Hello, Dear Reader, and welcome to our very first soulslike feature. With me stepping up and playing a more active role at Rogueliker, it felt like the perfect opportunity to explore another one of my gaming passions, one that shares much of the same DNA as roguelikes.

With soulslikes overlapping heavily in terms of structure, challenge, and progression, a round-up of my personal favourites felt like the most natural place to start. For this list, I’ll be focusing on the cream of the crop of the genre, covering standout releases by FromSoftware and beyond.

As with all of our top lists here at Rogueliker, I’ve played all of the games included, and I won’t write about titles that I’ve not tried myself. That means some good games are missing, but you can expect regular updates as I work to make this the best resource of its kind on the web.

But first, so we’re all on the same page, we should define what we mean by the genre term “soulslike”. Obviously, we mean a game that is like Dark Souls, but more specifically, it means tough combat, terrifying boss battles, with action-RPG progression tied to exploration and challenging checkpoint systems.

With that out of the way, let’s move on to our very first pick…

The best soulslike games

FromSoftware: The Masters

Elden Ring | 2022 | PC (Win), PlayStation, Switch 2, Xbox

Marking the biggest evolution of the series since its inception, Elden Ring took the industry by storm when it launched in 2022, earning GOTY awards from across the industry.

Moving from more structured, linear levels to a vast open world gave players the freedom to forge their own paths, removing the frustration of being stuck on a single boss. Mounted on your trusty steed, Torrent, you can easily lose hours roaming the Lands Between, taking on mini-bosses, searching for upgrades, and delving deeper into its rich lore.

Speaking of lore, Elden Ring was crafted in collaboration with legendary author and Game of Thrones creator, George R.R. Martin, making for one of the most badass partnerships in gaming history.

Bloodborne | 2015 | PlayStation 4

The fact that Bloodborne remains a PS4 exclusive 11 years after its launch is, in my eyes, absolutely criminal. This gothic horror masterpiece has long stood as one of the best soulslike games for me, holding a special place as my introduction to the genre.

Combat is brutal and fast-paced, encouraging aggressive strikes over shield-blocking, unlike earlier Dark Souls titles. Its risk-reward regain system makes for truly nail-biting encounters as you can land attacks quickly to recover lost health, but misstep and you’ll be torn apart.

Praise also needs to be given to the hauntingly immersive world of Yharnam. In the grip of a deadly plague, this shadowy Victorian-era metropolis is packed with some of the most memorable locations and nightmarish bosses the series has ever seen, making exploration just as thrilling as combat itself.

Roguelike fans will also get a kick out of the game’s Chalice Dungeons. These randomly generated dungeons feature exclusive bosses you won’t find in the main story and provide an excellent way to farm Blood Echoes, materials, and other valuable rewards.

Dark Souls: Remastered | 2018 | PC (Win), PlayStation, Switch, Xbox

This genre-defining classic still stands tall as the best of the original Dark Souls trilogy. While Demon’s Souls laid the groundwork, Dark Souls perfected the formula and brought its punishing mechanics to a wider audience.

The original Dark Souls is packed with so many memorable moments. Who can forget foolishly thinking you needed to slay the tutorial boss with a busted sword or venturing into Blighttown for the first time, wading through its toxic swamps and braving the choppy frame rates?

It also boasts one of the best boss rosters in a FromSoftware game, with standouts like the infamous double battle against Ornstein and Smough and the heart-wrenching encounter with Sif, the Great Grey Wolf.

Sure, compared to later entries, it can feel a little clunky and visually outdated, but for its contribution to the series and the genre as a whole, it remains an essential experience.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice | 2019 | PC (Win), PlayStation, Xbox

Achieving the rare feat of being described as the most challenging game in the FromSoftware catalogue, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice confidently stands apart from the rest of the series. Set in late 1500s Sengoku Japan, it boasts a unique visual identity, and its parry-heavy combat system is both tricky and immensely satisfying to master.

Another departure from the series is its greater emphasis on stealth and platforming. Using his prosthetic arm as a grappling hook, Wolf can scale new heights and strike from above, avoiding enemy encounters when possible. This handy mechanic can even be used on bosses if planned right, giving you less health to whittle down when battling one-on-one.

