Soulslike games with better combat than Bloodborne

Of all the Soulslikes out there, Bloody is easily one of the most popular and widely acclaimed, with many citing its beautifully bleak environments and revolutionary combat to have practically ushered in a new era for the genre. The faster pace was in stark contrast to the slower, more methodical approach earlier Soul games, but it was a welcome change that was met with praise across the board.

best soulslike games xbox game pass silksong and wuchang fallen feather

The best Soulslike games on Xbox Game Pass

Whether it's a punishing difficulty or epic boss encounters, these are the best Soulslike games on Xbox Game Pass.

However, in the years since the game's release, several new Soulsiks have broken the mold even further, demonstrating a higher level of combat excellence in many ways. Some carry influence Bloody proudly, while others diverge the other way, showing how challenging and fast-paced the game can take on more than one form.

First Berserker: Khazan

Stylish Parries And Lots Of Skills

More diverse combos/attacks.
Ability Upgrades vs. basic statistics.
Tired parry system.

First Berserker: Khazan has taken some huge steps forward despite coming from a relatively small developer, transporting players into a dark world full of demons and decay. Players take on the role of Khazan, a great general bent on revenge, and embark on a journey through icy mountains and putrid swamps full of grotesque creatures and enemies waiting to be conquered.

Jack in Samurai Armor in Stranger of Paradise

8 Best Soulslike Multiplayer Games, Ranked

Many Soulslike games allow players to team up with one or more friends, but these multiplayer games do it best.

The combat itself is incredibly fluid and satisfying, allowing players to use one of three types of weapons, each with their own set of skills and perks. The parry system is far more advanced than a simple shot, allowing players to block, counter, and fully parry attacks that can then be used to chain into other combos, giving them exceptional control over how they deal with certain enemies and attacks. Choice is central to the experience, as players will have many different tools and methods to use, so the subsequent playthrough will at times feel like a completely different game.

Star Blade

Speed meets elegant aggression

More skillfully expressive reflection.
Mobility options that suit combat.
Unique abilities that expand combat with just a swing of the sword.

Star Blade is a futuristic hack-and-slash Soulslike blend that connects players with technology at every turn. Eve is a soldier sent to save humanity, and despite being equipped with a single metal blade, she can cut through mechanical giants and monstrous enemies without breaking a sweat. Combat is heavily dependent on timing and choosing attack windows, but there is much less downtime than in Bloodywhere players often need to wait for the perfect attack.

Instead, Star Blade allowing them to charge into battle face-to-face and unleash a barrage of attacks and abilities that look as powerful as they really are. Later on, the game really moves up a notch as players gain more specific combos that target weaknesses or take advantage of certain approaches, culminating in Tachy's cinematic mode, which transforms them into an unstoppable warrior with a whole new set of skills to play with.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Setting a new standard for the genre

Incredibly challenging but rewarding parry-based combat.
Faster and more engaging.
Meaningful tweaks that change the way certain attacks can be countered.

Bloody they may have laid the groundwork for rebounding in Soulslikes but An axe he really got away with it. There is no change in weapons or stat boosts for specific attacks, but the game still manages to deliver an unforgettable combat experience that remains the best in its class over the years. Parrying is the name of the game, but it's not all about button mashing. Instead, players must carefully learn each individual attack chain and combo, many of which can be filled with dangerous attacks and other strikes, each requiring a unique solution.

An axe has a lot of satisfying DNA Bloodybut it feels much more interesting because player skill plays a bigger role in deciding how challenging the game will be. Also, the skill tree is much more interesting, giving players tools like the Mikiri Counter that allows them to stomp on punches and adds a layer of depth to many fights around the world. In general, the game just feels more polished and polished to me, taking everything FromSoftware has learned in their previous games and pushing it to the absolute limit.

Hollow Knight

More options and satisfying abilities

More opportunities for aerial combat.
Polished hitboxes and clear attack patterns.
Enhancements and spells that significantly affect game mechanics.

Hollow Knight's Combat features exceptional clarity and precision, with players showing exactly where hitboxes are and where attacks will land. Each strike is responsive and meaningful, allowing skills to stick more firmly and not be hindered by things like camera angles or visual ambiguity. This clearer sense of combat makes encounters fairer and more satisfying, rewarding skill while punishing mistakes much more.

Top rated Soulslike games on Open-Critic, ranked

Can any studio match FromSoftware's expertise in the soulslike genre? Let's find out.

What will it set Hollow Knight even further apart Bloody emphasizes mobility. Aerial chops, pogo attacks, dashes, and spell weaving create a fluid combat style that overcomes FromSoftware's more grounded approach, which can often lead to moments of pause during intense fights. The Charm system amplifies this flexibility, allowing for meaningful modification of everything from damage to movement, giving players more control over how they want to face the dangers of the Hollownest in far more transformative ways.

Nioh 2

An almost unrivaled variety

Depth through stances, Ki and Yokai abilities.
Greater variety of builds and experimentation.
Higher skill ceiling and expression.

Nioh 2 builds on the foundations of other fast-paced Soulslikes – including the first one nioh — but it pushes it into much more complex territory. The game introduced stances and weapon-specific skill trees that added a layer of mechanical depth that simply isn't present Bloody. This depth extends to the actual combat, where precise timing and thoughtful decision-making become key elements to defeating tougher late-game bosses, and even basic encounters become complex when factoring in all the different techniques and mechanics in the game.

The addition of Yokai abilities and Burst Counters elevates this even further, allowing players to interrupt powerful enemy moves and change momentum instantly. Combined with extensive building creation, players have a whole set of methods to try and experiment with, encouraging them to test and refine their fighting style. The result is an experience that is highly technical and infinitely customizable, offering a much higher degree of mastery and individual expression that surpasses what is offered in Bloody.