Memoirium: Why You Should Care About This PSX-Styled Soulslike - gaming article
Why You Should Care About This PSX-Styled Soulslike
I don’t know whose fever dreams we are actually invading in Memoirium, but whoever they are, they seriously need to cut back on the late-night snacks. Seriously, if your subconscious looks like a collection of blocky nightmares filled with chair-wielding thugs and horn-faced monstrosities, you need professional help, not a therapist. I’ve spent the better part of the weekend getting absolutely wrecked by the platforming geometry in this game, and let me tell you, dying because you dodged off a giant, floating sword is a special kind of tilt. If you’re tired of the same old AAA soulslikes and want that retro PSX aesthetic, you’re gonna want to keep your eyes on this one.
The game hits Steam this Thursday, and after burning through the demo, I’m officially hooked on the vibe. It manages to capture that classic, jagged-polygon charm while delivering combat that actually feels tight and responsive. It’s not just another low-poly cash grab; there’s a genuine mechanical depth here that soulslike veterans will appreciate. Trust me, you’re gonna want to bookmark this title for your weekend rotation.
The Core Loop: Combat Meets Interior Design
The gameplay loop in Memoirium is a weird, beautiful mix of high-stakes combat and surprisingly chill home customization. You spend your time navigating through void-ravaged cemeteries and crumbling, cult-infested schools, which feels like a fever dream directed by a chaotic speedrunner. But the genius part? Your “bonfire” isn’t just a pile of bones or a magical statue. It’s your own personal bedroom.
Think of it as your safe house in the middle of a nightmare. As you gather resources from defeated enemies and chests, you can actually decorate your room. It’s the perfect QoL feature for when you need a mental break after dying to the same boss 47 times. Decorating your space gives you that sense of progression that keeps you from going hollow during the more punishing segments of the game.
5 Mistakes You’re Probably Making (Quit These Today)
I’ve seen way too many players jumping into the demo and getting clapped because they’re playing it like a hack-and-slash. Here is where you’re messing up:
- Panic Rolling: This isn’t a button-masher. If you spam dodge, you’re just gonna roll off a floating statue into the abyss. Chill out and time your i-frames.
- Ignoring the Decor: Don’t hoard your currency. Upgrading your bedroom isn’t just for aesthetics; it’s your primary hub for resets.
- Underestimating the Mob Density: These enemies love to surround you. If you see a group, try to kite them one by one. Taking on three chair-wielders at once is a total noob trap.
- Skipping the Environmental Cues: The architecture in this game is trying to kill you. Look at the ground before you sprint—if it looks like a giant sword, it probably is.
- Not Managing Your Stamina: It’s a classic soulslike trope, but in Memoirium, your stamina bar is everything. Stop swinging when you’re down to your last sliver.
My Go-To Strategy for Surviving the Early Game
If you want to speedrun the early progression, you need to focus on a balanced stat spread before you commit to a specific build. I found that prioritizing stamina regen early on makes the platforming segments significantly less painful. The meta right now is all about mobility; if you can’t dodge the weird, dream-logic attacks, you aren’t gonna last long.
Also, don’t sleep on the weapon variety. Even in the demo, there are some sleeper picks that have great reach. My personal favorite is the reach-heavy melee weapon that lets you poke enemies from a distance. It’s the ultimate cheese strat for those annoying mobs that try to ambush you from around corners.
Pro Tips That Skip the Grind
Listen, nobody likes to grind for hours just to get past a single zone. Here are a few tricks I picked up that saved me a ton of headache:
- Use the environment: If you can lure an enemy toward a ledge, let them do the work for you. Gravity is the strongest weapon in the game.
- Check the corners: The developers hid a lot of upgrade materials in spots that look like “dead” geometry. If a wall looks suspicious, hit it.
- Reset strategically: Don’t be afraid to warp back to your bedroom to refresh your supplies before a boss run. It’s better than losing your souls (or whatever the currency is called here) in a bad spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Memoirium a pay-to-win game?
Absolutely not. It’s a pure skill-based experience. Everything you need to succeed is earned through gameplay, not your credit card.
Can I run this on a low-end PC?
Given the PSX-inspired art style, you don’t need a beast of a rig. If your PC was built in the last five years, you should be totally fine to play it at high settings.
Is this game coming to consoles?
As of right now, it’s launching on Steam, but keep an eye on the dev’s socials. If the game blows up, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a console port down the line.
Final Thoughts
Memoirium is shaping up to be one of those indie gems that hits you out of nowhere. It balances the frustration of a soulslike with the cozy satisfaction of home decoration, and honestly? That’s exactly the kind of vibe check I need right now. It’s weird, it’s punishing, and the aesthetic is absolutely top-tier for anyone who grew up playing games in the late 90s.
I’m gonna be grinding this hard when it drops on Thursday. If you find a cool item or discover a secret room I missed, make sure to tag me on Twitter with your clips. I’m always looking for new strats to optimize my runs. Bookmark this page—I’ll be updating it with a full boss guide as soon as I’ve conquered the endgame!