Soulslike games have become some of the most exciting and challenging experiences in gaming. They test your patience, reward your skill, and make every victory feel earned. Whether you enjoy tough boss fights, deep combat systems, or exploring mysterious worlds, these games offer unforgettable moments. In this list, we’ve picked the 15 best Soulslike games of all time, each one unique, fun in its own way, and definitely worth trying if you like a good challenge.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Every gamer should try Sekiro. The game is small in size, can be played on a low-end PC without any problem, offers great gameplay, and is free of unnecessary elements. It is fun and stylish, but surprisingly predictable and not so tough. The combination of combat arts and movement is great. It’s fast, responsive, and unbelievably smooth. The 15GB game world is large and beautifully crafted. People really think that the game is difficult. But as soon as you manage to deflect, dodge, and block, the entire combat system is easy to play.
Nioh 2
Nioh 2 has all the good parts of the original game and raises them to the next level. There is a good amount of content, and only a small part of it feels like a repetition. What really brings the game to life is the fighting. When you have mastered its systems, ki management, stance switching, burst counters, and yokai abilities, it no longer feels like a slow, Souls-like game; instead, it is a full-on character action game. If you like combat, big build sets, and hundreds of hours of development, Nioh 2 is one of the games you can play.
Elden Ring
The game, instead of making you learn a hundred skills at once, gives you the opportunity to sharpen your skill with one weapon only: its timing, reach, speed, and flow in combos. Numerous weapon types allow you to create a character that totally matches your personality. The environment is breathtaking and enigmatic, offering astonishing views and interesting, unforgettable creatures. Don’t expect any guidance in the game. There are no pointers, no comfort, and the plot is hidden in item descriptions and ambiguous talks.
You may find yourself killed by ordinary enemies, the dungeons may seem tough, and the bosses may be testing your endurance. But knowing how they move and finally defeating them is extremely rewarding. If you like challenge and exploration with very limited guidance, this is one of the most satisfying games you can play. However, if you are looking for a relaxed story-focused experience, it will probably feel like a grind instead.
Lies of P
Lies of P is truly amazing. The Soulslike genre is difficult to perfect, but this one does it really well by getting that FromSoftware rhythm without sounding like a cheap copy. The fighting is enjoyable and fair, the levels are great, and the bosses have that nice mix of difficult but not too tough. It has its own personality as well, particularly through the weapon + handle system. You are allowed to combine the parts in any way you like to create all sorts of builds, and the Legion Arms bring even more variety with their special powers. There is a lot of space for experimentation.
The music and the feeling of the game also make a good impression. The central hotel is stunning, and the idea of locating records for playing there is a small but very delightful touch. All in all, the game is polished, fashionable, and heartwarming. If you like Souls games and want something that is both familiar and still different, then Lies of P is a must-play.
Bloodborne
Bloodborne is hard from the moment you start playing, yet if you endure the difficult first hours, it will be, in fact, one of the most satisfying games you could ever play. A number of gamers do not go through the whole thing at first. In the beginning, locations are tough, the opponents are very active, and the game provides very few instructions. But the moment the fighting “goes off”, it is very difficult to quit playing.
You will feel that the tight, compact level design is incredible to explore, the unparalleled atmosphere, and the tough yet instructive bosses who help you to get better. It can be a frustrating experience at times, but it is also extremely rewarding. A lot of gamers who began with Elden Ring or other Souls games later on return to Bloodborne, and they end up loving it even more.
If you are one of those players who like difficult games, learning patterns, and improving by repetition, then Bloodborne is definitely worth it. It is the DLC that makes it even better. It does not play smoothly at the moment, but the experience is still something you will never forget.
Dark Souls 3
The game design is less complicated, the bosses are slightly easier, and the combats are nice once you know the patterns. Its design may seem different from Elden Ring’s open world, but it has a highly effective way of presenting the game.
If you find yourself in trouble with a boss, do not give up; change weapons, use different items, and continue to observe the moves. As determination is the only way to win, and every win will feel like a hard-fought one.
It is not as free or adaptable as Elden Ring, but the bosses, locations, and general timing have made it one of the best FromSoftware games. It can be difficult at times, but this should not to be skipped. A tough but rewarding experience to train up for the Elden Ring players.
Nioh 1
Nioh offers combat which ranks among the most rewarding in the game world, and it is quick, it is rich in depth, and it has many options available. The game speed is that of Ninja Gaiden, and the player has to keep an eye on stamina at the same time. On top of this everything in the game, including builds, characters, and skills, is for the player to explore. The more you look into the systems, the more the game becomes open to you, and the more it is exciting to play.
The narrative is not the most powerful; some features (e.g. spells) are not well explained, but still, the depth, the replayability, and the content quantity can easily avoid this drawback. If your preference is for fighting as the main gameplay with a lot of customisation, then this game series is definitely worth your time.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
The fighting system combines hack-and-slash and Soulslike mechanics, and in the end, it feels great after you are used to it. The different movements styles are so smooth, and the process of getting the better gear is not too difficult. The game’s combat system is full of variety: combination attacks, enhanced strikes, kung fu, sorcery, celestial creatures, and a bunch of items.
The narrative is okay, nothing thrilling though, and the number of enemies is small, which is why the campaign loses its appeal in terms of complexity as time goes by. When your character is powerful, the game gets really easy, and the narrative is not engaging enough to support the overall experience.
From a visual point of view, the game is appealing, perhaps not the best among the competitors, but still very solid. If fast-paced combat is your thing and you don’t have a problem with some imprecise timing, then give it a try.