It also does away with a traditional levelling system, a choice that divided fans at the time. Personally, I found this to be a refreshing change of pace, and I had fun unlocking new Shinobi prosthetic tools such as a flamethrower and the umbrella shield.

Given the massive success of Elden Ring, Sekiro may remain a standalone offshoot. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s an experience every soulslike fan should try.

Dark Souls III | 2016 | PC (Win), PlayStation, Xbox

Following the dark sheep that was the series’ sophomore effort, Dark Souls III marked an excellent return to form and served as a fitting conclusion to the trilogy.

It remains the best-looking and most polished entry in the Dark Souls series to date, with faster, more aggressive combat that clearly reflects the influence of Bloodborne. Some of my favourite set-piece moments include stepping into the frost-covered streets of Irithyll of the Boreal Valley for the first time and going toe-to-toe with The Nameless King, only to be caught out by his unforgettable second, dragon-riding phase.

With it now approaching a decade since launch, it feels long overdue for FromSoftware to bring the Dark Souls Trilogy to modern platforms.

The Best of the Rest

Lies of P | NEOWIZ | 2023 | PC (Mac, Win), PlayStation, Xbox

In my view, Lies of P is the closest any other studio has come so far to matching the quality of FromSoftware’s output.

Loosely based on the 1883 novel The Adventures of Pinocchio, it draws heavy inspiration from Bloodborne while introducing a few original ideas of its own. Players can craft custom weapons by combining handles and blades, and equip a range of prosthetic arms that offer tactical moves, from stunning foes to blocking attacks, or delivering devastating special blows.

To say it’s from a considerably smaller team, NEOWIZ absolutely nails the gothic Victorian atmosphere that I adored in Bloodborne, and I love how it added its own creepy spin, with many of the enemies you battle also being sentient puppets.

It’s also worth noting that the prequel DLC, The Overture, is equally excellent, adding a whole new map, even deadlier bosses, and more opportunities to experiment with your arsenal.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty | Team Ninja | 2023 | PC (Win), PlayStation, Xbox

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a game that I rarely ever see on these types of lists, and that offends me deeply!

I discovered this gem from Nioh developer Team Ninja on Game Pass a couple of years back, and whilst, it doesn’t live up to the highs of some of the studio’s finest work, it’s still a great and overlooked Souls adventure.

Whilst battling through this Three Kingdoms adventure, you can use Tiger Seals to summon allies to fight alongside you in battle. These characters level up the more that you use them, and as your bond deepens, they’ll reward you with their unique armour sets and weapons.

Since its release Wo Long has also seen missions and weapons from other great titles such as Lies of P and Nioh 2.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor | Respawn | 2023 | PC (Win), PlayStation, Xbox

Perhaps the furthest from a traditional soulslike on this list, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is still clearly inspired by the genre. 

Both Survivor and its predecessor, Fallen Order, deliver some of the best lightsaber-on-lightsaber action ever seen in a Star Wars game. Mirroring the same stamina-based, high-stakes combat of traditional soulslikes, the games expand on the formula with you being able to parry, deflect projectiles, and use devastating Force powers.

Unlike other entries on this list that have a much more cryptic narrative, the story here is gripping and cinematic, feeling like a standalone movie in its own right. Cameron Monaghan makes for a standout lead, and it’s a blast exploring new planets and catching up with your crew from the first game following the five-year time jump.

The Surge 2 | Deck13 | 2019 | PC (Win), PlayStation, Xbox

When it comes to The Surge 2, ‘overlooked’ and ‘underappreciated’ are two words that spring to mind. While it may lack the polish of FromSoftware’s classics, it does manage to introduce some inventive and gruesome ideas of its own. 

Set in a bleak dystopian future, the game’s sci-fi setting distinguishes it from other soulslikes, pitting players against cybernetically enhanced humans and lethal robots in intense, tactical combat. Some of the bosses here feel truly unique, such as Little Jonny, a giant robotic spider that ejects poison and waves of electrical mines.

Its upgrade system is also the goriest I’ve seen in the genre. By performing brutal executions and tearing off enemies’ limbs, you can fuse the harvested parts to your own suit of armour, boosting your defence and crafting a truly unique build.

