Summary
Inspired by FromSoftware’s seminal Soulsborne series, the Soulslike genre has become a regular fixture of the gaming landscape. Every year, developers unleash brand-new adventures to immerse and challenge players worldwide. While only halfway through the decade, the 2020s have seen some of the best Soulslike releases, with many becoming big commercial hits.
Defined by their fast-paced combat mechanics, role-playing-like progression systems, andgrand gladiatorial boss fights, these are addictive gaming experiences with legions of fans. While often set in sprawling dark fantasy worlds with numerous hidden secrets, these games reward exploration with new items or secret boss fights. While once a niche genre for hardcore gamers, Soulslikes are now firmly a part of the mainstream gaming landscape.
This dark soulslike fantasy started the decade strong, with stunning visuals and solid gameplay. Set in a crumbling, nightmarish world, players control a shell, a humanoid creature that can inhabit dead warriors and harden their skin to stone. These bodies allow for various playstyles, as different bodies offer different abilities.
WhileMortal Shellis a cleartribute toDark Souls, it lacks the depth and smooth combat of the series. Its clunkier combat can be tough to perfect and may frustrate some players. However,Mortal Shelldoes feature some unique mechanics and memorable designs that mark it as a worthy addition to the soulslike genre. While the game could never be considered a classic, die-hard fans will love this darkly surreal fantasy offering.
This underrated soulslike gem,highly inspired by FromSoftware’sBloodborne, brings players to the plague-infected Kingdom of Hermes, where players control the mysterious Corvus, who takes on the plague-changed monsters roaming the world.
The game blends elements of bothBloodborneandSekirowith the latter’s parry system, and includes a high level of challenge that will please long-time fans. WhileThymesiadoes little to innovate the soulslike genre, its dark gothic visuals, solid fast-paced combat, and short playtime make it a worthwhile addition to any gamer’s library.
Inspired by Italian folklore,Enotria: The Last Songis a beautifully designed soulslike that offers a fun action experience. WhileEnotriafollows the standard soulslike template, with fast-paced combat and challenging boss fights, the game presents a stunning world with some unique mechanics.
Players control a Maskless One, a warrior whose abilities change with each new mask they wear. Players can create different loadouts with each mask, which can be changed during combat, offering quick choices against different enemies. While the game never strays too far from the familiar soulslike formula, its beautiful world and solid gameplay make it a fun addition for fans to play.
This superior reboot of the 2014 soulslike of the same name brings players to an epic dark fantasy world, filled with monsters and malevolent gods. While the game follows many ofthe traditions created byDark Souls, its unique two-world setting, fun combat, and epic enemy design make it a worthy addition to the genre.
In the game, players customize their Dark Crusader character as they explore a large interconnected world on a quest to defeat Adyr, the demon God. WhileLords of the Fallenmay not be the most original game, fans of the genre will love its gritty fantasy design and challenging boss fights.
A sequel to 2019’sStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, this popular series brought the soulslike formula to theStar Warsuniverse.Star Wars Jedi: Survivorimproves upon its predecessor in every way. The game follows Cal Kestis, a young Jedi Knight and survivor of the Great Jedi Purge.
In the game, five years on from the events ofFallen Order, Cal and his crew continue to survive the growing threat of the Empire, as they are pushed to the very edge of the galaxy.Star Wars Jedi: Survivoris more narrative-driven than many soulslike titles, but still brings all the challenge and skill required for the genre. The famoussci-fi universeis a nice change of pace from the usual dark fantasy settings, while its fun lightsaber and force combat will please many hardcore fans of theStar Warsfranchise.
Building on the gunslinging gameplay of the original,Remnant 2is an action-packed soulslike that presents an immersive, procedurally generated world. Unlike other games in the genre, shooting is a big part ofRemnant 2, with players able to wield two guns alongside melee weapons.
The game also has a greater emphasis on co-op play than other soulslikes, with teams of three able to take on the various monsters and bosses of the world. The game follows on from the original, with players controlling The Traveler as they explore post-apocalyptic Earth after a deadly evil, known as the Root, has decimated the planet. With its unique setting and gameplay mechanics, it stands as one of the most original releases of its kind.
This unique addition to the soulslike genre is loosely based on the 1883 novel,The Adventures of Pinocchio. It follows the puppet’s adventure through the city of Krat, as a plague spreads through the population amid a puppet uprising.
Lies of Pwas a commercial and critical hit, with players loving its unique take on the Souls formula. The game’s dark fantasy-style puppet enemies are a nice change from the monsters and undead commonly seen in the genre, and its combat is smooth, with lots of variation for different playstyles.Lies of Pis a challenging game, and its endgame sections require a lot of patience. However, the game is one of the best soulslikes outside of the core Soulsborne titles and is a must-play for fans of the genre.
In this challenging action RPG, players take on the role of Khazan, the great general of the Pell Los Empire, as he explores the continent of Arad on a mission of revenge.
The First Berserker: Khazanpresents a bleak, cell-shaded world, with an excellent progression system, and fast and varied combat mechanics, against enemies that willchallenge even genre veterans.The First Berserkeris one of the strongest soulslike releases in recent years and nails the action RPG formula. Longtime genre fans will love the unique-looking game that hits on every level.
While the soulslike status ofBlack Myth: Wukonghas been widely argued among fans, it undoubtedly has many similarities to the popular genre. Considered the first AAA game from a Chinese developer,Black Mythoffers brilliant action gameplay, a stunning and detailed world, and a sweeping story ofgods and monsters.
Based on the Chinese legend of Sun Wukong, also known as The Monkey King,Black Mythbrings players into the ancient Chinese landscape where they control the Destined One on his journey to recover the six relics. The game was met with critical and financial success on release and won numerous awards.
While many developers have attempted to recreate FromSoftware’s winning formula, they remain the genre’s undisputed stars.Elden Ringwas also a worldwide critical and commercial hit.
This stunning open-world game blends epic boss battles, intuitive gameplay, beautiful backdrops, and an expansive, sweeping narrative. Players will find elements from the entire Soulsborne series inElden Ring. However, the game is a massive step forward for the developers as their first large-scale open world.Elden Ringis unarguably one of the best video games ever made and a testament to FromSoftware’s enduring legacy.
