In 2009,FromSoftwarelaunchedDemon’s Souls, and the gaming industry was never the same.FromSoftwarewould refine the unique formula it established inDemon’s Soulsin its subsequent titles, and other developers also took their swing atDemon’s Souls’unique brand of gameplay. The result was the creation of a brand-new genre dubbed Soulslike (or Soulsborne, when referring to FromSoftware-specific titles) that continues to see new entries to this day.
The release ofFromSoftware’sElden Ringearlier this year has inspired many more gamers to seek out Soulslike experiences than ever before, but they may not know where to start. For those curious about the best representations of the genre, here are some of the biggest Soulslike games ranked.
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There are a few caveats to keep in mind with this ranking. Due to the sheer number ofSoulslike gameson the market, this is not a comprehensive list of every single one. Instead, this is a collection of some of the most notable Soulslikes released over the years. Some purists may disagree with a few of these games being considered Soulslikes, whereas others may feel a game should have been included though it was not considered a Soulslike for the purposes of this list. Others may feel as though it’s wrong to label FromSoftware-developed games as “Soulslikes,” but for the sake of simplicity, the term will be applied to the genre as a whole.
S-Tier
Bloodborne -WithDemon’s Soulsand theDark Soulstrilogy, FromSoftware established the Soulslike genre, getting fans used to a style of combat focused primarily on dodging enemy attacks. The more defensive-minded combat found in theSoulsgames is replaced by a much more aggressive fighting style inBloodborne, which along with its embrace ofLovecraftian horror themesgives the game a distinct identity of its own. Often hailed as one of the absolute best video games ever made, it’s no surprise thatBloodborneis one of the absolute best examples of the genre available today.
Dark Souls -While many of its ideas originated inDemon’s Souls, theoriginalDark Soulsgameis really what put the genre on the map and influenced the countless clones that would follow. It’s true that there are certain things about the originalDark Soulsthat haven’t aged well and some of its late-game areas are lackluster, but it is otherwise an unforgettable experience filled with haunting locales and tough-as-nails boss fights that make it impossible to put down.
Dark Souls 3 -Out of all the original trilogyDark Soulsgames,Dark Souls 3is the most polished and has the most quality-of-life features, making it far more accessible than its predecessors. The game serves as an improvement in nearly every area, pushing the genre forward and laying the groundwork for FromSoftware’s subsequent efforts.Dark Souls 3lets players revisit notable locations from the originalDark Soulsgame, and it’s home to some of the franchise’s best bosses, like the incredibly challenging fight againstThe Nameless King.
Elden Ring -WithElden Ring, FromSoftware took the formula it established with the originalDark Soulstrilogy and successfully translated it to an open world setting.Elden Ringhas blown the door wide open for a new kind of open world Soulslike, and it will be exciting to see if other titles follow in its footsteps in the same way they have the originalDark Soulsgames. As one of the highest-rated video games of all time,Elden Ringhas set a new bar for FromSoftware, and it’s firmly established itself as a landmark release.
A-Tier
Dark Souls 2 -While it earned critical acclaim at the time of its release, there is nevertheless some controversy in the community when it comes toDark Souls 2.Dark Souls 2tweaks the game’s movement system and otherwise goes out of its way to make things more difficult, with certain areas standing as some of the most brutal in the entire franchise. Couple this with the fact that players lose chunks of their health when they die, and it’s no surprise that many findDark Souls 2to be an especially frustrating entry in the series. Despite some drawbacks,Dark Souls 2otherwise delivers an engrossing world, classicDark Soulsaction, and the satisfying gameplay that fans have come to expect.
Demon’s Souls -The originalDemon’s Soulsstarted it all, and it holds up surprisingly well to this day. Those that can should opt for playing theDemon’s SoulsPS5 remaketo get the best graphical experience and take advantage of the online multiplayer features, but the game is still a fun challenge on PS3. The lack of bonfire checkpoints and other missing quality of life features may run some fans off, but those that truly giveDemon’s Soulsa chance should have a great time.
