The Soulslikes genre is now heavily saturated, after a huge influx of developers decided to put their own spin on the FromSoft blueprint. Some Soulslikes that have been released have been absolutely fantastic, while others… they need a little bit of work.
I love the Soulslikes genre and have explored it thoroughly to find ones that stand out from the crowd. Meaning you don’t need to endure typical Souls punishment unless it’s absolutely worth it.
These particular Soulslikes seem a bit rough around the edges to start with, but I promise, they do get better.
7
Mortal Shell
2020 | Playstack | PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Mortal Shell has a fantastically unique concept: you are a husk of a person who survives by moving your essence into another person’s shell.
I will admit, compared to some of the other Soulslikes out there, Mortal Shell can be incredibly punishing. However, once you get the hang of it, everything clicks into place, and you have an enjoyable yet challenging time ahead of you.
The best part is that if you enjoy it, you’ll have a fresh sequel to look forward to, as the game is set to release this year. It’s already shaping up to look spectacular, and I’m excited myself to see what changes they make to the formula to outdo the first game.
6
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers
2025 | 505 Games | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
This game is absolutely beautiful and has a unique take on the Soulslikes genre that makes it a refreshing experience for the player. The Madness system that is introduced adds a new layer of complexity, and in some ways, reminds me of the illness system in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
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If you’re someone who is a fan of Ancient Chinese history, then this may just be the game for you. Not only are there beautiful visuals, but you get to explore China set in the Ming dynasty, with the boss fights inspired by Chinese mythology and fables. Which, I admit, I am a sucker for.
It’s one of the most visually striking Soulslikes that I’ve played in recent years.
5
Lords of the Fallen
2025 | CI Games | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Lords of the Fallen is a bit of a peculiar game. It had a fair amount of issues when it was first released, but the developers have since worked tirelessly to add new quality of life changes to make the game more digestible for the player.
Not only that, but there are a lot of features in Lords of the Fallen in general that make the game stand out from the crowd.
Most soulslikes don’t have you navigate between two planes of existence, which, I personally found, was a bit of a struggle to get to grips with initially. That being said, Lords of the Fallen is an absolutely stunning soulslike and has lots of room for fun once you get to grips with it.
Don’t be afraid to let that sword fly, and make sure to take in the scenery. It’s an overwhelmingly beautiful game, with lots of haunting enemies.
4
Enotria: The Last Song
2024 | Jyamma Games | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Enotria: The Last Song is a very unique soulslike purely based on concept. Set in a bright world inspired by Italian folklore, you get to take on different roles by wearing different masks, all of which have their own strengths and weaknesses.
This allows you to customize your character and choose your play style from over 30 masks available in the game.
I’d be lying if I said Enotria didn’t have a little jankiness. However, in some ways, it adds to the game’s charm. It can be a little tricky to get to grips with the mask system and the skill tree, but patience is key in this game.
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Once you’ve gotten the hang of it, you’re bound to have a great time getting stuck into this sun-kissed world.
3
Steelrising
2022 | Nacon | Xbox Series X|S, PC
Steelrising is another soulslike that has taken a very unique concept and made it stand on its own two feet. While Souls games are often known for being dark and decrepit, much like Enotria, Steelrising is anything but. Instead, this game takes place during the French Revolution.
You get to play as an automaton named Aegis, and it is up to you to fight your way through the streets of Paris to take on the King’s formidable army to try and put a stop to the bloodshed once and for all.
I loved Steelrising for the amount of cool weaponry you get to choose from, and I loved the traversal system throughout the game. While most soulslikes rely on ladders alone, Steelrising offers options like carriages and grapples, making exploration of Paris that much more fun.
2
Nioh
2017 | Koei Tecmo | PlayStation 5, PC
Nioh is a phenomenal game, but you will have to prepare yourself for some intense difficulty. Out of all of the Souls games out there, the Nioh franchise is definitely home to some of the most challenging games and bosses. That said, it’s incredibly rewarding to beat a boss.
As the original game is a bit old, it has some jank, which is why I would personally say it gets better as you progress. Luckily, there is a sequel if you want a more updated experience in the Nioh franchise, but it doesn’t get any less punishing.
If you’re a fan of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice or Ghost of Tsushima, Nioh is a game worth checking out.
1
Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin
2015 | Bandai Namco Entertainment | PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox 360
I know this is a wildly controversial take, but I have a lot of love for Dark Souls 2. The game is janky, for sure, and doesn’t feel like the go-between between the first and third game, but it’s still an outstanding game on its own.
Personally, I prefer to view Dark Souls 2 as its own game, rather than part of the Dark Souls trilogy. As a standalone, the game is much more enjoyable once you get rid of the opinions you were planning on carrying into the game.
Dark Souls 2 has one of my favorite hub spots, too, and I could easily spend hours in Majula just looking at the sun setting and listening to the gentle music.
Admittedly, the saving grace for this game is the DLC, as that is where some of the best boss fights reside. However, there are plenty of enjoyable boss fights and moments in Dark Souls 2, irrespective of the DLC.
