Elden Ring is a soul-like game, apart from that Dark souls. It is the largest, both in terms of popularity and in terms of sheer size. While not the genre's first foray into open-world design (Ashen beating it by four years), FromSoftware's masterpiece demonstrated that the formula could be converted to this format without diminishing its merits. The core game is extremely long and that doesn't take into account the potential for replayability with different builds that cater to different playstyles. Even if you played Elden Ring since its launch in 2022, you can still find new ways to enjoy it, and that doesn't even take into account brutally hard Extension “Shadow of Erdtree” or Nightreign standalone spin-off.
Still, there comes a time when the desire to leave The Lands Between and travel to new realms becomes irresistible, and there are roughly a billion Soulslike games that could satisfy that desire. This subgenre is a big part of the action RPG these days, so the choice can be overwhelming. So let's simplify the process and draw attention to a few games that Elden Ring fans should try it out. The goal is not to promote too much similar to Soulslike games that strictly adhere to FromSoftware's blueprint, but rather titles that build on its foundations and create something that is mostly unique.
To hopefully ensure that the article contains at least one new recommendation for most people, I've included both familiar and unfamiliar titles. The former are for people on the fence, and the latter are for soulful veterans looking for something that might have eluded them.
I also went back and forth on whether to include Immortal: Unchainedand finally decided against it. The game is brutally difficult and quite unique due to its focus on a third-person shooter, even in front of it Residue games. However, it is too rough around the edges to fully recommend. Still, check it out if you're after a Soulslike shooter.
First Berserker: Khazan
A punishingly difficult and fast-paced soulslike that's all about combat
While Soulslike games are common these days, the genre is still broad enough that only about 3 or 4 games a year capture the public zeitgeist and become a part of online discourse for a while. First Berserker: Khazan will be remembered as one of the biggest and best soulslikes of 2025, but that doesn't mean it should be recommended to almost everyone. Neople's effort is entirely dedicated to combat and boss fights, and the game never slows down. Exploration is minimal and fairly dull, so if you're specifically after a Metroidvania style design or Elden Ringopen minded, Khazan will not satisfy you.
Now, KhazanThe basic combat isn't too different from something similar Dark souls or especially An axebut his focus on aggressive action, perfect guarding and brutal attacks help him stand out from the crowd. Unlike Elden Ringyou don't have a free hand to create wildly different builds because Khazan is a permanent protagonist who uses three types of weapons: Dual Wield, Spear and Greatsword. All three classes are quite different from each other and it is recommended that you use all of them during the campaign (rather than sticking to just one).
Nioh 2
Team Ninja's unique spin on the soul-like Formula
full disclaimer, Nioh 2 is my favorite Soulslike po Bloodyso this recommendation may be slightly biased. However, from a pure combat point of view, this could be a strong argument Nioh 2 it represents the pinnacle of the genre, even an eclipse Elden Ring. All of Team Ninja's endeavors have great gameplay systems that are similar to each other, but this edition combines them in the most satisfying and complete way.
From the amazing and varied burst counters to the many Yokai skills and weapon types, there are almost too many mechanics and tools at your disposal. Yet they never feel exhausting, as they're built around rock-solid combat that's all about reading enemy movement and timing your strikes. The basic formula is pure Soulslike while elevating everything else Nioh 2 to extreme heights. The game is also loaded with content, especially if you opt for the complete edition that comes with DLC (it's 100% worth it). The levels are linear and mission-based, which is by no means a bad thing.
There is no light
Unapologetically dark 2D soul dripping with style and horror
Soulslikes have become a staple of the game release cycle thanks to the sheer number of 2D indie projects that probably eclipse the number of full-fledged 3D games. Obviously, if you're completely against the idea of playing in this dimension, there's nothing I can say to make you pick up There is no Light or even other recommendations – feel free to skip. However, if you enjoy something like Blasphemousyou'll definitely want to check out Zelarta's 2022 title, which features some of the most stunning pixel art in the genre. Somehow the game manages to be beautiful despite bringing to life an ugly and nightmarish hellscape.
The premise is fairly unique for Soulslike as it involves a father trying to save their child from a brutal end, adding conventional personal stakes that are usually missing from these games. to fight There is no Light is an absolute delight that seamlessly combines style, depth and challenge. You have access to four weapons and have to switch between them regularly to use skills and adapt to enemies. The skills are incredibly flashy and awesome and are well balanced as activating one causes her weapon to be unavailable for a while. Therefore, you must time your electrifying explosions wisely.
A dark devotion
Classic soulslike combat with Roguelite progression
The second and final 2D Soulslike featured in this article, A dark devotion It seems to have been largely forgotten since its debut in 2019, which is a shame because there's a lot of fun to be had here. Before we go any further, I have to admit that this game hardly meets the criteria of “unique combat” as the core of the game was designed to Dark souls as possible, although reframed for the 2D plane. A dark devotion it came out at a time when the market was not flooded with these projects, so it was quite original for the time. More importantly, the combat is good, at least if you like the basic rhythm of Souls. Your movement and attacks are heavy, though this can be worked around by focusing on faster weapon types.
A dark devotionIts unique voice stems from its progressive structure, which also directly affects the playing. It's basically a roguelite that makes you start from the base center after defeat and you lose almost all of your items and have to remember your weapons and armor. There are permanent upgrades you can count on in later launches, but they're usually not best in class. Unlike Dead cellsusing generating procedures to create new levels for each run, A dark devotion it has a static map that doesn't change, putting it more in line with traditional Soulslikes.
Graduate
Soulslike combined with fighting game mechanics
Maybe my memory is failing me, but I seem to remember Graduate which is a pretty big deal in 2017. At the time, we only had a handful of Soulslike games, and the ones that existed were mostly poor people's games Dark souls. When SloClap came up with a title that revolved around hand-to-hand combat and was inspired by the fighting genre, SloClap redefined the definition of Soulslikes to mean more than just games that copy FromSoftware's homework. Even almost a decade later, Graduate is still a unique must-play experience not only for Soulslike fans, but also for players who love SloClap. Sifu.
Now, I will say that the main selling point is the PvP, which makes sense considering it's also a fighting game. The online scene isn't particularly active these days, so don't pick it specifically for this element. he said that Graduate it has a solid single player campaign that will have you fighting a lot of difficult boss fights while exploring a pretty cool world. The game is often on sale these days, so it's worth picking up just for the solo content.
AI limit
A soul that gives up stamina for something else
Release close First Berserker: Khazan, AI limit it was completely overshadowed by its larger contemporary, but they are oddly complementary versions. While Khazan shines in its aggressive, frenzied play, AI limit it stands out for its complex world design, challenging but mostly fair fights, and novel twists in combat. The basic gameplay loop is fairly typical Soulslike, but AI limit has a surprising range of innovative ideas. Rather than stamina, the game uses a sync speed meter that increases when you perform attacks or other moves, improving your effectiveness in combat. This system constantly rewards or punishes your performance, creating a rhythm that reflects the flow of battle.
Out of sync speed, AI limit has several other news. First, you have to equip mechanics like counters or shield, and you can't have both on at once. As such, you'll need to pick a lane when facing a boss, which adds another element of strategy. The game also loves its flashy spells and weapons.
