Souls games are not for the faint of heart. They are tests of skill, perseverance, and mental fortitude. From the very beginning, you’re thrust into a world that offers no mercy, where death is a constant companion, but one that teaches you valuable lessons. These games don’t follow the typical guidelines — they aren’t designed to be won easily. Instead, they demand that you learn from failure and grow stronger with each setback. The joy of a soulslike game is not in mindless repetition, but in overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds.
What makes these games truly exceptional is the transformation that happens inside of you. The silent world, full of hidden secrets and ominous threats, becomes a place of discovery. Every boss battle, every puzzle, every dark corner of these games asks you to reach deep within yourself, to push your limits further than you thought possible. Souls games will shape you, and in turn, you shape the world within them. Now, go on this journey with me as we explore some of the best soulslike games to play that will test your skills and redefine your perception of gaming.
Elden Ring rewrote the rules for what an open-world game can be. The world of the Lands Between is a vast, ever-shifting landscape, filled with secrets hidden around every turn that whisper tales of ancient gods. Its design allows for a truly unique exploration experience — every location offers something unique, from the towering, storm-swept castles to the tranquil, yet eerie forests, keeping you on the edge of your seat as you discover each nook of this dark fantasy world.
Elden Ring evolves FromSoftware’s renowned style to new heights, blending precision swordplay with magical abilities. Boss fights, such as the harrowing battle against Malenia or the gravity-defying showdown with Radahn, are not just tests of skill; they are cinematic moments in a grander narrative. Elden Ring’s story is told through cryptic whispers — the thrill of uncovering pieces of the game’s shattered history feels like unraveling a great epic campaign that challenges you both as a player and a storyteller.
Dark Souls is the cornerstone of a genre. Its iconic world, Lordran, invites you to explore its depths and discover its tragic beauty. The game’s level design is masterful, with areas that loop back on themselves in such a way that even the smallest corners may hold secret passageways. From the eerie Undead Burg to all the soul-crushing catacombs, the original Dark Souls captivates with a blend of environmental storytelling and richly woven lore that demands attention from the player.
Dark Souls isn’t about quick reflexes; it’s about timing, patience, and perseverance. The combat forces you to understand every enemy’s pattern, to position yourself correctly, and to make every attack count. The bosses, like the towering Taurus Demon and the grotesque Bed of Chaos, feel like monumental obstacles — tests of not just your skills but your willpower. Each death isn’t just a setback; it’s a valuable lesson. Dark Souls offers a world where everything seems doomed to decay, and yet, through determination, you can carve a path toward redemption.
Dark Souls III serves as both a grand finale and a poignant reflection on the series’ past. The world feels like a fading echo of a once-vibrant kingdom, where every stone is steeped in nostalgia and sorrow. From the haunting beauty of Irithyll to the ruined spires of Lothric Castle, Dark Souls III is a journey through a kingdom on the brink of collapse. The weight of its world, filled with crumbling buildings and lost civilizations, is felt in every step, and the story it tells is one of inevitable decline.
Dark Souls III strikes the perfect balance between the deliberate pace of earlier games and the fluidity found in newer entries like Bloodborne. Every enemy encounter is designed to test not just your fighting skills, but your ability to adapt to shifting battle dynamics. The bosses — from the beautiful yet tragic Sister Friede to the tempestuous Nameless King —test your endurance and resolve. Dark Souls III doesn’t just offer a vast world to explore; it offers a tale about the cycle of life and death, and the heavy toll of what it means to be a hero in a dying world.
Bloodborne is a haunting dive into madness, where the line between nightmare and reality is blurred beyond recognition. The city of Yharnam is alive with a twisted sense of beauty — its gothic architecture juxtaposed against the grotesque horrors lurking within. Yharnam is not just a setting; it is a living, breathing entity that you cannot escape from, and it draws you into its madness with each step you take. The world is dark, oppressive, and yet oddly captivating, keeping you on edge as you dive deeper into its nightmarish secrets.
Bloodborne pushes you to adopt an aggressive playstyle, where offense is your best defense. Unlike other soulslike games, where caution is key, Bloodborne rewards you for taking risks — attacking quickly and decisively, without hesitation. The visceral combat system, where you heal by dealing damage, creates a constant sense of tension. Each encounter feels dangerous, but also thrilling, as you push yourself to survive. With its Lovecraftian horror influences, Bloodborne is a descent into a world where the cost of knowledge may be your sanity.
Sekiro stands apart from the rest of the soulslike genre by demanding absolute precision and impeccable timing. As Wolf, a shinobi warrior in feudal Japan, you are bound by duty and loyalty, thrust into a world filled with brutal combat and unforgiving enemies. The game’s world design is vertical and layered, with hidden paths and challenges that reward exploration but never shy away from punishing failure. The environment — from the foggy, ominous forests to the majestic Ashina Castle — is both beautiful and hostile, keeping you on your toes at every turn.
Sekiro is a masterclass in technique. It’s not about dodging endlessly or hacking away at enemies; it’s about perfecting the art of deflection and counterattacks. Every fight feels like a dance, with each sword strike and parry building toward a climactic moment. The game forces you to master the balance between offense and defense, while the story of loyalty and vengeance unfolds in dramatic ways. Sekiro challenges you not only as a player but as a person, asking you to master your discipline and focus to survive. It’s a game that rewards patience, and dedication, offering no shortcuts in your quest for redemption.
