Soulslikes are a much-loved and highly regarded genre, as they're crying out for something to scratch their itch for challenging action games with a focus on exploration, world-building, and variety while they wait for FromSoftware's next release. And we don't blame them, because Soulslikes is one of our favorite titles. It seems almost impossible, especially when done correctly.
Not only should combat feel engaging and rewarding, but boss encounters should be extremely challenging and not feel overly cheap or grueling just because of it. Plus, if your world isn't fun or interesting to explore, it's likely to be discarded relatively quickly. Fortunately, some top-notch releases in the genre have come out this year, making it a must-play!
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is likely the least-known entry on this list, but it's still worth your time if you're a fan of the Soulslike genre, so it's something a bit unique to start with. Despite being 2D, this title delivers on all the good points, making it one of the best offerings in the genre this year. From challenging combat to a lovingly interconnected world and a strong focus on exploration, everything you want is here and it's done incredibly well.
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Mandragora offers a solid class-based system, allowing you to prioritize your playstyle while experimenting with different systems and mechanics to get the most out of your build. If you're looking for a more unique take on the Soulslike formula, I can't recommend 2025's hidden gem enough!
P's Lie: Overture
Here are some titles that probably need no introduction if you're a fan of the genre. But Lies of P's Overture expansion pack is absolutely fantastic and deserves a spot on this list, even if it's just DLC. If you enjoyed the base version of the game, experience even more thrilling combat, meaningful exploration, and powerful boss designs with this expansion pack. Just like their base product, Neowiz and Round8 hit it out of the park with this one.
Lies of P came close to being a game that perfectly embodies FromSoftware's atmosphere and core design, and Overture delivers even more. And in some cases, it's even better. If, for whatever reason, you haven't jumped into Lies of P yet, now is a great time to get into it. Because you can play one of the best Soulslikes for tens or even hundreds of hours!
Elden Ring Nightlane
Is it cheating to include Elden Ring Nightreign on this list? Despite being a strange roguelike co-op PvE experience, it still includes all the bells and whistles you'd expect from the base game of Elden Ring, making it a great and refreshing take on an incredibly addictive genre. We were blown away by how much fun Nightreign was, and wasted countless hours playing with our friends as we desperately tried to take down Nightlords and create the perfect build.
Elden Ring Nightreign is one of the best co-op multiplayer experiences we've had in quite some time. This makes sense because our expectations for this game were very low. Still, if you're looking for a Soulslike experience that you can share with friends, there's no denying that Nightreign offers a very satisfying and rewarding experience that makes it a must-play game and one of the best releases of the year!
The First Berserker: Kazan
Then there's The First Berserker: Khazan, one of the best Soulslikes. The game has one of the most rewarding combat systems, featuring some of the most brutal and unforgiving boss encounters that will have you bashing your head against them for hours on end until you're finally defeated. And what's even more impressive is that despite the enormous challenges, it still feels fair and doable. This is a very difficult line to walk.
Overall, The First Berserker: Khazan is first and foremost a Soulslike game for players who love the combat and challenge the genre offers. The world design and exploration is okay, but not the best, which is disappointing. If they had gotten that aspect right, something like Lies of P or some of FromSoftware's work could have easily come along. Nonetheless, they hit every other aspect you could hope for, making them one of the best Soulslikes of 2025!
Wuchang: Fallen Feather
Ah, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is a very interesting Soulslike game released this year, with some of the best world design, as you'll experience a few heart-breaking moments when you open the humble door that takes you back to the beginning of the game. The massive, interconnected world is amazing and thrilling to explore and deconstruct, and the combat offers tremendous potential and variety.
However, unlike The First Berserker: Khazan, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers may be on the slightly easier end, as you can get powerful weapons and build them right out of the gate, allowing you to steamroll early and mid-game bosses. Still, the focus on exploration and storytelling more than makes up for it, offering tons of replayability with numerous endings and a solid New Game Plus that will keep you playing for hours!
AI limitations
Last but not least is the fantastic AI Limit. This is arguably one of the best Soulslikes of the year. It's not a huge game-changer, but it's a no-brainer and solid experience from start to finish. If you want a more scaled-back approach to the genre without trying to spoil you with weird traps or dull, over-tuned bosses, this is the title for you.
AI Limit has a simple design, and we like it that way. It feels like a direct callback to earlier entries in the genre, allowing exploration and combat to speak for themselves. Games like Wuchang have better world design and Khazan has better combat, but AI Limit does an excellent job of providing balance, giving you the best of both worlds. Although it's not extremely challenging or neatly structured, it's still very fun and rewarding and worth your time and attention!
Soulslikes is the perfect balance of difficulty and enjoyment
Want to relax and unwind with Soulslike? Here are some of the best titles that balance the difficulty so you're not too angry!
