Summary
Gamers around the world have embraced the Soulslike trend ever sinceDark Soulsleft its mark. While fans wait for a new mainline entry of a Soulsborne title, they can still tide themselves over with a sea of Soulslike games. The sales numbers prove that there are no signs of genre fatigue, and the audience is clearly hungry for more. However, it’s worth noting that while many game devs take inspiration from the gameplay mechanics of Soulsborne titles,their notorious difficulty alienatesa large portion of the gaming community.
The “git-gud” flex is funny and all (within reason), but sometimes, gamers just want a Soulslike game where they can play without stress. There are quite a few Soulslike titles without the outrageous difficulty spike, which makes them fun from the get-go. Players can just boot the game and not worry too much about a steep learning curve. Some Soulslike don’t need players to have pro-gamer muscle memory or lightning reflexes to enjoy their time, but they’re not a cakewalk either. It’s the perfect balance that draws gamers to them.
Players looking to dip their toes into the realm of Soulslike games that are immediately fun will loveMortal Shell. This modest game might not offer colorful visuals or the polish of other exciting AAA action titles, but it’s still an amazing gem.Mortal Shell’s hook lies in the tense combat scenarios where players have to quickly switch “shells” on the fly to attack enemies. Shells are essentially character build archetypes that players must use contextually in the heat of combat.
Another significant gameplay feature is the Hardening mechanic, which can tank almost any enemy attack the first time. Instead of relying on blocking, players need to master Hardening to avoid damage and death. Mastering these two core mechanics inMortal Shellis a rewarding experience and serves as the perfectmiddle ground between Soulslike and full-blown Soulsborne.
Jedi: Fallen Orderwears its Metroidvania inspiration on its sleeve in addition to its Soulslike roots. Players are in for a heartfelt story set within theStar Warsuniverse, and the gameplay aspect also has been crafted with care. It shines because of its fantastic game design that explains the gameplay mechanics andthen lets players figure things outindependently. Exploration is a vital and fun part of the experience, often rewarding players for it.
As for combat, the fast-paced action will keep players glued to the screen — spatial awareness is necessary for surviving enemy onslaughts from all sides. The Jedi ability upgrades and defensive techniques feel intuitive and satisfying to master.Fallen Orderoffers the perfect catharsis for fans seeking a power fantasy experience within a Soulslike framework.
Code Veinis a Soulslike with broad appealthat targets gamers as well as anime fans. It helps that it’s also one of the most balanced Soulslikes out there. While the enemy AI is unforgiving and unrelenting, players have plenty of options to overcome the challenge. For one, they have access to a companion that they can recruit to fight alongside them. This inclusion adds depth and layers to the gameplay and encourages players to experiment with different weapons and playstyles.
Visually,Code Veinhas a distinct anime-inspired style, and players can indulge in “fashion-souls." It basically refers to equipping characters with stylish or cosplay-worthy outfits over purely practical gear. Every landed attack feels awesome, thanks to the flashy animations and weighty movement that elevate it above many other Soulslikes.
Spiders, the devs behindBound byFlameandGreedfall, are known for their janky-yet-charming AA RPGs. WithSteelrising, they took a swing at a Soulslike and knocked it out of the park. Sure, their signature jank is still present, but the brisk nature of the gameplay keeps things fun and satisfying. While flaws like unbalanced OP builds can break immersion for veteran players, from a pure enjoyment standpoint,Steelrisingdelivers.
It has all the standard trappings of a Soulslike: a decent challenge, tough enemies,and build variety. But it never goes overboard. The alternative historical setting offers a refreshing change of scenery, and the branching narrative offers replayability. Player decisions shape the game’s ending, leading to one of three epilogues.
Remnant 2is easily one of the most accessible Soulslike experiences for gamers, and it essentially reinvents the genre’s wheel. Whilethere is an option for a melee build, the real fun inRemnant 2is the incorporation of its third-person shooter action into a Soulslike setting.Remnant 2successfully keeps players engaged at all times, thanks to the procedural map generation. Randomized levels, puzzles, enemies, and loot make sure no two runs feel the same.
Remnant 2also adds one of the most fun and creative character skill customizations in recent memory. The various combinations of perks, armor, weapons, and accessories open up several powerful buffs and upgrades. Players can mix and match to find the style that resonates with them. Creating unique and overpowered builds inRemnant 2and mowing down enemies is an absolute delight. There’s also the co-op mode, which instantly ups the fun factor.
For gamers wanting a more modernized take on the Soulslike genre,The Surge 2will fulfill that wish. Although, be warned that it does demand extra focus and mastery of its combat system. Thegame requires learning about the different enemiesand their physical forms to upgrade the player character. Specifically, players must avoid enemy attacks while targeting their specific limbs or body parts — they have their own health bars.
Once the intact parts are cut and looted, they are used to upgrade the player character’s weapons and armor. The true test of skill is navigating the perilous environment while avoiding different enemy types as they wait in ambush and launch persistent attacks.The Surge 2is for fans of Soulslike who want a more challenging experience but with more wiggle room for messing up.
Darksiders 3, much like its predecessors, is one of the most criminally underrated video games of all time. The third entry in the franchise stars Fury, the last of the Nephilim race and one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse! Gameplay-wise,Darksiders 3draws inspiration fromCastlevaniawith a Soulslike twist —precision and positioning to strike at enemiesand avoid their overwhelming numbers. Fury primarily uses a whip named Scorn, which is a very versatile weapon capable of targeting foes at most ranges.
She also has secondary weapons tied to her different “Hollow” forms that she unlocks throughout the story.Darksiders 3also takes afterThe Legend of Zelda, emphasizing exploration. The world is filled with secrets and treasures, often behind intricate puzzles, requiring lots of backtracking. It’s a fun Soulslike game with a likable protagonist who grows even more powerful as her epic tale unfolds.
When playingElden Ringfor the first time, players can expect an almost overwhelming sense of freedom. Everything feels grandiose, asElden Ringdemands a high-risk, high-reward mentality from players. The deceptive world layoutcatches players off guardwith massive enemies patrolling at every turn. The character customization is deep, and players are essentially required to fine-tune their builds for maximum efficiency.
Elden Ringis more accessible than any of the Soulsborne titles that came before it, and players can go about the quests in almost any order. This allows players to have fun early in the game and familiarize themselves with the level layout. Lately,Elden Ringis going through a resurgence, with its upcoming standalone co-op roguelite title,Elden Ring: Nightreign. However, for a more traditional Soulslike experience,Elden Ringis undoubtedly unmatched.
