Forget damsels in distress, these games revel in rewarding grit over grace. Explore a pantheon of punishing worlds, each offering a unique blend of combat, exploration, and cryptic lore. The best of soulslike games offer worlds you won’t find anywhere else. Inspired by Fromsoftware’s masterpiece souls games like Dark Souls, Elden Ring, and Bloodborne, other developers have made their own spin on the best soulslike games. So if you’re someone who wants a taste, keep reading to know about the best souslike games you should play in 2024!
1. Nioh 2
- Release Date: March 13, 2020
- Platform(s): PS5, PS4, Microsoft Windows
Nioh 2 might be your perfect fix if you are up for the Soulsborne challenge. This soulslike game boasts the punishing difficulty you crave but injects a dose of high-octane action with its Yokai abilities and loot-driven character progression.
Compared to the original, Nioh 2 refines the combat with more mobility options and builds upon the lore, offering a deeper dive into Japanese mythology. It’s only fitting we start out with what we consider one of the best soulslike games of all time.
2. Lies of P
- Release Date: September 18, 2023
- Platform(s): PS5, PS4, macOS, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Lies of P isn’t your Pinocchio fairytale. This soulslike gem throws you into a hauntingly beautiful clockwork world brimming with mechanical monstrosities. Punishing combat is balanced by a unique weapon customization system, and the Pinocchio lore is woven into the world with a dark twist. Prepare to be surprised and challenged by this fresh take on the soulslike formula.
3. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
- Release Date: March 22, 2019
- Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Even after being from FromSoftware studio Sekiro is not exactly a souls game but it retains the elements and becomes something new. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice ditches the familiar RPG elements for a dance of blades.
Master the art of parrying and deflection to conquer brutal enemies and larger-than-life bosses in a gorgeous, Japanese-inspired world. Sekiro offers a unique brand of satisfaction for those seeking to dominate through offensive aggression. However, don’t make the mistake of thinking it will be easy. There’s a reason Sekiro is known as one of the best soulslike games of all time. And you’re about to find out.
4. Code Vein
- Release Date: May 31, 2019
- Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Want one of the best soulslike games experience with a unique twist? Code Vein delivers the punishing combat and cryptic world you crave, but injects a vibrant anime aesthetic and a helpful AI companion to fight alongside you. With a deep character customization system through Blood Codes, you can tailor your playstyle and conquer the depths of this post-apocalyptic world.
5. Hollow Knight
- Release Date: February 24, 2017
- Platform(s): Windows, Linux, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One
Conquered the desolate beauty of Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree (review) and crave another hauntingly atmospheric challenge? Hollow Knight delivers a masterclass among the best soulslike games. Descend into the decaying world of Hallownest, where brutal combat, cryptic lore, and a stunning hand-drawn aesthetic await.
Mastering the tight controls and battling unforgettable bosses will leave you exhilarated. Nonetheless, I found the journey worth it in the end with Hollow Knight.
6. Remnant 2
- Release Date: July 25, 2023
- Platform(s): PS5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S
Remnant 2 carves its niche in the soulslike genre by blending demanding combat with third-person shooter mechanics. Procedurally generated worlds ensure each playthrough is fresh, while the unique co-op system lets you tackle these challenges with a friend.
Build diversity and a constant stream of loot keep the action exciting, making Remnant 2 a must-try for soulslike game fans seeking a fresh twist.
7. Nioh
- Release Date: February 7, 2017
- Platform(s): PS5, PS4, Windows,
I know we already have Nioh 2 on our list. However, it won’t be a best soulslike game list without the original. Nioh offers a brutally satisfying combat system with multiple stances and Yokai abilities, demanding mastery over both aggression and defense.
While Nioh 2 refines the experience with even more weapon types, a deeper character-build system, and Yokai transformations, the original Nioh lays the foundation for a great prequel.
8. Lords of the Fallen
- Release Date: October 13, 2023
- Platform(s): PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One, GeForce Now, Microsoft Windows
Have you tasted Elden Ring’s waters and want to dive in the same? Look no further than the 2023 reboot of Lords of the Fallen. This soulslike gem boasts stunning visuals powered by Unreal Engine 5, a unique dual-realm mechanic that adds strategic depth to combat and a challenging yet rewarding experience that rivals the best in the genre.
9. The Surge 2
- Release Date: September 24, 2019
- Platform(s): Microsoft Windows, PS4, Xbox One, Amazon Luna
The Surge 2 delivers a punishing yet satisfying combat system where you target specific enemy limbs for loot and strategic takedowns. Intricately designed levels open up as you progress, rewarding exploration and forcing you to master its unique mechanics to overcome ferocious robotic foes and grotesque bio-engineered mutants.
10. Ashen
- Release Date: December 7, 2018
- Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PS4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One
Tired of venturing through desolate landscapes alone? Ashen throws a curveball with its innovative co-op system. Team up with a friend (or a helpful stranger!) to conquer a world shrouded in darkness. One of the best soulslike games, Ashen offers a lighter aesthetic and world design but retains the challenging combat and cryptic lore the genre is known for.
11. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
- Release Date: April 28, 2023
- Platform(s): PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows
Lightsaber duels meet challenging encounters in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, a soulslike experience that’ll ignite your passion for both Star Wars and overcoming adversity. Master the art of wielding the Force and a double-bladed lightsaber as you explore sprawling planets, all while facing enemies that demand strategic thinking and precise timing.
This isn’t your typical Jedi stroll; it’s a thrilling test of your skills and one of the best Star Wars games.
12. Salt And Sanctuary
- Release Date: March 15, 2016
- Platform(s): PS4, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch
Shipwrecked on a cursed island, Salt and Sanctuary throws you into a 2D soulsborne experience unlike any other. Master brutal combat that blends platforming agility with tactical depth. Explore a sprawling, interconnected world filled with grotesque enemies, hidden secrets, and epic boss fights. Prepare to die, but also to discover why Salt and Sanctuary is a must-play and one of the best soulslike games we recommend.
13. Hellpoint
- Release Date: July 30, 2020
- Platform(s): Linux, macOS, Windows, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Stadia, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S
It’s not every day you see a soulslike giving you sci-fi experience, that too in a horror environment. Without a doubt, Hellpoint delivers on that and some.
Explore a sprawling, derelict space station filled with challenging combat, a unique skill tree, and an interconnected world begging to be untangled. Hellpoint might not be the smoothest soulslike game, but its ambitious atmosphere and deep secrets make it one of the best.
14. Mortal Shell
- Release Date: August 18, 2020
- Platform(s): Microsoft Windows, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Luna
If you are about soulslike with a quirky twist, look no further than Mortal Shell. You inhabit fallen warriors, each with unique combat styles, and a transformative “hardening” mechanic that deflects attacks and opens stunning counter opportunities. Master these warriors and explore a hauntingly beautiful world filled with challenging combat and cryptic secrets.
15. Blasphemous
- Release Date: September 10, 2019
- Platform(s): Windows, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, Linux, macOS, Amazon Luna
Blasphemous stands out among the best soulslike games for its beautiful, pixel-art world steeped in dark religious themes.
The Metroidvania-style map rewards exploration with new abilities and shortcuts, while the challenging combat emphasizes mastery of a single weapon. With its cryptic lore and brutal difficulty, Blasphemous offers a unique and unforgettable soulslike experience.
Well, that ends our list of the best soulslike games in 2024. Of course, if you want the real deal, learn how to access Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree and begin your journey! Got some of the best soulslike games we haven’t added? Let us know in the comments below!
