2026 is already shaping up to be a phenomenal year for video games, especially for the Soulslike genre. With the recent release of Code Vein 2 and Nioh 3, fans are eagerly waiting for their next fix of fighting against formidable bosses and overcoming great challenges.
After looking through all Soulslikes slated for this year, I have concluded that there are six highly anticipated Soulslikes you need to keep on your radar. And before we discuss them, I want to make it clear that Phantom Blade Zero is not on the list, as the devs have confirmed it is not a Soulslike.
Without further ado, let’s discuss the top six most anticipated Soulslikes for 2026. Whether you are a longtime fan of the genre or are interested in giving it a try for the first time, we have some great picks for you here.
6
Mortal Shell 2
Harden Your Shell
The original Mortal Shell is a cult classic, known for its unique “Shell” mechanic, which can be compared to a typical class system.
However, what makes this mechanic different is the fact that you gain shells from defeated enemies, absorbing their abilities and traits, changing your playstyle and stats in the process. In other words, you took on the role of defeated enemies, which is a really cool concept and something that we never really see in the Soulslike genre.
Mortal Shell 2, the long-awaited sequel, is looking to stick to this system, but make everything else bigger and better. Simply by watching the reveal trailer of the sequel, you can tell the combat has been amped up to 11, animations have been overhauled, and the general flow of the game is faster and more aggressive.
It looks fantastic. Additionally, Cold Symmetry has revealed that Mortal Shell 2 will include firearms and a more diverse array of weaponry, addressing one of the major complaints of fans of the original.
5
Valor Mortis
A New Perspective
Valor Mortis is another Soulslike to keep an eye on in 2026, as it’s doing something completely unique compared to other games in the genre – going first person.
Created by the developers behind Ghost Runner, Valor Mortis puts players in the shoes of a resurrected soldier named William, as he traverses an alternate 19th-century Napoleonic Europe on a quest to stop a plague. If that plot isn’t enough to draw you in, the combat sure will, as it looks to be a great mix of fast-paced action and technical, methodical gameplay.
The Soulslike genre has definitely become oversaturated with the number of titles trying to replicate the famous Dark Souls series, so it’s nice to see a game try to mix things up and change perspectives.
Having the entire game in first-person is a great way to bring those tired of Soulslikes back to the genre, since it will have a different feel while still delivering the challenge fans of the genre have come to know and love. Previews of the game have been positive, too, making it highly anticipated.
4
Beast of Reincarnation
This Isn’t Pokemon
One of the most anticipated Soulslikes of 2026 is Beast of Reincarnation, developed by Game Freak. Yes, you read that right.
The developer known for Pokémon games is switching things up and creating a high-quality Soulslike with beautiful graphics, intense combat, and deep character customization for players to engage with.
Everything shown for Beast of Reincarnation has not disappointed, and the good news is that we have an official release date. Beasts of Reincarnation releases on August 4th, 2026.
The coolest thing about Beast of Reincarnation is its take on the Soulslike combat. Not only is it going to have the genre trope of needing to read enemy attack patterns, but it’s adding a turn-based aspect to it, where time slows down, and you can select abilities.
This system can be compared to the ATB mechanic in the Final Fantasy 7 remakes, which it is clearly inspired by. Seeing this implemented in a Soulslike is something the community has never seen before, so let’s hope Game Freak pulls it off.
3
Lords of the Fallen 2
A More Ambitious Sequel
While 2023’s Lords of the Fallen was loved by many, it didn’t live up to the hype for many Soulslike veterans. It had some issues at launch, mainly in performance, but beneath its shortcomings, it was a great Soulslike with a ton of potential.
Hexworks has taken a lot of notes from community feedback, and from what we have seen so far for Lords of the Fallen 2, the sequel is shaping up to be something truly special.
With a revamped combat system, areas drenched in atmosphere, and some of the coolest looking enemy designs in the genre, Lords of the Fallen 2 is looking to make a name for itself in 2026.
If you’re one of the many looking forward to this game, I highly recommend checking out the developer’s YouTube series, “Lifting the Veil,” where the creators go into detail about what to expect in the sequel. It’s very interesting and a great way to get even more hyped for its launch.
2
Hollow Knight Silksong: Sea of Sorrow
More Silksong, Please
It took a long time to finally get Hollow Knight Silksong, being announced almost over 6 years ago, but there is no question that it was worth the wait.
It took everything that made the original Hollow Knight so great and improved upon it in almost every way, resulting in one of the best Soulslikes in recent memory. Not only is it one of the best Soulslikes, it’s also one of the best Metroidvanias and 2D platformers available on the market.
In classic Team Cherry fashion, the developers are hard at work for the DLC, Sea of Sorrow. While there’s not much information available for the DLC to Silksong, it’s safe to assume that it will be amazing, just like the base game.
If Team Cherry’s previous DLCs are anything to go by, we can expect a whole new map to explore with brand new areas, new bosses, hidden secrets, and a ton of lore to uncover. There’s no question that Hollow Knight Silksong: Sea of Sorrow is one of the most anticipated Soulslikes of 2026, simply because it’s more Hollow Knight.
1
The Duskbloods
FromSoftware’s Next Creation
There’s not much information out there about FromSoftware’s latest title, except for the fact that it’s a PvPvE game with Hidetaka Miyazaki at the helm.
A new game created by FromSoftware is one thing, but having the legendary creator behind it, who is famously known for Dark Souls and Elden Ring, instantly makes it one of the most anticipated Soulslikes of 2026. This guy simply doesn’t miss, making fans have high hopes for The Duskbloods.
Unfortunately, there’s no release date for The Duskbloods, but it has been confirmed numerous times that it will release sometime in 2026, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2.
All we have at the moment is the reveal trailer, which doesn’t show much beyond classic FromSoftware art design, interesting-looking monsters, and a map that looks fairly large. Even though it’s not much, everything about The Duskbloods looks fantastic, and fans can’t wait to see more and get their hands on it sometime this year.
