Dark Souls is one of the most influential video games of all time, with From Software’s 2011 masterpiece finding its elements used in many other action and role-playing games. Things that use many of the same mechanics, listed below, are collectively known as Shakyamuni:
- Unlockable checkpoints (fire pits)
- Currency (soul) drops on death
- The connected world with locked doors and shortcuts
- Respond to the enemy when dead or at rest
A game that contains these elements, or most of them, has enough in common with the Dark Souls series to be considered Soul-like, and we’ve rounded up eight of the best Soul-like games. especially if you’re looking to be punished. Because of the “breed” in the title, we’ve excluded From Software’s own games from consideration, including all Souls, Bloodborne, Sekiro, and Sekiro games. Elden Ring. Speaking of From Software’s latest masterpiece, be sure to check out our roundup of the best games like Elden Ring to play after visiting Lands Between.
Available for: PlayStation, Xbox, PC
The third Souls-like game from Deck13, The Surge 2 has finally seen the developer hit his stride. With an incredibly creative world connected via freight elevators and other mechanical infrastructure, The Surge 2 completely creates the sense of discovery that From Software does so well, while intelligently innovating. for the gear system by removing the need to “master” in order to improve the damage of different weapons. It also retains the great split-targeting system from the first game, allowing you to focus on dealing more damage to enemies or removing the key armor component so you can improve your stamina. your download.
Available for: PlayStation, Xbox, PC
As an anime inspired Soul with a lot of combat versatility, Code Vein is the perfect choice for anyone who loves Dark Souls but wants to give up dark illusions to become a complete gothic vampire. totally meaningless. As in the Souls series, there’s a ridiculous variety of weapons to choose from, you’ll both swing and rely on vampire abilities to take down the game’s toughest enemies. Much of the challenge isn’t as high as the Souls series, although there are a few key moments where you’ll have to grit your teeth, memorize every boss attack and show them some real vampire power.
Available for: PlayStation and PC
Team Ninja’s second hack (and slash) at the Souls formula doesn’t make for any major changes from the original game, but a hugely important addition: the explosion counter. By using this ability in boss battles, you’ll be able to continuously attack, deliver punitive blows, and cut through defenses like they’re being ignored. Meanwhile, the enemies are also incredibly powerful, including some of the hardest bosses of any Soul type, and just like in the first Nioh, there are plenty of weapons to try. Everything from double-handed katanas to giant daggers is available, and finding your “new favorite” is a near-constant process. You can pick up Nioh 2 on PS4 or on PS5 as part of the Nioh Collection, a collection of both Nioh games with PS5 performance upgrades.
Available for: PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC
Ashen is an air and soul-like Souls that won’t take 100 hours to complete, Ashen is an interesting soul-like Souls in that it clearly looks like it was inspired by From Software’s world-building as well as its structure. The scenery is desolate and cold as if you wanted to gone, and the enemy is ready to expedite your exit. Despite missing some of the Souls game’s memorable locations and having some ridiculous difficulty scores, Ashen is absolutely worth playing. It’s also available on practically every platform, including the Nintendo Switch, so you can put your butt in the toilet before going back to kicking back in the chair.
Available for: PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC
As one of the first games to take the Dark Souls formula and port it to 2D, Salt and Sanctuary nailed the somber, unappealing tone to its inspiration but did so through a style significantly different art. This isn’t just a piece of pixel art from Dark Souls, but instead an animated version that looks like a Flash cartoon from 2002 – and we mean it in a good way. It’s filled with secrets and insanely difficult bosses, and while it sometimes has some spikes in difficulty even From Software would suspect, Salt and Sanctuary is one of the best Souls titles ever. create. That’s especially impressive considering the vast majority of games are made by just a few people.
Available for: PlayStation, Xbox, PC
A slightly surprising Soul-like game that plays a bit more loosely with the rules of the subgenre than some of the others on this list, Star Was Jedi: Fallen Order proved that both Star Wars and the like like how flexible the Soul can be. Set shortly after the events of Revenge of the Sith, the game features a steady growth in the strength of your force as you gradually unlock new attacks and new lightsaber configurations. Battles often involve dodging, attacking, and counter-attacking, and its relatively low difficulty compared to Dark Souls makes it a great entry point.
Available for: PlayStation, Xbox, PC
After injecting some Souls elements into Darksiders 3 uncooked, Gunfire Games took a significantly different approach to Remnant: From The Ashes. Focusing primarily on third-person shooters, Remnant: From The Ashes uses procedurally generated elements and cooperative multiplayer, though it’s also fully playable as a single-player experience. play. Nature-themed enemies, many of which deal amazing damage, making it quite challenging, especially if you’re used to the “dodge, attack, dodge” routines of the other Spirit Likes . However, you will find the structure very familiar, with lots of hidden nooks and crannies, and also often with enemies.
Available for: PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC
An unsettling 2D side-scroller that just like Souls features brutal enemies and even more brutal platformers, Blasphemous isn’t disruptive. One misstep and you could fall in love with all the resources you need to level up, though the combinations you’ll learn along the way will help with some of the toughest moments. There’s also a pick and choose upgrade system that enhances abilities and stats through equipped items, allowing you to build a character that suits the way you play. It’s certainly not like the level of freedom you get in Elden Ring or a game like Nioh 2, but it makes the repeats very engaging.
