When Demon’s Souls launched back in 2009, no one knew it would give birth to an entire genre. Nor did I think I’d dive headfirst into this new genre, especially after being abused by the aforementioned game. Yet, here we are. These days, the term “Soulslike” carries some serious weight. It means brutal combat, tight controls, intricate world design, and an unwavering respect for the player’s intelligence (and patience). But let’s be honest — not every game that tries to pull this off sticks the landing.
I’ve played just about every Soulslike under the sun. After countless deaths, moments of triumph, and more than a few rage quits and maybe a smashed controller or two, I’ve put together my personal list of some of the best Soulslike games you can play right now. And believe it, this was hard to do, and I swore I’d never do a list like this, just because I’m constantly going back and forth. Let’s see if you agree with me or not.
Elden Ring & Shadow of the Erdtree
If you know me, then you know this game is no surprise here. Elden Ring redefined the genre by taking it open-world without losing the precision and danger that defines a Soulslike. It also happens to be one of my favorite games, period — I own multiple copies and have clocked over 2000 hours across all platforms.
Limgrave, Caelid, the Altus Plateau — each zone is dripping with dread, wonder, and endless challenges. The freedom to choose your own path, paired with FromSoftware’s unparalleled world-building, makes Elden Ring not just one of the best Soulslikes, but one of the best games of all time. And with expansions like Shadow of the Erdtree and Nightreign, it keeps evolving, giving veterans and newcomers alike more reasons to dive back in. Few games manage to feel this vast and this personal at the same time.
Check out our Elden Ring review.
Available to play on: PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Elden Ring Nightreign
Just when you think you’ve seen everything Elden Ring has to offer, along comes Nightreign — and it might just be one of FromSoftware’s best releases yet. Rather than simply adding more dungeons or another zone similar to what was done with Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree, Nightreign is a standalone spin-off that reimagines the experience through a multiplayer (or singleplayer) roguelite-inspired structure that completely changes how you approach combat, progression, and exploration.
Every run through the Realm of Night feels tense and rewarding. You’ll adapt on the fly, experiment with new builds, and face brutal new enemies that can surprise even veteran players. And with unique weapons, art direction that leans heavily into gothic horror, and some of the best boss fights FromSoftware has ever crafted, Nightreign proves that Elden Ring still has plenty of life left in it.
If you’re looking for a fresh Soulslike challenge — or a new way to fall back in love with Elden Ring — Nightreign is absolutely essential.
Check out our Elden Ring Nightreign review.
Available to play on: PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Bloodborne
Atmosphere is everything, and no game delivers it better than Bloodborne, even after all this time. Yharnam’s gothic nightmare is etched into the minds of anyone who’s dared to wander its rain-slicked streets. The city looms with towering, decaying cathedrals, winding alleyways, and grotesque monstrosities lurking in the shadows, waiting to tear you apart. Every corner feels suffocating, as if the city itself is alive and plotting your demise.
Faster-paced than your typical Souls game, Bloodborne demands an aggressive, relentless approach. There’s no hiding behind shields or playing it safe. You are either the hunter or the hunted. The Regain system rewards boldness, forcing you to strike back immediately or risk being overwhelmed. Every victory is hard-earned, a testament to your skill and nerve, while every defeat drives home a brutal lesson in survival. The game’s eerie, oppressive tone, paired with its breakneck combat, creates an unmatched sense of tension and exhilaration. Even years later, no other Soulslike captures this perfect blend of horror and action. Bloodborne remains a singular, haunting experience that continues to inspire and terrify in equal measure.
It’s still a shame that Bloodborne remains essentially hostage to the PlayStation 4. And no, I’m not just talking about the lack of a PC version — though that stings too. The real disappointment is that even when playing the game on a PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 5 Pro, it still runs at 30 FPS. This game deserves so much more on modern hardware. A proper 60 FPS patch or remaster would breathe new life into one of the best Soulslike experiences ever created.
Check out our Bloodborne review.
Available to play on: PS4, PS5
Demon’s Souls (PS5 Remake)
The game that started it all still holds up, and thanks to Bluepoint Games’ incredible PS5 remake, it looks and plays better than ever. Demon’s Souls laid the foundation for the entire Soulslike genre — brutal combat, haunting world design, and a deep sense of discovery layered with mystery.
Boletaria remains one of the most unforgettable and eerie settings in gaming, with its fog-drenched castles, collapsed bridges, and grotesque, twisted enemies. The slower, more deliberate pace compared to later Souls titles forces you to approach every encounter carefully.
