Much like playing one, crafting a Soulslike is a brutal dance of precision and punishment. CI Games knows this all too well after a decade of swinging for the fences with Lords of the Fallen. The game stumbled at launch, as technical hiccups and design quirks dimmed its ambitious glow, but Version 2.0, available today on Xbox Series X|S and Game Pass, flips the script. This isn’t just a polish job. It’s a refined beast that proves the studio’s grit and player feedback can forge something truly special. Here’s why this definitive edition deserves your attention. A Rocky Start, A Relentless Comeback Lords of the Fallen hit the ground running with big ideas: a heavy metal-soaked dark fantasy, the eerie Umbral realm of the dead, and Unreal Engine 5’s bleeding-edge tech. But launch woes, including clunky performance and a combat pace that didn’t quite click, left some players cold. CI Games didn’t flinch. Over 50 updates later, we’ve turned a shaky debut into a lean, mean Soulslike machine. Version 2.0 isn’t about rewriting history. It’s about delivering the game we, and the players, always wanted. What’s New in 2.0? Co-op and More, Refined Version 2.0 brings a slew of upgrades, starting with full seamless co-op that’s now a core pillar of the experience. You and a friend can tackle Mournstead’s dual realms together, with fully shared progression ensuring you’re always in sync (story, loot, and all). The free friend’s pass sweetens the deal, letting you invite a buddy to play for free across any platform with no strings attached. Global matchmaking and improved online stability mean you won’t be left hanging when the Scarlet Shadow comes calling. Combat gets a glow-up with enhancements that make every swing feel sharper, such as tighter animations and more responsive controls. Jumping now feels natural with a dedicated button and smoother handling, opening up Mournstead’s verticality without breaking its gothic flow. The character creator has been expanded with new options and models, letting you craft a Dark Crusader that truly feels yours. Auto vigor pickup streamlines the grind, while a revamped UI, which is more reactive and intuitive, keeps you in the fight instead of the menus. New players will appreciate the overhauled tutorial, now streamlined for a smoother, more accessible start without sacrificing the genre’s bite. Quality-of-life tweaks abound: stat indicators, a dynamic HUD, better button prompts for soulflays, and a guidebook make the journey less cryptic. And for those Umbral dives, the lamp guidance system now highlights vestiges when raised, making navigation through the realm of the dead less of a guessing game. Standing Out in a Crowded Crypt Soulslikes live or die by their identity, and Lords of the Fallen has carved its own niche. Umbral’s risk-reward twist, which involves trading a life for juicier loot while dodging death’s grasp, feels fresh, especially with smoother transitions and lamp guidance in 2.0. Combat leans into speed and aggression, blending dual-wielding and spell-slinging with a heavy metal edge that’s all its own, like thundering riffs over somber strings. The improved jumping fits snugly into a world retooled for verticality, letting you explore Mournstead’s haunting heights with confidence. Version 2.0 sharpens this identity further. The seamless co-op transforms the lonely crusade into a shared saga, with Umbral’s stakes hitting harder when a friend’s got your back. The expanded character creator lets you step into Mournstead with a look that’s uniquely yours. It’s not perfect, as some quirks linger, but it’s a distinct take on the genre that’s finally hitting its stride. Players Built This Beast What makes Version 2.0 sing isn’t just CI Games’ hustle. It’s the community’s fingerprints all over it. We’ve listened to feedback from Reddit, social media, and playtests, which shaped everything from the new UI to the co-op overhaul. The lamp guidance came from players wanting clearer paths in Umbral. The seamless co-op was a direct response to fans craving a tighter tandem experience. This isn’t lip service. Over 18 months, the team sifted through feedback, tweaking and testing until Mournstead felt alive, not just for them, but for you. Version 2.0 celebrates that bond, proving a rocky launch doesn’t have to be the end. Why Now? Lords of the Fallen version 2.0 isn’t chasing trends. It’s carving its own bloody niche. Whether you’re a lapsed player wondering if it’s worth a second shot or a newcomer eyeing it on Game Pass, this is the moment to jump in. Solo, it’s a punishing, polished trek through a world dripping with dread. With a