Remnant 2
The secrets and puzzles are great, the best ones in any non-puzzle game for sure. Bosses are a big plus compared to the first game, but there are only a couple of downsides. The customisation is huge, there are many different weapons, and the surveying of the area is always rewarding. The vertical movement and the mini-map are also nice enhancements.
The world randomisation is weaker than in the first instalment, with far less in the way of layout changes. The performance has been poor ever since the game was launched. The new pseudo-realistic art style has made things less visible and taken away the first game’s charm. The variety of enemies has decreased notably; most of the enemies are easy to take out and a bit boring to fight. The buildcrafting has been scaled down.
So, traits, consumables, scrap, and armour are not as rich as they were in the first game. You do not have much money, the levelling up process feels slow, and at the higher levels, the enemies are tougher and harder to kill. Co-op play still suffers from lag issues, and the plot is very forgettable. It is a nice game, especially for someone who has never played it before.
The Surge 2
The Surge 2 seems like a completely different game. The vibe completely changes from the gross science fiction horror to something that is almost playful at times. One moment you are in a nightclub, and the very next moment you are ripping off the head of a crazy guy. It is strange and shocking. The creators gave up on world-making a bit. The first game audiologs contributed to the plot and atmosphere; in this case, they are mostly perceived as unnecessary collectables, and some are even a bit ridiculous. The levels are more extensive, and there is a lot of space, but there are more shortcuts than one would like.
Every location has so many parts that loop back in on themselves that, rather than making things easier, it becomes confusing. There are more weapons, improved hitboxes, and a lot of moves, not to mention the new directional parry, which is great.
The only downside is that the new gun enemies are horrible and shoot from all over the place. Some aspects are surely upgrades: variety in visuals, world changes linked to plot progression, and improved comprehension. The game is good and worth playing, but it doesn’t reach the same heights as The Surge 1.
Nine Sols
The combat is the highlight of the game: it is fast, it looks good, and it is built around a very interesting parry system that gives a lot of satisfaction. The boss fights are awesome, and the last boss fight is one of the best 2D fights. The story is more straightforward than that of Souls-style games, but still, it is rich in worldbuilding.
From a visual point of view, the settings are stunning, just make sure to consider that there is more blood and violence. Backtracking is not that big of a thing, and the map feature is your ally to keep you updated on the collectables that you have not got yet.
The only problem is the Jade upgrade system, which is backloaded; thus, you will be sticking to the same setups till late in the game. It was not marketed strongly at launch, but this one is undoubtedly a hidden gem. If you are into tough-but-fair boss fights, solid gameplay, and a world ready for exploration, Nine Sols is definitely worth trying.
Another Crab’s Treasure
Yet Another Crab’s Treasure is a clear statement that the Soulslike genre doesn’t have to be limited to dark and grim settings. The flashy undersea world, silly characters, and the ever-changing shell of the player create a good mood and make it fresher than ever. Among others, the fighting is all right, the enemies are great, and the hook-like movement is like kids playing. With its help options, it is also among the most beginner-friendly Soulslikes.
It is not the most innovative game, but it has its share of bugs and rough edges; however, the charm, creativity and overall fun factor more than balance it off. Whether you are a newbie or a pro, this is an underwater odyssey that you can’t just miss.
Code Vein
The world is beautiful, the soundtrack is awe-inspiring, and the story narrated through idyllic memory sequences is too good. The versatile class system is among the most excellent aspects of the game. You are free to change “blood codes” at any point, work with different skills, and create a character that truly suits you without the fear of ruining your character. Opening up the game world transforms the combat into a hack-and-slash-like experience.
The level design is quirky, and the bosses are good, even if they come across as a little different from typical Souls encounters. Your AI partner is unexpectedly good and not an irritant at all, thereby making exploration less tiring.
And yes, the character customizer is the best. In general, Code Vein is very much a Souls-like game but with JRPG storytelling, emotional characters, and a superb soundtrack. It is not flawless, but it is one of a kind, captivating, and definitely worth playing if you have any doubt.
Mortal Shell
Mortal Shell is a game that carries some brilliant ideas with it, but it’s not an easy task at all to get the whole package. The fights are heavy. Besides, the first thing that one learns about each enemy is their timing; hence, every fight, little by little, turns into the same one: dodge, hit once, back off, and repeat. The hardening technique, which in the beginning is impressive, eventually turns out to be a simple button that makes the game less tense than it should be.
Bosses are not bad, and they do give you that mid-range FromSoft vibe, but, nevertheless, many are simply too tanky, and some do take too long. There is an insufficient level of design, and the gloomy atmosphere is nice, but all areas are more or less the same. There is a great chance that you’ll get lost in the process of exploring. Shell or weapons swapping is so difficult that you might as well not do it and just stick with one setup for the entire game.
Disappointment comes in the form of the plot, which is virtually nonexistent. It’s all, for the most part, vague, cryptic dialogues with nothing really significant at the end, and the twist involving the final boss is very clear from the beginning. However, the defects the game still has a strong base and can be amusing for a brief old-fashioned Soulslike fix. The experience will neither be amazing nor terrible, but simply worth trying if you are in the mood for something light in the genre.
Hollow Knight Silksong
Silksong does retain the difficult combat characteristic of the original game, but, at the same time, they have placed it next to the bosses on benches for the player’s convenience, and the players can learn enemy moves without being a genius. Flying foes may be quite annoying, especially at the beginning, but the player is given the means and upgrades to deal with them. Most of the time, resource management is on the fair side.
The controls feel as if they were cutting more tightly and precisely than before, and the combat can be rated amongst the best in the 2D action genre. If you were a fan of the first Hollow Knight, you will definitely find this one a must-have. In the case of newcomers, a tough but rewarding journey lies ahead.