Mortal Shell | Cold Symmetry | 2020 | PC (Win), PlayStation, Switch, Xbox

Unlike traditional soulslikes, which rely on allocating skill points, Mortal Shell streamlines progression with four shells you can swap between to find the setup that best fits your playstyle. It also introduces a unique hardened mechanic, letting you transform into a human statue mid-battle to disrupt enemy combos and shield yourself from heavy damage.

Cold Symmetry is currently cooking up a sequel for this one, which is planned for release in 2026. If it’s able to build on the solid foundations of its predecessor, then it might also be a contender for this list in a future update.

Remnant II | Gunfire Games | 2023 | PC (Win), PlayStation, Xbox

With gun-focused combat and procedurally generated environments, Remnants from the Ashes and its sequel are among the most inventive soulslikes out there.

The sequel takes things further, blending the series’ signature soulslike challenge with roguelike elements, procedurally generated levels, unpredictable enemy encounters, and high-stakes risk-and-reward loops make each run feel tense and fresh.

Unlike many other soulslikes, both games are also fully playable in co-op, letting you bring a friend to help take down their God-like bosses.

Indie Soulslikes

Another Crab’s Treasure | Aggro Crab | 2024 | PC (Win), PlayStation, Switch, Xbox

This might seem like an odd pick given how grim most soulslikes are, but Another Crab’s Treasure proves the formula works just as well in a bright, Disney-esque, whimsical world. 

Playing as an adorable hermit crab, you scuttle across kelp forests, coral reefs, and sandcastle cities in a quest to reclaim your shell from a ruthless debt collector. The game mixes platforming with soulslike combat, letting you experiment with a variety of interchangeable shells – from soda cans to tennis balls – each offering different abilities and stat boosts. 

It’s also possibly the most accessible soulslike out there. Struggling with a boss? You can tweak enemy health, damage, and microplastic loss, or go all-in and equip Kril with a giant gun to blast foes into oblivion.

Tails of Iron | Odd Bug Studio | 2021 | PC (Lin, Mac, Win), PlayStation, Switch, Xbox

Another soulslike with a cute animal protagonist is Tails of Iron. Narrated by Doug Cockle (Geralt of Rivia), it follows a rat king hellbent on revenge after his kingdom is slaughtered.

Instead of the usual stamina-based combat, Tails of Iron takes a different approach, forcing you to react to your foes’ moves and adapt on the fly. Each of the three types of enemy attacks must be met with the right response — block, parry, or evade — if you want to gain the upper hand.

The game also stands out for its gorgeous hand-drawn art style and 2D perspective, giving its action a distinct look and feel that sets it apart from other soulslikes.

Its recently released sequel has already earned plenty of praise, and it’s been on my list for a while to dive into myself!

Eldest Souls | Fallen Flag Studio | 2023 | PC (Win), PlayStation, Switch, Xbox

We all know that bosses are one of the biggest draws of the soulslike genre, which makes it surprising that there aren’t more standout boss-rush interpretations.

One notable exception is Eldest Souls, developed by the two-person team at Fallen Flag Studio. Combat here is blisteringly fast and intensely satisfying, with a rhythm that rewards precision and timing. Like Bloodborne, you can recover health by chaining charged attacks to fill your bloodthirst meter, and well-timed dashes can completely negate damage, but every move has to be calculated carefully.

Each boss is expertly designed, bringing its own mechanics that challenge you to learn, adapt, and stay on your toes. If you love formidable boss encounters but aren’t a fan of the exploration and grinding in between, Eldest Souls is definitely worth checking out.

Death’s Door | Acid Nerve | 2021 | Android, iOS, PC (Win), PlayStation, Switch, Xbox

One observation I’ve made from doing this list is how much an awesome decade the 2020s have been for the genre!

I’m convinced that most things Devolver Digital publishes is gold and Death’s Door is no exception to this trend. Playing as a crow whose job is to reap the souls of the dead, your life becomes much more chaotic when a soul that you are assigned to has been stolen.

Where Death’s Door really shines, though, is in its combat. The action feels tight and deliberate, rewarding patience and precision over button-mashing. Every dodge, arrow shot, and melee strike has weight, and encounters become a satisfying dance of timing and positioning. As you unlock new abilities and magic, the flow of combat opens up even further, striking that perfect balance between challenge and mastery that keeps every fight engaging from start to finish.

That’s all for now, but stay tuned as I’ll be updating this article with more great soulslike games as I get to them!