What Makes a Soulslike
FromSoftware's Dark Souls (2011) defined a template: deliberate combat, punishing death consequences, environmental storytelling through item descriptions, boss encounters as skill tests, and a deep sense of world interconnection. Every game on this list follows that template faithfully while contributing something original.
This ranking weighs accessibility for newcomers, depth for veterans, and the quality of the experience overall.
🥇 1. Elden Ring
Developer: FromSoftware | Price: $59.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4/5, Xbox
Metacritic: 96 | Steam Rating: 90% Very Positive
Steam community consensus: The overwhelming verdict is that Elden Ring is the definitive soulslike — and arguably the best open-world game ever made. Players consistently praise the combination of open-world freedom with tight souls combat, noting that getting stuck never means hitting a dead end. The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC receives near-universal acclaim for extending the experience without padding it. A small contingent finds the late-game difficulty spike disruptive, but most players accept it as part of the genre's appeal.
The best open-world game ever made and the most accessible FromSoftware title. The Lands Between is vast and rewards exploration with constant discovery. Build variety is enormous — strength, dexterity, faith, sorcery, or any hybrid works. Shadow of the Erdtree DLC significantly extends the experience. For newcomers to the genre, the open world means you can always find an alternative path when you're stuck, making it the single best entry point to the soulslike genre.
🥈 2. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Developer: FromSoftware | Price: $59.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox
Metacritic: 91 | Steam Rating: 93% Very Positive
Steam community consensus: The most common arc in Sekiro reviews: "almost quit at Genichiro, couldn't put it down after beating him." Players describe a steep initial wall followed by a revelatory shift in understanding — when the posture system clicks, no combat in any other game feels as satisfying. The proportion of players who returned to update their initial low ratings to five stars is notably high among FromSoftware titles. Veterans of the series widely regard it as the best pure combat experience in the catalog.
The hardest major FromSoftware game and the most technically demanding. Sekiro's posture-break combat system demands perfect parry timing and rhythm — there's no build variety, no leveling away from a hard boss. What it demands is full mechanical mastery. When you achieve it, no combat in any game feels better. GOTY 2019 by universal consensus.
🥉 3. Dark Souls III
Developer: FromSoftware | Price: $39.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox
Metacritic: 89 | Steam Rating: 89% Very Positive
Steam community consensus: Widely regarded as the most polished entry in the original trilogy, with the best overall boss roster in the series. Players who started with Elden Ring and worked backwards consistently describe it as a rewarding evolution in understanding the franchise's roots. The Ringed City DLC receives particular praise as some of the finest content FromSoftware has ever produced. A minority prefers the original Dark Souls's world interconnection, but the boss quality of III is rarely disputed.
The most polished Dark Souls, with the franchise's best boss roster. It's faster-paced than the original, less cryptic than Dark Souls II, and the Ringed City DLC is among the best FromSoftware content ever produced. Best starting point for veterans of action RPGs who want the "classic" Souls experience without the rougher edges of the earlier entries.
4. Lies of P
Developer: Round8 Studio (Neowiz) | Price: $59.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4/5, Xbox (Game Pass)
Metacritic: 80 | Steam Rating: 88% Very Positive
Steam community consensus: Players who came in skeptical of a non-FromSoftware soulslike almost uniformly leave impressed. "Best soulslike not made by FromSoftware" has become the standard community shorthand. The weapon assembly system's depth and the Belle Époque atmosphere are consistently singled out as genuine innovations rather than imitation. The narrative ending and New Game Plus content are praised for adding replayability that many soulslike imitators lack.
The best non-FromSoftware soulslike. Set in a Pinocchio-inspired Belle Époque city, Lies of P's weapon assembly system and guard parry mechanics feel genuinely original rather than derivative. The narrative is surprisingly engaging for the subgenre, and the New Game Plus cycle adds meaningful content. For those who have exhausted FromSoftware's catalog, this is the clear next stop.
5. Bloodborne — PS4/PS5 Exclusive
Developer: FromSoftware | Price: $19.99 (PS Store) | Platforms: PS4/PS5
Metacritic: 92 | Steam Rating: N/A (PS exclusive)
Community consensus: Among soulslike communities, Bloodborne occupies a near-mythical status — frequently cited as the game that would "break all sales records if it ever came to PC." The gothic horror aesthetic combined with Lovecraftian lore creates an atmosphere players describe as unmatched in the genre. The stamina-free, rally-based combat system receives praise for creating a uniquely aggressive play style that no other entry in the genre has replicated. Its PS exclusivity is consistently named the single biggest frustration in soulslike discussions.
The most aggressively unique FromSoftware title. Gothic horror aesthetic, stamina-free aggressive combat, and the Insight system create an experience unlike anything else in the genre. The rally mechanic — regaining health by immediately attacking after being hit — makes every encounter a high-stakes dance rather than a patient standoff. PS-exclusive, which limits accessibility, but if you have a PlayStation, this is non-negotiable.