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Nioh and Nioh 2 -As far as Soulslike games go, few have come as close to matching the quality of FromSoftware’sDark Soulsseries as Team Ninja’sNioh. The originalNiohis an action-packed samurai game that borrows the best elements from FromSoftware’s titles and combines them with the best of Team Ninja’s games. Team Ninja followed up the originalNiohwithNioh 2, and while it wasn’t quite as well-received as its predecessor, it’s still considered one of the finest Soulslike games available.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice -Some hardcore FromSoftware fans may feel as thoughSekiro: Shadows Die Twicebelongs in the S-Tier category, and while it’s a fantastic game, fans of the genre may not be a fan of some of its changes. While it retains most of the elements that make up a FromSoftware Soulslike,Sekirois all about perfectly-timed parries, resulting in a much different combat experience than fans of FromSoftware’s titles may be used to. It also employs a more linear narrative structure and lacks any online multiplayer features. However, those that manage to master its combat may find it to be the most satisfying game in the entire genre.
B-Tier
Remnant: From the Ashes -It’s safe to say that the vast majority of Soulslike games are primarily focused on melee combat, butRemnant: From the Ashesis another story entirely. InRemnant, melee focus is abandoned in favor of guns, which shakes things up quite a bit.Remnant’s online co-op featuresare great and the game itself is one of the finer non-FromSoftware Soulslikes available, though some were let down by its lackluster loot and story.
Salt and Sanctuary -For the most part, Soulslike games have stuck to the 3D action-adventure design, but there have been some exceptions to that rule, like withSalt and Sanctuary. Essentially a 2D version ofDark Souls,Salt and Sanctuaryearned mostly positive reviews at the time of its release in 2016 and is readily available on most every gaming platform. A sequel,Salt and Sacrifice, launched this year, but was not nearly as well-received.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order-The decision to make a single-playerStar WarsSoulslike was a risky one by Respawn Entertainment and EA, but it seems to have paid off big time.Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Ordermay not have the extreme difficulty as other Soulslike games, but it fully indulges in many other aspects of the genre.
C-Tier
Code Vein -Code Veinhas been described as “animeDark Souls,” and that’s a fairly apt description. Unfortunately,Code Veinfailed to deliver two of the key components of a good Soulslike: an engrossing world to explore and fun boss fights.
Lords of the Fallen-Ever since theDark Soulsseries started taking off in popularity, there have been attempts to deliver similar experiences that are easier and more accessible.Lords of the Fallenis essentially an easier version ofDark Souls, though it had some notable technical problems and by extension of its easier difficulty, many of its boss fights were ultimately underwhelming. It will be interesting to see how theupcomingLords of the Fallensequelfares.
Mortal Shell -Mortal Shellis a game where players explore the world as a fleshly phantom that can take control of corpses and use them to fight enemies in a world that looks as though it was ripped straight from the firstDark Soulsgame. While it’s an interesting concept,Mortal Shellsuffers from a short length and narrow focus compared to other games in the genre.
Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin -Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Originis a bizarre conceptthat looked to marry theFinal Fantasyfranchise with the Soulslike genre to mixed results. The game certainly has its fans, but its story has been heavily criticized and many were unimpressed with the game world.
The Surge and The Surge 2- With most Soulslike games focused on dark fantasy elements, it’s always refreshing when a developer applies the concepts to a different genre entirely.The SurgeandThe Surge 2abandon dark fantasy in favor of sci-fi, with players augmenting their bodies with exoskeletons to even the odds against enemies.The Surgegames suffer from story, pacing, and level design issues, but they certainly have their moments.
D-Tier
Darksiders 3- TheDarksidersfranchise has bounced from one genre to the next. The originalDarksidersfelt like a mishmash ofGod of WarandThe Legend of Zelda, whileDarksiders 2incorporated more open world and RPG elements.Darksiders 3is the franchise’s attempt at the Soulslike genre, and unfortunately, it misses the bar completely. Not quite challenging enough to scratch the Soulslike itch and failing to deliver the kind of puzzles and combat found in previous games,Darksiders 3fails to impress.Darksiders 3also suffered from massive technical problemsat launch, making it one of the worst examples of a Soulslike on the market.
