Summary
Dark Soulsmay have started as a niche game with a cult following, but it soon grew in popularity with bigger, higher-budget entries, eventually spawning an entire sub-genre with its high difficulty curve, intuitive and strategic slow-burning combat, focus on exploration, and RPG mechanics.
While not every game that dubs itself a “Soulslike” includes everything thatDark Soulsdid so well, these games are reminiscent ofDark Soulsin more ways than one, often taking inspiration from the game’s boss battles, hauntingly beautiful world, and (most often) its combat system.
This side-scrolling Metroidvania may feature plenty of classic platforming action, but its unforgiving hack-and-slash combat, dark themes, focus on exploration, and tough boss fights make it a great game for fans ofDark Soulsand Metroidvanias alike.
The game’s detailed pixel art makes for some fantastic visuals, and each animation is detailed enough to provide ample telegraphing and make combat feel weighty. Exploration inBlasphemouscan be a little frustrating at times, with some backtracking required, but the game’s atmosphere and great boss fights make it worth playing.
6White Lavender - A Minimalist Soulslike
Steam User Rating: 91%
This action RPG from developers Sokpop Collective, the burgeoning indie team behind games such asStacklands, is a wonderfully cute and colorful Soulslike with warbling 3D visuals that make it a joy to look at.
White Lavenderis a fairly short experience when compared to other games on this list, and it may have some balancing issues, but the game’s combat is solid, the bosses are inventive and fun to fight, and most importantly, the world is fun to explore. For fans of Soulslikes who are looking for a more lighthearted narrative, theme, and visual style,White Lavenderis worth a shot.
This grimy 2D Soulslike featuresa uniquely dark stylethat won’t be for everyone, but its methodical combat, dark world, and solid RPG mechanics make it one of the best 2D Soulslike games on Steam.
Salt & Sanctuaryleans hard into itsDark Soulsinfluences, and likeDark Souls, the game can be quite challenging at times.Salt & Sanctuary’sgreatest strength is arguably its solid RPG framework, allowing for a multitude of different builds and dramatically boosting the game’s replay value.
This 3D indie Soulslike game is unique for its distinct aesthetic and thematic hook. Players take control of a plague-doctor-themed character as they attempt to recover their memories and save the Kingdom.
Thymesiaalso features unique combat mechanics; when players deal damage to enemies, it is dealt as “wounds,” health that can be recovered unless removed permanently through different kinds of attacks. Furthermore, players can acquire different “plague weapons” by drawing them from enemies, temporarily gaining unique abilities.Thymesiais relatively short and light on exploration, but its great atmosphere and unique combat make it a distinctive Soulslike title.
3Titan Souls - A Short-But-Sweet Boss-Rush
Steam User Rating: 83%
This hyper-simplistic Soulslike takes the bare bones ofDark Soulscombat and distills it into a fine-tuned,streamlined boss-rush gamewith simple and intuitive combat. Every boss inTitan Soulsis large, unique, and fun to fight, which is good because fighting bosses is essentially all players will be doing.
Unlike most Soulslike games,Titan Soulsdoesn’t have much in between its boss fights other than some small environments visualized through great pixel art. However, for fans of Soulslike games whose favorite part of the genre is fighting bosses,Titan Soulsisa short but sweet experiencemade just for them.
2En Garde! - A Swashbuckling Adventure
Steam User Rating: 94%
This swashbucklingaction-adventure gamefeatures a bright and colorful visual style, wonderfully realized 3D environments, and a rock-solid, intuitive combat system that revolves around parrying and making use of the environment.
En Garde!is jam-packed with fast-paced fights; the game isn’t afraid to throw multiple enemies at the player, and does so often, forcing them to get creative and use the environment to their advantage. While the game’s combat and overall feel are certainly reminiscent of games likeDark Souls,En Garde!is light on the exploration and RPG elements that are so often a part of this genre. However, for those who are looking for Soulslike combat in an action-adventure setting,En Garde!is the perfect choice.
This 2D, bug-themed Metroidvania has players exploring an underground world populated by an ancient and decaying community of bugs and insects.Hollow Knightborrows ideas and themes from the narrative ofDark Soulsand combines them with itscharming bug-themeto create a haunting, contemplative atmosphere.
Hollow Knight’sworld is a joy to explore, in part thanks toits Metroidvania structure, but fans ofDark Soulswill get similar feelings when unlocking shortcuts and gaining access to exciting new areas.Hollow Knightalso features stand-out NPCs with strong personalities, and spotting a familiar face throughout the journey is a consistent reward for exploring.Hollow Knight’scombat is somewhat simplistic when compared to other, more RPG-focused Soulslike games, but for those who haven’t given it a go already,Hollow Knightis an experience that shouldn’t be missed.
