There is a lot to love aboutDark Soulsand all the games it inspired. If you find yourself drawn to the Soulslike genre but aren’t quite sure which games are great options on Steam, look no further. There are so many great choices that it can often be overwhelming.
Luckily, there are tons of great Soulslike games that capture the same essence as Dark Souls while giving their own unique spins on the formula. You’ll get the familiar gameplay you’d expect but with different takes on world-building, exploration, and even entire mechanics in these great Soulslikes.
Updated on June 08, 2025, by Mohamed El Ouardighi:Each year, a wave of new Soulslike games emerges, varying in quality and difficulty. With so many to keep track of, staying up-to-date can be challenging. If you’ve missed any recent releases and are craving some tough gameplay, look no further because this updated list has got you covered.
13The Last Faith
Gothic 2D Soulslike
If you’re a fan of 2D Metroidvania games with a soulslike challenge, thenthe Last Faithis right up your alley. While it may not mirror Hollow Knight exactly, it shares similarities with the Blasphemous series and carries a dark, gothic vibe reminiscent of Bloodborne.
At first glance, the Last Faith might seem relatively straightforward, but don’t be fooled—the difficulty ramps up significantly when you face off against its formidable bosses. To help you tackle these challenges, you’ll have access to a variety of weapons, each with its own unique playstyle and abilities. These tools will prove invaluable as you guide Erik on his journey to uncover the cause of the plague and those accountable for it.
12Code Vein
Anime Like Soulslike
If you want to play the anime version of Dark Souls,Code Veinis as close as you’re going to get. It offers you an incredibly similar experience, though with a lot more style and edgy combat thanks to the anime aesthetic.
Launched back in 2019, this game is set in a post-apocalyptic world filled with horrific monsters ready for slaying. The story is presented more clearly than in Dark Souls, which might be just what you prefer, especially since you still get to face massive bosses in epic battles.
Code Vein
WHERE TO PLAY
Code Vein is an action RPG designed to be played in co-op, either with a friend or an AI partner. in which you fight to survive in a post-apocalyptic world.
11Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Star Wars Can Also Be A Soulslike
While some may prefer the first game in the series,Star Wars Jedi: Survivoris an excellent follow-up to the modern classic Soulslike. Continuing Cal Kestis’ adventure through the galaxy far, far away, you’ll need to master a lightsaber and force abilities to survive.
The combat is shockingly varied and allows you to make things as complex or simplistic as you’d like while you play. The game can be tricky like any other Soulslike game, but you won’t have to go out hunting down the story in thisheavily story-based game.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a 2023 sequel from Respawn Entertainment that continues the story of Cal Kestis, a Jedi Knight who fights to survive the brutal Galactic Empire.
10Mortal Shell
Similar To Dark Souls
Mortal Shellis a great option to give a try if you want a game with a similar feeling as the Dark Souls series, but with some more unique mechanics. You’ll get the same difficulty and scarcity of story, but instead of lots of customization, you have access to various shells to try.
You’ll gain access to different shells, each offering distinct playstyle options. Figuring out which shell works best for you and suits various situations is crucial. This mechanic adds a unique twist to the familiar Dark Souls gameplay, practically encouraging you to experiment and try new strategies.
Mortal Shell
Mortal Shell launched in 2020, and is an action RPG set in a dark, brooding atmosphere. It features a possession mechanic, in which you take control of the dead and use them as shells to unlock different abilities.
9Sifu
Unique Gameplay Mechanic
While some would prefer to classifySifuin other ways, there are just as many people who would call Sifu one of the best and most inventive Soulslike games you can play. Acting as a tricky beat ‘em up rather than featuring swords, Sifu is a fun twist for fans of the genre.
The intricate combat and sheer amount of options you havethroughout the game, mixed with the brutal difficulty in those fights, make it a ton of fun. Realistically, Sifu is a marriage of a variety of genres, making it a seriously mass-appealing game for those who love unique genres.
Sifu
Sifu is a martial arts brawler that aims to capture the feeling of classic Hong Kong action movies. It uses a detailed combat system modeled on Bak Mei kung fu, with a unique ageing mechanic to determine power and frailty.
8Nioh 2
Nioh Is Still Good
If you’ve delved into the firstNiohgame, it’s only natural to transition intoNioh 2, given the multiple enhancements that enrich the overall experience. The setting remains in the mystical feudal Japan, but this sequel delves even deeper into the Yokai realm. With your character being a half-human, half-Yokai warrior, customization becomes a significant feature, allowing players to tailor their character—a detail appreciated by many in this genre.
The gameplay retains the familiar essence of the first game but feels more refined and fluid, offering enhanced weapon choices and additional guardian spirits. Of course, the game maintains its challenging nature which requires you to adapt and master its gameplay mechanics.
Nioh 2
Nioh 2 is a sequel-prequel hybrid, in which you play Hide, a half-demon who must battle legendary Sengoku Era foes while harnessing great powers. It has all the action-RPG hallmarks of its developer, Team Ninja.
7Thymesia
A Shorter Experience
While not necessarily the biggest and best Soulslike experience out there, Thmesia is a great game to turn to for fans of the genre who feel as if they’ve played everything on offer. The game offers a familiar world design, combat, and even UI as you travel through an oppressive world.
Thymesiais definitely beautiful, and it does ask you to take on some tricky bosses, but it might feel a bit too heavily inspired by Dark Souls for some. If you’re looking for more games that are almost identical to Dark Souls, then this game might just be exactly what you need.
Thymesia
Thymesia is a Soulslike action RPG set in the Kingdom of Hermes, where a plague has gripped the land. As Corvus, you must harness this plague to save the kingdom from ruin.
6Hollow Knight
One Of The Best Indie Games
WhileHollow Knightmay not play like most Soulslike games out there, it does share many of the same elements of the genre. You really do need to put in some serious effort to understand the shockingly deep plot of this seemingly simplistic game.
The game has been loved since its launch and for good reason; every aspect of the game has clearly had a lot of love and care put into it. The unique 2D art style may be hard to come to grips with if you’re used to 3D, but the developers managed to make each encounter thrilling.
Hollow Knight
A Metroidvania adventure, Hollow Knight is a challenging 2D platformer that sees you play as the Knight as he wanders the grey environments of the Hallownest. You must battle the infected insects who reside there and discover a way to reverse the decay that pervades everything.
5Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Probably The Hardest
While many of the other efforts from FromSoftware could be considered to technically be Souls games,Sekiro: Shadows Die Twiceis often seen as its own game, earning it a spot here. The game will feel similar to Dark Souls, though it additionally features aspects of stealth.
Like various other Soulslike, this game offers plenty of tricky bosses and a story that is only as rewarding as the effort you’re willing to put in to fully grasp the events. There are a few different endings it’s possible to get, and the better you get the more the game will surprise you.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Bringing classic FromSoftware gameplay to feudal Japan, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice sees a lone shinobi, Wolf, seek revenge. You must take on formidable bosses along the way, using all your skills to survive and conquer.
4Blasphemous 2
A Work Of Art
If you somehow missed the fantastic original Blasphemous, now is a great time to jump into the series withBlasphemous 2. Both games could be said to be fascinatinglyunique marriages of the Metroidvaniaand Soulslike genres to create one of the most fulfilling 2D experiences out there.
Both games are easily some of the most distinct games on a visual level, and though the combat won’t offer you the same kind of depth as you’d get from Dark Souls, you will still have a blast exploring the world and uncovering what’s going on in the gothic world of ruin.
