Lords of the Fallen crosses 5.5 million players

Lords of the Fallen (Image Credit: CI Games)

Lords of the Fallen (2023) has officially surpassed 5.5 million players, marking a major milestone for the dark fantasy action RPG developed by Hexworks and published by CI Games.

The news was shared in a celebratory post by the developer on X (formerly Twitter), where the team thanked fans for their support and hinted at exciting developments to come.

“Mournstead burns brighter than ever, with over 5.5 million Lampbearers worldwide,” the post read. “Your fierce loyalty, feedback, and passion have helped shape Lords of the Fallen into what it is today... and the exciting chapter that comes next. In light, we walk!”

Released in October 2023, Lords of the Fallen is a reboot of the 2014 title—not a sequel—and sets itself apart with a distinctive dual-reality mechanic. Instead of simply rehashing familiar Soulslike formulas, it introduces a compelling twist: players wield the mystical Umbral Lamp, a tool that allows them to traverse two parallel realms—the living world of Axiom and the ghostly dimension of Umbral.

You take on the role of a Dark Crusader on a mission to stop the resurrection of Adyr, a long-dormant demon god. Navigating both realms isn’t just a narrative feature—it directly affects gameplay. Enemies, terrain, and exploration opportunities shift depending on which reality you’re in, giving the world a layered and constantly evolving feel.

The game features a vast interconnected map several times larger than its predecessor, complete with three different endings (Radiant, Inferno, and Umbral) based on player decisions.

Combat leans heavily into the Soulslike tradition with stamina-focused melee, punishing difficulty, and massive bosses. But it also adds customization through hundreds of spells and weapons, plus online co-op and PvP that support shared progression.

The 2.0 update, rolled out in April 2025, addressed some of the early criticisms by adding a much-requested jump button, a more polished combat system, an overhauled character creator, and clearer tutorials.

Critically, the game received mixed-to-positive reviews. Its dual-world mechanic earned high praise from major outlets—IGN, for instance, called the Umbral Lamp “the game’s best original idea,” noting how it added real depth to both exploration and combat. The atmosphere, powered by Unreal Engine 5, was also widely admired for its gothic art direction and haunting environments.

The soundtrack didn’t go unnoticed either. With contributions from Bloodborne composer Cris Velasco and Conan Exiles composer Knut Haugen, the score was recorded with a full orchestra and choir, creating a cinematic layer that heightened the game’s already immersive world.

However, not everything went smoothly. Early players and reviewers pointed out technical issues, including performance drops and inconsistent difficulty spikes. The game’s enemy design also drew criticism, with some feeling overwhelmed by constant mob attacks and narrow breathing space between boss encounters. As noted by outlets like Game8 and Rock Paper Shotgun, this “mob spam” could frustrate even seasoned Soulslike fans.

Despite those flaws, the game built a strong and dedicated player base. It sold 1 million copies in 10 days, and over 4 million players by early 2025. The latest figure stated players data, not sales numbers, mostly due to its inclusion in Xbox Game Pass.

A sequel, tentatively titled Lords of the Fallen 2, is currently in development and set for release in 2026. Early hints suggest a more accessible experience, new gameplay modes, and PC exclusivity via the Epic Games Store.