If you’ve immersed yourself in Elden Ring, Dark Souls, or Bloodborne and found yourself yearning for more, you’re in luck. We’ve meticulously compiled a list of the top Soulslike games designed to satisfy your craving for high-stakes gameplay and enthralling adventures.
The Souls series has transcended its niche status, emerging as a mainstream phenomenon largely due to the success of Elden Ring. This transformation has spawned an entire sub-genre, with various independent developers creating games that echo the mechanics and aesthetics of the Souls franchise.
What distinguishes these Soulslike titles from mere replicas is their unique approach to storytelling, gameplay mechanics, and world-building. While they harness the notoriously punishing difficulty that fans of the genre relish, each game brings original lore and experiences to the table.
Below, we present a curated selection of the finest Soulslike games for you to delve into after completing your adventure through FromSoftware’s catalog. Please note that these titles, while reminiscent of Souls games, are crafted by other developers.
1. Thymesia
Thymesia bears a striking resemblance to Bloodborne, offering its own innovative concepts despite its clear inspirations. While it may not reach the same nightmarish aesthetic that defines FromSoftware’s masterpiece, it delivers a suitable alternative for those eager for a quick fix of dark RPG action.
The game features its own deep lore and world, making exploration worthwhile. Still, it leaves players yearning for a sequel to Bloodborne or a remastered version for the PS5.
2. The Surge / The Surge 2
The Surge series can be best described as Dark Souls meets a robotic future. The first game lays the groundwork, while its sequel truly perfects the formula, presenting a unique, high-tech twist on familiar Souls mechanics.
Players are rewarded with an abundance of loot, enabling continuous upgrades that ultimately transform them into formidable robotic warriors.
3. Steelrising
Set during the tumultuous French Revolution, Steelrising presents a compelling narrative where the king employs eerie clockwork automatons to suppress dissent. As chaos ensues, the player, embodying the self-aware robot Aegis, fights to avert disaster and save both humanity and her kind.
Though the combat may become repetitive, the game’s intriguing premise and setting certainly make it noteworthy.
4. Mortal Shell
Drawing heavy influence from the Dark Souls trilogy, Mortal Shell immerses players in a dark, atmospheric world filled with despair and hardship. With a focus on environmental storytelling, the game is beckoning to those willing to explore its hauntingly detailed realms.
Mortal Shell is also available on Xbox Game Pass, making it an essential play for anyone who relishes intense challenges and rich lore.
5. Lords of the Fallen
As one of the pioneering Soulslike games, Lords of the Fallen continues to stand out with a distinct risk-reward mechanic. Players are encouraged to venture further into danger, with a reboot/sequel that has already garnered acclaim within the genre.
6. Code Vein
In Code Vein, players inhabit the role of stylized vampires navigating a post-apocalyptic landscape. This vibrant title embraces its Soulslike roots while introducing fresh gameplay mechanics that are sure to captivate both veterans and newcomers.
While multiplayer elements are absent, the game pairs the protagonist with a companion, striking a balance between challenge and enjoyment.
7. Nioh / Nioh 2
Often hailed as the “Samurai Souls,”Nioh is an exemplary tribute to FromSoftware’s craftsmanship. Developed by Team Ninja, this series takes players on a journey through 17th-century Japan, where they combat demons (Yokai) in a rich historical context.
The combat system is remarkably deep, featuring the innovative Ki mechanic that enhances player engagement. Nioh 2 expands on its predecessor’s framework, offering players the opportunity to control a Yokai amidst a tempest of supernatural foes.
8. Lies of P
Lies of P presents a unique blend of Soulslike mechanics and a reimagined dark tale of Pinocchio. As the puppet navigates a chaotic world filled with mechanical adversaries, players must balance honesty and deceit as they strive for the ultimate goal of becoming human.
Despite its unconventional premise, Lies of P successfully merges diverse inspirations, standing strong among its contemporaries like Nioh and the upcoming Lords of the Fallen (2024).
With this comprehensive overview, explore the best Soulslike titles available and find your next immersive adventure.
Leave a Reply