Black Myth: Wukong takes players on a visually stunning journey through Chinese mythology, blending rich cultural heritage with dynamic gameplay. As Sun Wukong, the legendary Monkey King, you are granted the ability to shift between different forms, each offering unique abilities. The combat is fluid and multifaceted, allowing strategic use of these forms to take down powerful enemies. From lush forests to towering temples, the world of Black Myth is filled with breathtaking landscapes that feel alive, drawing you into a mythic narrative that’s both beautiful and tragic.
The game’s combat system is both graceful and devastating, with Wukong’s special abilities adding layers of depth to every encounter. The bosses — mythical creatures descending from ancient legends — test your warrior prowess, as well as your understanding of strengths and weaknesses. The story itself is about more than just defeating enemies; it’s about understanding the weight of the past, dealing with the consequences of fate in a world where gods and mortals clash. Black Myth: Wukong is an exploration of destiny, mythology, and the choices that define us.
Lies of P offers a dark, steampunk twist on the classic Pinocchio tale, reimagining the puppet’s journey as a haunting exploration of humanity and morality. The city of Krat is a decaying labyrinth filled with puppets, both human and machine, each one twisted by their creator’s hands. The environment is gothic and industrial, drenched in a melancholy atmosphere that makes you question what it means to be truly alive. As you navigate this world, the lines between man and machine blur, and you must decide who you are in a city on the brink of destruction.
Lies of P is brutal and calculated, demanding a mastery of both weapons and strategy. The game’s weapon modification system gives you the freedom to cater to your style, adding a personal touch to every encounter. But it’s the emotional weight of the game that truly stands out. Each boss you face — whether human or puppet — is a tragic reflection of the city’s descent. Lies of P doesn’t just challenge your reflexes; it challenges your humanity, forcing you to confront questions about identity, existence, and what it means to be “alive.”
Khazan: The First Berserker is an action-packed journey into vengeance, offering a fast-paced fighting system that is as satisfying as it is brutal. As Khazan, a warrior betrayed by his comrades, you navigate a world filled with tremendous gods and fallen heroes. The world is harsh, with landscapes steeped in sorrow and destruction. The environment tells the story of Khazan’s past — broken kingdoms and shattered memories that define every step of his journey.
Khazan is aggressive and stylish, encouraging players to dive headfirst into battle. Unlike most soulslike games, Khazan emphasizes speed and ferocity, rewarding boldness and creativity in every fight. Bosses are powerful, often tied to Khazan’s own past, and defeating them feels like a personal victory. Khazan: The First Berserker is about revenge, and facing the consequences of actions you’ve committed in the past. With an anime-inspired narrative and visual style, the game presents a story of rage and transformation that will keep you hooked from start to finish.
Nioh 2 plunges you into a world of Japanese mythology, where you play as a warrior fighting against supernatural forces in a war-torn version of feudal Japan. The environments are rich with history and lore, each area filled with its own unique challenges, from stunning temples to fog-covered forests that hide yokai and spirits at every turn. The world feels alive with myth and danger, offering a deep dive into the folklore of Japan.
With its deep stance system and ability to harness abilities from defeated enemies, the game allows for a wide range of playstyles and combat strategies. Transforming into a yokai adds a supernatural element, allowing for even more variety in how you approach battles. Bosses are challenging, each one being a massive test of your skill and understanding of the game’s mechanics. Nioh 2’s world is rich with stories of betrayal, honor, and power, and your journey through it is one of self-discovery.
Last but certainly not least is Lords of the Fallen which introduces a unique dual-realm mechanic where you shift between the living world of Axiom and the cursed land of Umbral. This mechanic adds layers of complexity to exploration and combat, as you must navigate the challenges of each realm, solving puzzles and facing enemies that exist in both worlds. The game’s design emphasizes the interplay between life and death, with both worlds offering their own secrets, dangers, and rewards.
Lords of the Fallen has a deliberate, strong emphasis on timing and stamina management. Switching between Axiom and Umbral adds a new layer to each encounter, forcing you to strategize and adapt to different perspectives. The game’s story revolves around a curse that binds the world, and your quest to uncover its origins and break free. Each death pulls you deeper into the Umbral, raising the stakes and making every victory feel earned. Lords of the Fallen challenges you to navigate its complex world and survive its relentless challenges, all while uncovering the truth behind the curse that binds you.
Souls games aren’t just about winning — they’re about transformation. They strip away the fluff and force you to confront your weaknesses, your fears, and your flaws. They test your resolve and push you to evolve with every death. In the world of soulslike games, victory is never handed to you. It’s earned, one battle at a time, through grit, determination, and a refusal to give up.
Soulslikes don’t offer comfort or easy answers. Instead, they teach you that failure is part of growth, that failing doesn’t mean you’re finished. These games are all about resilience, pushing forward even when you feel like you’ve reached the end of the road. So, when you face that next seemingly insurmountable obstacle feeling like you can’t go on — remember this: you can. You’re just not done yet. Keep going, warrior. The fog gates await, and your next adventure is waiting to unfold.