friend, it’s a co-op Soulslike that finally nails the formula. CI Games hints at a “bold, brutal” future for the series, but right now, 2.0 stands tall as a testament to overcoming hurdles and keeping promises. Lords of the Fallen‘s version 2.0 update is live today on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Game Pass. Grab a controller, call a friend, and see if you’ve got what it takes to conquer Mournstead. The light’s finally shining through the dark. Lords of the Fallen CI Games ☆☆☆☆☆ 488 ★★★★★ $69.99 $20.99 Get it now Xbox Game Pass Free Trial Version 2.0 – Out Now Following over 50 post-launch updates, the definitive Lords of the Fallen Version 2.0 has finally arrived and adds further significant improvements, including: Shared-Progression Crossplay Co-Op Building on seamless co-op, both players will now save all mainline progress as long as you’re on the same ‘New Game’ playthrough and have killed the same number of main bosses (within one). In all play sessions, both players will retain all loot, 100% vigor, and have the ability to revive each other. Free Friend’s Pass Invite any friend to join your adventure in online co-op even if they don’t own the game. Friends will retain all loot and character progression between online sessions, and have free offline access to the full tutorial and character creator. Revamped Combat & Movement V2.0 introduces enhanced character movement and combat, including more precise attack animations and improved weapon responsiveness, more effective evasions, a refined lock-on system, new grievous strike button prompts, and more. Dedicated Jump Button Players can now jump at any time with a single button press allowing for much more intuitive platforming. Full Weapon Audio Overhaul Every weapon now delivers a richer, more impactful soundscape, amplifying every swing, parry, and block for a more immersive and satisfying combat experience. Overhauled Character Creator Craft more realistic and visually striking characters with improved facial detail, body shapes, and overall visual fidelity for both male and female models. Modernized UI & HUD Options A new user interface is cleaner and easier to navigate, while you can now also disable the HUD for a more immersive experience or use the dynamic HUD setting, where it fades in and out based on gameplay. Improved Tutorial Experience The updated tutorial offers clearer, more intuitive instructions. Additionally, a new in-game guidebook means you can reference previous prompts at any time throughout your adventure. Umbral Lamp Guidance Your Umbral lamp now has the ability to highlight the path towards your next vestige point, aiding lost crusaders through the winding passages of Mournstead. Lords of the Fallen introduces an all-new, epic RPG adventure in a vast, interconnected world. Aeons after his defeat by the hands of man, the demon God Adyr’s resurrection draws nigh. As a fabled Dark Crusader, journey through the realms of the living and the dead in this expansive RPG experience to overthrow Adyr once and for all. Featuring colossal boss battles, fast challenging combat, and deep, immersive storytelling. Explore A Vast, Interconnected World Journey across two expansive, parallel worlds – the world of the living and the dead – with each harbouring its own pathways, secrets, treasures… and foes. Master Fast, Challenging Combat Choose from 100s of unique weapons, from heavy-hitting flails to rapid-fire crossbows, or forgo metal for magic with devastating attacks of the arcane. Unite in Online Multiplayer Experience the campaign alone, or unite with other players in full ‘shared progression’ online co-op. Provided you and your companion are on the same ‘New Game’ playthrough and have defeated a similar number of main bosses (within one), both players will save all mainline progress. Or invite any friend who doesn't own the game to adventure by your side using the Free Friend’s Pass. Customise your Journey With the Advanced Game Modifier System, fully customise your gaming experience, including enemy density, randomised loot, pre-upgraded weapons, permadeath, and more. Define Your Legend Personalise your character’s appearance before selecting one of nine varied character classes. Whichever starting path you take, develop your own playstyle by upgrading stats and weapons. Post-Launch Updates Over 50 post-launch updates have been released, vastly improving the experience with significant performance enhancements, rigorous difficulty balancing in response to player feedback, multiple new questlines, enhanced combat and character movement, and a number of new Quality-of-Life features.