Elden Ring Soulslike games do not count dark soul. It is the largest in both popularity and size. Although it doesn't represent the genre's first attempt at open world design (reconsideration It won by four years.) FromSoftware's masterpiece showed that the formula could be converted to this format without reducing its advantages. The base game is very long, and doesn't take into account the possibility of replayability, with a variety of builds to suit different play styles. Even if I tried playing Elden Ring You'll still find new ways to enjoy it today, following its release in 2022. brutally difficult “Shadows of Erdtree” expansion pack or night lane Standalone spin-off.
Still, there will come a time when the urge to escape The Lands Between and travel to new realms becomes irresistible, and there are roughly a billion Souls-like games that will satisfy that desire. Subgenres are a big part of the action RPG space these days, and you'll be spoiled for choice. So, let's simplify the process and highlight a few games. Elden Ring Fans should try it. The goal is not promotion Similar Soullike games It's not a title that strictly adheres to the FromSoftware blueprint, but rather builds on that foundation to create something most unique.
I've included both well-known and obscure titles in the hope that the articles will contain at least one new recommendation for most people. The former is for those on the fence, and the latter is for Soulslike veterans looking for something they might have missed.
And I was debating whether to include it or not. Immortal: UnchainedIn the end, I decided against it. The game's focus on third-person shooter gameplay makes it brutally difficult and quite unique. remainder stratagem. However, the edges are too rough for a full recommendation. Still, if you're craving a Soulslike shooter, take a look.
The First Berserker: Kazan
Extremely difficult and fast-paced, Souls-like games are all about combat.
Although Souls-like games are common these days, the genre is still very niche, with only about three to four games a year capturing the public zeitgeist and becoming a mainstay of online discourse for a while. The First Berserker: Kazan It will be remembered as one of the biggest and best Soulslikes of 2025, but that doesn't mean it should be recommended to just about everyone. Neople's efforts are focused entirely on combat and boss fights, and the game doesn't pull any punches at any point. Navigation is minimal and fairly uninteresting, so unless you're particularly craving a Metroidvania-like design, Elden Ringopen personality, Kazan It won't satisfy you.
now, KazanThe core combat of is not much different from: dark soul Or especially, sekiroHowever, its focus on aggressive action, perfect defense, and brutal attacks sets it apart from the crowd. unequal Elden RingBecause Khazan is a fixed protagonist who wields three weapon types: Dual Wield, Spear, and Greatsword, you're not given free rein to create completely different builds. All three classes feel quite different from each other, so it's a good idea to utilize all of them during the campaign (rather than sticking to just one).
nio 2
Team Ninja's unique spin on the Soulslike formula
Full Disclaimer; nio 2 Next up is my favorite Soulslike. BloodborneSo this recommendation may be slightly biased. However, in pure combat terms, a strong argument can be made: nio 2 It represents the high point of the genre. Elden Ring. All of Team Ninja's efforts feature top-notch gameplay systems that are somewhat similar to each other, but this release combines them in the most satisfying and complete way.
There are so many mechanics and tools at your disposal, from cool and varied burst counters to a variety of Yokai skills and weapon types. Despite this, they never feel tiring, as they're built around solid combat that involves reading enemy movements and timing your attacks. The core formula is pure Soulslike, everything else just improves. nio 2 To extreme heights. The game is also packed with content. Especially if you choose the full version that comes with DLC (it's 100% worth it). The levels are linear and mission-based, which is never a bad thing.
there is no light
Dark and soulful 2D oozing style and horror
Soulslikes have become a major part of the game release cycle, with the sheer volume of 2D indie projects outstripping the number of full-fledged 3D games. Obviously, if you're completely against the idea of playing in this dimension, there's nothing I can say that will make you want to choose it. there is no light Or until the next recommendation – feel free to skip ahead. However, if you enjoy: blasphemousYou'll definitely want to check out Zelart's 2022 title, which features some of the coolest pixel art in the genre. Somehow, the game looks beautiful while bringing to life an ugly, nightmarish hellscape.
This premise is fairly unique for Soulslike. It involves a father trying to save his child from a cruel end, adding the traditional personal stakes that these games usually lack. For battle, there is no light It's an absolute delight, perfectly combining style, depth and challenge. You have four different weapons at your disposal, and you'll need to switch between them regularly to use your skills and adapt to your enemies. The skills are incredibly flashy and cool, and well-balanced since activating them renders your weapon inaccessible for a while. So you have to time your electric blasts wisely.
dark devotion
Classic Soulslike combat mixed with roguelite progression
The second and final 2D Soulslike featured in this article is dark devotion It seems like it has been largely forgotten since its debut in 2019, which is a shame because there is so much to enjoy. Before I go any further, I have to admit that the core gameplay barely meets the “unique combat” criteria. dark soul Reconstructed to fit the 2D plane as much as possible. dark devotion It was relatively unique for its time because it came out at a time when the market wasn't crowded with such projects. More importantly, the combat feels good, at least if you like the basic Souls rhythm. Movement and attacks feel heavy, but you can avoid this by focusing on faster weapon types.
dark devotion's unique voice comes from a progression structure that directly affects gameplay. Essentially, this is a roguelite where you start at the base hub after being defeated, losing almost all of your items and having to salvage your weapons and armor. There are permanent upgrades you can rely on for future launches, but they're generally not best-in-class. unequal dead cells' We use procedural generation to create a new level for each run. dark devotion It has a static map that doesn't change, making it more consistent with traditional Soulslike.
Absolver
Soullike fused with fighting game mechanics
Maybe it's my poor memory, but I think I remember. Absolver That was a pretty big deal in 2017. At the time, we only had a handful of Soulslike games, and those that existed mostly felt like poor man's games. dark soul. When SloClap released a title centered around hand-to-hand combat and inspired by the fighting genre, it redefined Soulslikes as something more than just a game that copied FromSoftware's homework. Even after almost 10 years, Absolver It's a unique experience that's a must-play not only for Soulslike fans, but also for players who love SloClap. shifu.
Now let me tell you that the main selling point is PvP. This makes sense, considering that this game is also a fighting game. The online scene isn't particularly active these days, so don't be particularly picky about that factor. in other words, Absolver There's a solid single-player campaign that lets you explore a very cool world while taking on plenty of difficult boss fights. These days, it's a game that goes on sale often, so it's a game worth purchasing just for the solo content alone.
AI limitations
Soullike, which overtakes stamina in favor of something different.
Launching near you The First Berserker: Kazan, AI limitations It's a release that's been completely overshadowed by its larger contemporaries, but is also strangely complementary. while Kazan It shines in its aggressive and frenetic gameplay. AI limitations It excels at complex world design, challenging but mostly fair fights, and novel twists on combat. The basic gameplay loop is fairly typical Soulslike, but AI limitations We have an amazing variety of innovative ideas. Instead of stamina, the game uses a sync speed meter that increases when you attack or perform other actions to improve your combat effectiveness. The system creates a rhythm that reflects the flow of battle, continually rewarding or punishing performance.
Beyond sync speed, AI limitations There are a few other novelties as well. First of all, you must equip a device such as a counter or a shield, and you cannot equip both devices at the same time. So you have to choose your lane when taking on bosses, which adds another element of strategy. The game also loves flashy spells and weapon skills.
