Mobile action Soul Knight has long established itself as one of the best representatives of the roguelike genre on the Android platform. However, many players face difficulties when trying to organize a joint game with friends while being at a distance from each other. Standard methods of connecting via a local network are often powerless if the devices are not physically located in the same room.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods of organizing multiplayer games on smartphones. We will not use third-party emulators or complex router settings, but will focus on methods available to every owner of an Android device right now.
The main difficulty is that the game is initially designed for a local connection. However, using modern capabilities of the operon system Android and the principles of operation of virtual networks, you can easily bypass these restrictions and enjoy co-op anywhere.
Principles of the Soul Knight network code
For a successful connection, you need to understand the basic logic that the game engine uses. Soul Knight looks for other devices exclusively within one local subnet (LAN). This means that both smartphones must have IP addresses starting the same, for example, 192.168.1.X and 192.168.1.Y.
When you are at home and connected to one router, addresses are distributed automatically. But as soon as you connect to a 4G mobile network or connect to different Wi-Fi points, your devices find themselves in different “worlds” in terms of the TCP/IP protocol. The game simply does not see the interlocutor.
⚠️ Attention: mobile data (3G/4G/5G) assigns your phone an external IP address, which changes dynamically and is hidden behind the provider's NAT. Direct connection through it is impossible without creating a virtual tunnel.
That is why the key point is the creation of a single virtual space. You need to "trick" the game into thinking that both phones are nearby, even if there are thousands of kilometers between them.
LAN emulation method via a mobile hotspot
The simplest and most reliable method, which does not require installing additional software, is to use access point mode. One of the players acts as a host, creating a local network to which the second participant connects. This is an ideal option for playing at a distance in pairs.
The owner of the room should open the settings of his smartphone and find the section Connections → Mobile hotspot and modem. In the access point menu, it is important to check the settings: sometimes you need to manually set the frequency range or the maximum number of connected devices, although by default the system will configure everything itself.
After activating the hotspot, the second player must find this network in the list of available Wi-Fi connections on his device. The password is usually specified on the screen of the network creator or in the access point settings. Important: traffic in this mode can go through the host’s mobile data, so watch your data consumption.
- 📱 Enable airplane mode on both devices to disable unnecessary radio modules, then enable only Wi-Fi (on the host) and network search (on the client).
- 🔒 Make sure that the access point settings do not have a time limit or traffic limit that could terminate the session.
- 🎮 Launch the game only after fully confirming the connection to your friend’s Wi-Fi network.
This method is good for its stability, but has one significant drawback: the host uses up its mobile traffic. If you have an unlimited tariff, this is not a problem, but otherwise it is worth considering alternatives.
Use this method only with trusted friends, since theoretically the owner of the access point has access to the transmitted data, although this is not critical in encrypted game traffic.
Using local network emulator apps
If creating an access point is impossible or inconvenient, specialized applications come to the rescue that create a virtual local network (VPN) over any Internet connection. The most popular and proven solutions for Android are NetEase Accelerator (in LAN mode) or classic solutions like Hamachi (although on Android it is more difficult) and Radmin VPN.
Let's consider the algorithm of actions using the example of universal LAN emulators, which are often built into gaming utilities or exist as separate lightweight applications. The essence of the method is that both players install the same application, enter the same “room” with a common password, and their phones receive virtual IP addresses in the same subnet.
After successfully connecting in the emulator application, you go to Soul Knight. In the game mode selection menu (local network) you should see the world created by the host. If the room does not appear, try manually entering the IP address of the host, which is displayed in the emulator application.
| Application | Setting up complexity | Stability | Requires Root |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile hot spot | Low | High | No |
| NetEase / Utilities | Average | Average | No |
| Third-party VPN (Lan) | High | Depends on the server | Often yes |
If the connection is constantly interrupted, add the game and the network emulator to the battery exception list.
☑️ Check before starting
Solving problems with visibility and connection
Even with the network configured correctly, the game may not see other devices. This is a common problem on modern versions Androidthat strictly control application permissions. First of all, check that Soul Knight has permission to access the local network.
Go to Settings → Applications → Soul Knight → Permissions. Make sure that the "Local network", "Device nearby" or similar items (depending on the OS version) are activated. Without this, the game simply will not be able to scan ports.
⚠️ Attention: On Android 10 and higher, access to the MAC address and local ports is limited by default. If the game does not see the host, try restarting the application on both devices after connecting to the network.
It is also worth paying attention to the game versions. If one player has version 4.0.0 installed and the other has version 4.0.1, the connection will not be possible. Update the application via Google Play or check that the APK file is up to date if you use alternative stores.
Sometimes manually entering the IP helps. When a host has created a room, its IP address is usually shown in the corner of the screen or in the world creation logic. The second player can press the "Search" button several times or use the manual input function (if available in modifications or through emulators) to enter the address directly.
Optimizing the connection for a game without lags
For a dynamic shooter, which is Soul Knight, ping (latency) is critical. Even if you find a way to connect, the game may be slow. The main reason is an unstable communication channel or network congestion.
If you are using a hotspot, make sure that the host is in an area with reliable reception of the 4G/LTE signal. Switching the phone to "4G Only" mode via the engineering menu (code ##4636## in dialer) can help fix the network and avoid jumps to 3G.
- 📉 Close all background applications that consume traffic: torrents, streaming services, cloud synchronization.
- 📶 The distance between devices when playing via Wi-Fi Direct or a hotspot should not exceed reasonable limits if there is no direct visibility.
- 🔋 Disable the power saving mode on both smartphones, as it can limit the processor frequency and the operation of the Wi-Fi module.
Use the 5 GHz frequency instead 2.4 GHz for Wi-Fi connection significantly reduces the amount of interference from neighboring routers and Bluetooth devices, which directly affects the smoothness of gameplay.
Why does the game crash when connected?
Often the reason lies in the lack of RAM when starting the network module. Try lowering the graphic settings in the game itself before entering the lobby.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play via Bluetooth without Wi-Fi?
No, Soul Knight does not support direct connection via the Bluetooth protocol to transfer game data. A TCP/IP connection is required, which is provided by Wi-Fi or a mobile network.
Do I need the Internet to play on a local network?
The game itself does not require the Internet if you use the hotspot method without access to an external network. However, for the initial launch, checking licenses and synchronizing saves, the cloud may require short-term access.
Why did the character disappear after reconnecting?
If the connection in co-op mode is lost, progress may be reset if the host did not save the game. In Soul Knight, session progress is saved only on the host device before exiting to the main menu.
Does this method work on PC emulators?
Yes, if the emulator (for example, Bluestacks or LDPlayeris configured for Bridge Mode), it will be visible in local network as a separate device. However, Windows firewall settings may block the connection.
The main secret of a stable game is the same versions of the application for all participants and the use of the 5 GHz frequency to minimize interference.