Bluepoint’s remake doesn’t just update the visuals to jaw-dropping levels — it preserves the soul of the original experience, respecting its brutal difficulty and unique atmosphere. Every clang of a sword, every eerie echo in the Nexus, every brutal boss fight hits just as hard, but now with modern polish. Whether you’re a longtime fan revisiting Boletaria or a newcomer curious about where it all began, Demon’s Souls Remake is essential. It’s a living piece of gaming history, and still one of the most rewarding experiences in the genre.
Available to play on: PS5
Dark Souls III
Of course, I couldn’t do a list without Dark Souls III. It’s not only one of my favorite Soulslikes of all time, but also one of those rare games I constantly find myself returning to — even when my backlog is stacked with “must-play” releases. No matter how many times I’ve beaten it (more times than I care to admit), I can always lose hours in its world all over again.
Any serious discussion about Soulslikes has to acknowledge the game that refined and perfected so many of the genre’s defining elements. Dark Souls III takes the lessons of its predecessors — and yes, borrows a bit of Bloodborne’s faster, more responsive combat — to create a masterfully balanced experience. The decaying kingdom of Lothric is a triumph of eerie world design, filled with subtle storytelling and a palpable sense of dread. The return of interconnected level design rewards exploration and reinforces the series’ signature sense of place.
Combat is faster and more fluid than before, keeping every fight thrilling. Meanwhile, the wide array of build options lets players truly express their style, whether you favor brutal strength, swift dexterity, or arcane trickery. Dark Souls III serves as a fitting and definitive conclusion to the original trilogy — and remains one of the best Soulslikes ever made.
Check out our Dark Souls III review.
Available to play on: PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Nioh 2
Team Ninja’s Nioh 2 takes the core structure of a Soulslike and infuses it with deep, loot-driven RPG mechanics and blisteringly fast, technical combat. Where many Soulslikes lean toward slower, more methodical pacing, Nioh 2 rewards aggression, precision, and mastery of its intricate systems. Yokai abilities, a wide array of weapon stances, and an extensive skill tree give you more flexibility and customization than almost any other game in the genre.
The historical-fantasy setting in Sengoku-era Japan is packed with atmosphere, blending real-world figures and mythological creatures in stunning environments. And the boss fights? They are spectacular, often fast and relentless, demanding sharp reflexes and smart builds. If you’re looking for a Soulslike with layers of depth, speed, and a greater sense of spectacle, Nioh 2 delivers an experience that’s both rewarding and brutally addictive.
Available to play on: PS4, PS5, PC
Lies of P & Lies of P: Overture
It may have surprised many, but Lies of P stands tall among its peers. Turning the concept of Pinocchio into a dark, steampunk-inspired Soulslike could have been a disaster, but Neowiz absolutely nailed it. Seriously, it really surprised me, especially for its first go at the genre. The combat is weighty and satisfying, striking that perfect balance between precision and brutality. The world of Krat is gorgeously grim, filled with eerie automata, twisted architecture, and unsettling atmosphere that begs to be explored. The story also takes unexpected and clever turns, keeping you engaged beyond just the next boss fight.
And let’s be honest: for PC gamers still waiting in vain for Bloodborne to make its way off PlayStation, Lies of P finally scratched that long-standing itch. It captures that same gothic tone and aggressive combat style, while still forging its own identity. This is easily one of the freshest Soulslikes in recent memory — and it absolutely deserves your attention. And with the addition of the latest release, Lies of P: Overture, everything that made Lies of P so damned good, is back and better than ever. You should not miss out on this game.
Check out our Lies of P review.
Available to play on: PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Remnant 2
At first glance, Remnant 2 may not look like a traditional Soulslike — after all, you’re wielding guns instead of swords. But beneath the third-person shooter exterior lies a core experience deeply rooted in the Soulslike formula. Methodical, punishing combat. Stamina management. Tight timing. Massive, multi-phase bosses. And of course, that ever-present sense of dread and discovery around every corner.
What sets Remnant 2 apart is how it blends those mechanics with a refreshing twist: dynamic, procedurally generated elements ensure that no two playthroughs feel exactly the same. Each world is a surreal, nightmarish place filled with secrets and surprises. Add in robust character builds, meaningful weapon customization, and seamless co-op options, and you get one of the most inventive Soulslike experiences out there. There are also three great DLCs that were released for the game: The Forgotten Kingdom, The Awakened King, and The Dark Horizon.
If you’re looking for a game that pushes the genre into new territory — and lets you blast nightmarish creatures to pieces while doing it — Remnant 2 is an easy recommendation. It’s proof that the Soulslike spirit can thrive well beyond the traditional sword-and-sorcery mold.
