grow and flourish.