Summary
From Software’sseries ofDark Soulsgamesare iconic for their interconnected worlds and challenging combat. This combat often includes an expressive parry system, well-telegraphed enemy attacks, a dodge roll, and stamina management. While not all Soulslikes feature extreme challenges to overcome, many of them feature a variety of challenging bosses to defeat.
There have been an abundance of Soulslikes released over the years that take inspiration from From Software’s now-classic franchise, with many of them also leaning on its RPG elements to provide players with plenty of potential character builds. However, some Soulslike games - including From Software’s ownSekiro: Shadows Die Twice- streamline the experience byreducing the player’s potential arsenal to a single weapon.
Nine Solsis a Metroidvaniawith Soulslike combat, featuring a parry system and a variety of challenging bosses that many fans of bothDark Soulsand games likeHollow Knightwill enjoy. Despite having multiple ways to attack in-game,Nine Solsthemes the different available attacks around a single weapon: the player’s fists or, more specifically, the energy that comes from them.
Nine Solsmay be more Metroidvania than Soulslike, but the influences from games such asSekiro: Shadows Die Twiceare clear as day. Furthermore, the interconnected world will likely appeal to many fans of From Software’s classicDark Soulsgames.
This mash-up of the Metroidvania and Soulslike genres isa grim-dark, gritty adventurethrough a distinctively bloody fantasy world. The game features brutal, high-resolution pixel art and gameplay that focuses on exploration and challenging combat.
Blasphemousfeatures a satisfying parry system and a variety of hard-hitting, unique bosses that provide memorable moments throughout. However, players are only given one weapon: the Mea Culpa, a weighty longsword. While this may seem limiting, a variety of upgrades and powerful prayers (spells) allowBlasphemousto remain an engaging experience with plenty of skill expression.
Thiscolorful underwater adventureputs players in the shell(s) of a hermit crab, exploring a watery kingdom and taking out powerful bosses inDark Soulsfashion. Similarly to Soulslikes such asSekiro: Shadows Die Twice,Another Crab’s Treasureonly gives players access to a single weapon.
The fork thatAnother Crab’s Treasuregives players is their only means of attacking enemies at melee range, but thankfully, it can be upgraded throughout the game. Combined with its limited stats that make leveling up much simpler,Another Crab’s Treasureis a remarkably accessible Soulslike experience.
4Titan Souls
A Boss-Rush Soulslike With A Dense Atmosphere
Titan Soulsis a Soulslikeboss-rush gamethat gives players access to only one weapon: a bow and arrow. With this weapon, players are thrust into the game’s world and tasked with taking down a variety of challenging, mesmerizing bosses, each designed in beautiful pixel-art.
Each boss provides its own unique challenge, offering an almost puzzle-like experience to each encounter. While there’s not much to do in between boss fights, the world ofTitan Soulsis extremely atmospheric, reminiscent of games likeShadow Of The Colossus.
Thisbright and colorful indie gametakes players on a swashbuckling adventure, fencing their way through a variety of challenging encounters across a brisk campaign. WhileEn Garde!may be a short and sweet linear game, its challenging combat will likely appeal to Soulslike fans.
En Garde!gives players access to a single weapon, but they can also use the environment to their advantage, kicking a variety of objects at enemies to take them out.En Garde!is a far cry from the originalDark Souls, but its engaging combat (complete with a parry and stamina system) makes it a worthwhile adventure.
Part Metroidvania, part Soulslike,Hollow Knightfeatures a deep, interconnected world that’s a consistent joy to explore, with new surprises around every corner. However, this interconnected world isn’t too far from the looping paths ofDark Souls, and there’s an equal focus on providing players with memorable interactions with NPCs.
However, it’s not justthe overall atmosphereand focus on exploration thatHollow Knightshares withDark Souls, but its combat system as well.Hollow Knightfeatures challenging combat complete with a dash that helps players to avoid enemy attacks, as well as a parry system.
Developed by From Software, the developers of theDark Soulsseries,Sekiro: Shadows Die Twiceis a particularly unique Soulslike game. This is due to the fact that players are only given one weapon: the iconic katana. Thankfully, a well-crafted skill tree helps players scale with the game’s rising difficulty curve, ensuring they feel a sense of progression throughout.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twiceis arguably one of the hardest Soulslikes available, with some truly challenging bosses. While its gameplay may be more restrictive (and somewhat more linear) than theDark Soulsgames,Sekiro: Shadows Die Twicefocuses on mastery, tasking players with learning the ins and outs of their move set in order to succeed.