Check out our Remnant II review.
Available to play on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Lords of the Fallen (2023)
The rebooted Lords of the Fallen may have flown under some players’ radar, but it’s a worthy contender in the Soulslike space. Its unique mechanic of shifting between the realms of the living and the dead adds an extra layer of tension to both exploration and combat, forcing you to think about each encounter and environment in new ways. Visually, the game is absolutely stunning, with richly detailed gothic environments and some of the best atmosphere in any recent Soulslike.
While Lords of the Fallen leans heavily into the traditional Soulslike formula, it does so with a level of polish and style that elevates it beyond the original game’s reputation. And yes, the launch was rocky, with plenty of technical issues, especially on PlayStation 5. But to the developer’s credit, those problems have been steadily ironed out through an impressive cadence of patches. Now, the experience feels far more stable and refined. If you’ve already exhausted FromSoftware’s catalog and want something that captures that same dark fantasy vibe with its own twist, Lords of the Fallen is absolutely worth your time.
Check out our Lords of the Fallen (2023) review.
Available to play on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Death’s Door
Death’s Door may look a little different from your typical Soulslike — you’re a tiny crow wielding a sword in an isometric world — but beneath its charming aesthetic lies a game that absolutely captures the genre’s spirit. Tight, deliberate combat rewards patience and precision. Punishing boss encounters demand skill and pattern recognition. And its interconnected world is packed with secrets that beg to be uncovered.
The minimalist storytelling and melancholy atmosphere add surprising emotional weight, turning what could have been a simple indie action game into something far more resonant. The world of Death’s Door is hauntingly beautiful, filled with subtle environmental storytelling and a creeping sense of mystery. Don’t let the isometric perspective fool you — this is a game that will challenge your reflexes, your curiosity, and your perseverance, leaving a lasting impression long after the credits roll.
Honestly, the only thing I don’t like about this game is that there’s no DLC or no mention of a follow-up, which is a shame because this game had captivated me for months. Seriously, this game could really do with more content.
Check out our Death’s Door review.
Available to play on: PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC
Blasphemous 2
If you want a Soulslike that looks like it was carved out of nightmares — and then dipped in pixel art perfection — look no further than Blasphemous 2. While technically a 2D Metroidvania, it channels everything I love about the genre: brutal difficulty, cryptic worldbuilding, and a haunting atmosphere that stays with you long after the credits roll.
Combat is tight and deliberate, with weighty attacks and brutal boss encounters that demand focus and patience. The game’s Spanish Catholic Gothic aesthetic is simply stunning. There’s nothing else quite like it out there. And beneath the beauty lies a game that absolutely does not pull its punches. It’s tough, it’s unforgiving, and yet, it will provide you with hours of fantastic Soulslike gaming.
If you loved Hollow Knight or Death’s Door and want something darker and more challenging, Blasphemous 2 deserves a spot on your radar.
Available to play on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
At first glance, you might not expect Star Wars Jedi: Survivor to play like a Soulslike, but it absolutely does. Stamina-based lightsaber combat, methodical enemy encounters, and meditation points that function like bonfires give the game clear Souls DNA.
Add in rich world design, strong environmental storytelling, and sprawling planets that beg to be explored, and you’ve got one of the most engaging Star Wars games ever made — and arguably one of the best action-adventure experiences in recent memory. It even surpasses its predecessor in scope and polish. Jedi: Survivor serves as a fantastic bridge for players new to the genre or fans seeking a more narrative-driven Soulslike experience. And really, who wouldn’t want to fight like a Jedi with proper Soulslike depth?
Not to mention, Respawn Entertainment has worked out all the performance kinks, which was easily one of the game’s biggest flaws when it was released. Heck, on my beast of PC, that game stuttered and skipped so much that I nearly put down the game, and that would have been a massive mistake.
Check out our Star Wars Jedi: Survivor review.
Available to play on: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Final Thoughts
The Soulslike genre continues to evolve, and that’s great news for those of us who crave the satisfaction of overcoming impossible odds. Each game on this list brings something unique to the table while honoring the core elements that make Soulslikes so addictive: challenging combat, haunting worlds, and the thrill of hard-earned progress.
Whether you’re a seasoned Souls veteran or someone just starting to explore the genre, these games will test your skills, inspire you, and keep you coming back for more. And with titles like Elden Ring: Nightreign, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Remnant 2, and Death’s Door proving that the formula can thrive well beyond the traditional medieval fantasy mold, it’s clear the genre still has plenty of room to grow. With even more Soulslikes on the horizon, there’s never been a better time to be a fan of this brutal, beautiful style of game.