6. Nioh 2: The Complete Edition
Developer: Team Ninja | Price: $49.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4/5
Metacritic: 88 | Steam Rating: 87% Very Positive
Steam community consensus: The consensus is that Nioh 2 has the highest mechanical ceiling of any soulslike — players who invest in understanding the stance system, ki pulse, and Burst Counter find a combat depth that rivals or exceeds FromSoftware. The initial learning curve is acknowledged as steep, and the loot system can feel overwhelming at first. However, veterans of the subgenre consistently rank it among the finest combat experiences available. The Sengoku-era Japanese setting and yokai mythology are praised as a distinctive identity.
The most mechanically complex soulslike. Nioh 2's stance system, yokai abilities, and Burst Counter create a combat depth that rivals — and in some areas exceeds — FromSoftware's work. The loot system verges on overwhelming initially, but players who invest in understanding it find extraordinary build depth across three DLC campaigns. A must-play for soulslike veterans who want to push their mastery further.
7. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Developer: Respawn Entertainment (EA) | Price: $49.99 | Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Metacritic: 85 | Steam Rating: 84% Very Positive
Steam community consensus: Launch-day PC performance issues dragged early ratings down significantly, but post-patch reviews reflect a substantially improved picture. The settled consensus positions it as the best entry point to the soulslike genre for mainstream players, combining the satisfaction of boss mastery with the Star Wars fantasy. Players consistently praise the lightsaber combat's feel and the significant scope expansion over Fallen Order. A vocal group of soulslike purists notes the forgiving design, but the majority treats the accessibility as a feature.
The most accessible soulslike for mainstream players. Cal Kestis fights with lightsabers across gorgeous Star Wars environments — it's less punishing than FromSoftware titles while preserving meaningful challenge and the satisfaction of boss mastery. The ideal first soulslike for players who want genre depth without the maximum friction. A major scope improvement over Fallen Order, with five combat stances and a more open world structure.
8. Dark Souls Remastered
Developer: FromSoftware / QLOC | Price: $39.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox, Switch
Metacritic: 84 | Steam Rating: 88% Very Positive
Steam community consensus: The prevailing view is that experiencing the original Dark Souls is essential for understanding the genre's DNA, and the Remastered edition is the definitive way to do it. Players debate whether the remaster went far enough in modernizing the experience, but the world design — Undead Burg through Anor Londo — is universally praised as still masterful over a decade later. The restored online functionality is welcomed. Players who started with Elden Ring and worked back frequently describe it as a profound act of archaeology.
The game that defined the entire genre. Dark Souls Remastered delivers the original 2011 masterwork with improved resolution and a stable frame rate. The intricately interconnected world of Lordran remains breathtaking in its design — the way Firelink Shrine connects to every area of the game without a single loading screen is still a high-water mark for world design. Essential for understanding where everything came from, and still a compelling experience in its own right.
9. Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
Developer: FromSoftware | Price: $59.99 | Platforms: PC, PS4/5, Xbox
Metacritic: 87 | Steam Rating: 89% Very Positive
Steam community consensus: Players consistently describe it as "the soulslike formula perfectly translated to mech action." The assembly system's depth and the boss encounter design receive particular praise — each major fight encourages you to rethink your build strategy rather than simply practicing the same loadout. The mission-based structure is acknowledged as an adjustment for players coming from open-world soulslikes. Three distinct endings and an extensive New Game Plus cycle are frequently cited as strong replay drivers.
FromSoftware's reinterpretation of their soulslike philosophy through giant mech action. Armored Core VI combines freely customizable mech assembly with high-speed 3D combat and the studio's signature boss encounter design. Every major boss is a build puzzle as much as a reflex test, and the three-ending story structure rewards multiple playthroughs. Essential for FromSoftware fans who want to see how the studio applies its design language to a radically different genre.
10. Remnant 2
Developer: Gunfire Games | Price: $49.99 | Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Metacritic: 84 | Steam Rating: 87% Very Positive
Steam community consensus: The defining reaction is surprise: "I didn't expect a third-person shooter soulslike to work this well." The up-to-three-player co-op support makes it the standout recommendation for players who want to experience the genre with friends. The procedurally generated dungeon structure is praised for making each playthrough feel genuinely different. Players note the story density is lower than FromSoftware titles, but as a co-op soulslike experience it is widely regarded as unmatched. The Archetype class system's variety draws consistent praise.
The most inventive soulslike variation on this list. Remnant 2 blends third-person shooting with soulslike boss design across a post-apocalyptic multiverse of procedurally generated worlds. The result is a game with near-infinite replayability — no two playthroughs unfold identically. If you want a soulslike to experience with friends, this is the list's best co-op option by a significant margin, supporting up to three players across the full campaign.
Difficulty Reference
| Game | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Star Wars Jedi: Survivor | ⭐⭐ | Genre newcomers |
| Remnant 2 | ⭐⭐ | Co-op players |
| Elden Ring | ⭐⭐⭐ | Most players |
| Lies of P | ⭐⭐⭐ | Experienced players |
| Armored Core VI | ⭐⭐⭐ | Strategic build enthusiasts |
| Dark Souls Remastered | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Series history seekers |
| Dark Souls III | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Veterans |
| Bloodborne | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | PS-owning veterans |
| Nioh 2 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Mechanical mastery seekers |
| Sekiro | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Hardcore mastery seekers |