The best soulslike games are Elden Ring, Dark Souls III, Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, with strong picks from other studios further down this list.
“Soulslike” games are named after FromSoftware’s Dark Souls. They are tough action games where every enemy can kill you, you learn from every death, and checkpoints are rare. Beating a boss you have failed against twenty times is one of the best feelings in gaming.
Here are our picks, from essential classics to great places to start. Below the list, you will find a comparison table, tips for surviving your first one, and answers to the most common questions.
What makes a game a soulslike?
There is no official definition, but most games in the genre share a few ideas:
- Hard, fair combat. Enemies hit hard, but their attacks follow patterns you can learn.
- Rare checkpoints. Resting at a checkpoint refills your health, but most enemies come back too.
- Losing your currency when you die. You usually get one chance to return and pick it up again.
- Stamina management. Attacking, blocking and dodging all cost stamina, so you can’t just mash buttons.
If that sounds frustrating rather than fun, start with one of the friendlier picks below.
1. Elden Ring
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S · Released: 2022
The best place to start for most people. The huge open world means that if a boss is too hard, you can ride off, explore, get stronger and come back later. Add the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion and you have well over 100 hours of adventure.
Elden Ring won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2022. Spirit Ashes let you summon computer-controlled helpers in many boss fights, which takes some pressure off newcomers. Shadow of the Erdtree arrived in June 2024 and is much harder than the base game, so save it for later. Our Elden Ring beginner tips cover the first hours in detail.
Best for: everyone, including beginners.
2. Dark Souls III
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One · Released: 2016
Faster and smoother than the earlier Souls games, with some of the best boss fights FromSoftware has made. A great “next step” after Elden Ring.
Best for: players who want classic, level-by-level Souls design.
3. Bloodborne
Platforms: PS4 (playable on PS5) · Released: 2015
Gothic horror, fast combat and a dark, mysterious story. Instead of hiding behind a shield, you attack aggressively to win back health.
That aggressive style can feel strange if you are used to blocking. Once it clicks, few action games feel as intense. Bloodborne never came to PC or Xbox, so it is a strong reason to keep a PlayStation around.
Best for: PlayStation owners who like horror and fast fights.
4. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One · Released: 2019
Less about stats and more about pure skill. Sekiro is built around sword clashes and perfectly timed deflections. It is hard, but incredibly satisfying when it clicks.
It won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2019. There is no online co-op to call for help, so every victory is yours alone.
Best for: players who want a skill test with no shortcuts.
5. Lies of P
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S · Released: 2023
A dark take on Pinocchio, set in a beautiful, ruined city. It is one of the best soulslikes not made by FromSoftware, with excellent bosses and a clever weapon-building system.
A free 2025 update added difficulty options for all players, including an easier mode called Butterfly’s Guidance. That makes it a rare soulslike you can tune to your own skill level.
Best for: fans who have finished the FromSoftware games and want more.
6. Hollow Knight: Silksong
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 · Released: 2025
The long-awaited sequel to Hollow Knight. A 2D action game with fast, acrobatic combat, gorgeous hand-drawn art and many tough bosses.
It is generally harder than the first game, so newcomers may prefer to start with the original.
Best for: players who prefer 2D games.
7. Hollow Knight
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch · Released: 2017
Still one of the best value games you can buy: cheap, huge and full of secrets. If you haven’t played it, start here before Silksong.
Best for: anyone on a budget.
8. Nioh 2
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5 · Released: 2020
Samurai action with lots of loot and deep combat systems. More complex than Souls, but very rewarding once you learn it.
Best for: players who love loot and combat depth.
9. Dark Souls Remastered
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch · Released: 2018 (original 2011)
The one that started it all. The way its world connects is still amazing today. It feels older and slower, but it is essential history.
Best for: players who want to see where the genre came from.
10. Lords of the Fallen
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S · Released: 2023
Its big idea is two worlds that you can switch between: the world of the living and the world of the dead. It is ambitious and looks great.
Best for: players who want something new in the formula.
11. Elden Ring Nightreign
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S · Released: 2025
A co-op spin-off where three players race through a shrinking map before facing a big boss. Short runs, lots of replay.
Best for: playing a soulslike with friends.
12. Blasphemous 2
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch · Released: 2023
A dark, beautiful 2D action game with pixel art and brutal bosses.
Best for: fans of 2D games and dark art styles.
Good to know: Many soulslikes let you call in help for tough bosses, either other players or computer-controlled allies. Using help is part of the design, not cheating, so try it if one boss blocks your progress.
All 12 soulslikes compared
| Game | Style | Difficulty for newcomers (our view) | Play with friends? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elden Ring | 3D open world | Medium | Yes, online co-op |
| Dark Souls III | 3D levels | High | Yes, online co-op |
| Bloodborne | 3D levels, fast | High | Yes, online co-op |
| Sekiro | 3D, skill-based | Very high | No |
| Lies of P | 3D levels | Adjustable | No |
| Hollow Knight: Silksong | 2D | High | No |
| Hollow Knight | 2D | Medium to high | No |
| Nioh 2 | 3D missions, loot | High | Yes, online co-op |
| Dark Souls Remastered | 3D connected world | High | Yes, online co-op |
| Lords of the Fallen | 3D, two worlds | Medium to high | Yes, online co-op |
| Elden Ring Nightreign | 3D co-op runs | Medium | Built for it |
| Blasphemous 2 | 2D pixel art | Medium to high | No |
Tips for your first soulslike
These habits help in almost every game on the list:
- Watch before you attack. Spend the first attempts at a boss just dodging and learning its moves.
- Don’t get greedy. Hit once or twice, then back off. Most deaths happen when you try for one more hit.
- Keep an eye on stamina. Always leave enough to dodge or block.
- Spend your currency often. Level up or buy items at checkpoints so you have less to lose.
- Explore when you are stuck. A new weapon, an upgrade or a shortcut can make a hard area much easier.
- Take breaks. Frustration makes you play worse. Come back tomorrow and the boss often falls quickly.
If you use a controller, check it is in good shape too. A drifting stick can ruin precise dodges, and our guide on how to fix controller stick drift can help.
Which soulslike should you play first?
- Total beginner: Elden Ring
- Small budget: Hollow Knight
- Only have a Switch: Hollow Knight or Silksong
- Want the hardest skill test: Sekiro
- Want to play with friends: Elden Ring Nightreign
If you want more big worlds after these, browse our list of the best open-world games, or try something gentler from our best story RPGs.
Die, learn, try again. That’s the whole genre, and it’s brilliant.
From PixelAlex: If you’re new to the genre, don’t be discouraged by early deaths. Every attempt teaches you something, and that learning curve is exactly what makes these games so rewarding.
Read next: Hollow Knight beginner tips · 15 best action RPGs · 15 games with the best boss fights
Quick answers
What is the easiest soulslike for beginners? Elden Ring is the most forgiving for most people, because you can explore elsewhere and come back stronger. Lies of P is also a good choice thanks to its easier difficulty setting.
What is the hardest soulslike? Many players consider Sekiro the toughest, because levelling up can’t make up for a lack of skill.
Do I need to play Dark Souls in order? No. Each game tells its own story, so you can start with any of them.
Are there soulslike games on Nintendo Switch? Yes. Hollow Knight, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Dark Souls Remastered and Blasphemous 2 are all on Switch.
Is Elden Ring Nightreign good for solo players? It is built around three-player co-op, so it shines most with friends.
Which one is your favourite? Tell us in the comments.
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