Top Ten Best Soulslike Games Ever Made

Soulslike games borrow the core ideas made popular by FromSoftware but apply them in new worlds, systems, and genres. These games focus on challenging combat, stamina management, checkpoint based progression, meaningful punishment for death, and learning through repetition. Below are the ten best non Souls games that genuinely earn the soulslike label.

Lies of P

Lies of P is often considered the gold standard for modern non FromSoftware soulslike games. It captures the weight, tension, and rhythm of souls combat without feeling like a shallow imitation.

Combat revolves around precision, stamina control, and perfectly timed guards. The game encourages aggression but punishes recklessness, forcing players to learn enemy patterns and respond intelligently. Boss encounters are tightly designed and escalate in complexity, demanding focus and adaptation.

The dark reimagining of the Pinocchio story adds a surprisingly strong narrative layer. Its steampunk city setting feels cohesive, oppressive, and carefully structured. Lies of P does not merely borrow souls mechanics. It understands why they work.

Nioh 2

Nioh 2 takes the soulslike framework and pushes mechanical depth far beyond most competitors. While it shares checkpoints, stamina based combat, and brutal difficulty, it introduces a complex stance system that dramatically changes how fights unfold.

Players can switch between high, mid, and low stances, each offering different attack speeds, damage values, and defensive options. Combined with deep skill trees, weapon variety, and yokai abilities, combat becomes highly expressive.

Nioh 2 is demanding and sometimes overwhelming, but for players who enjoy mastery and technical combat systems, it offers unmatched depth within the soulslike space.

Hollow Knight

Hollow Knight proves that soulslike design translates perfectly into two dimensions. Despite its simple controls, the game demands precision, patience, and careful exploration.

Death has consequences, checkpoints are limited, and the world reveals its story subtly through environment and encounters rather than exposition. Boss fights test reflexes and pattern recognition just as harshly as any 3D soulslike.

Its hand drawn art style, haunting soundtrack, and emotionally heavy atmosphere elevate the experience. Hollow Knight stands as one of the most influential indie games ever made, not just within the soulslike genre.

The Surge 2

The Surge 2 brings soulslike combat into a futuristic sci fi setting. Instead of medieval weapons, players fight with mechanical limbs and energy based gear.

Its directional targeting system allows players to aim for specific enemy body parts to earn upgrades, adding a strategic layer to every encounter.

The Surge 2 significantly improved on the original and stands as a strong modern soulslike.

Salt and Sanctuary

Often described as Dark Souls in two dimensions, Salt and Sanctuary delivers grim atmosphere, punishing combat, and meaningful character builds.

The game rewards careful positioning and knowledge of enemy patterns. Its dark art style and oppressive tone stay faithful to soulslike identity.

It remains one of the best indie soulslike experiences.

Remnant From the Ashes

Remnant From the Ashes proves that soulslike mechanics work outside melee focused combat. It blends stamina based dodging, checkpoint resets, and brutal boss fights with third person shooter mechanics.

Ammo management replaces stamina pressure, while enemy encounters still demand positioning, awareness, and pattern recognition. Bosses are aggressive, chaotic, and often overwhelming without preparation.

Procedurally generated levels increase replayability, and cooperative play adds a unique social element rarely seen in the genre. Remnant stands out as one of the most innovative soulslike adaptations.

Mortal Shell

Mortal Shell focuses on quality over quantity. Its unique hardening mechanic allows players to temporarily turn to stone during combat, creating new defensive strategies.

The game is slower and more methodical than many soulslikes, with a heavy emphasis on timing and positioning.

Despite its smaller scope, Mortal Shell delivers a strong atmospheric experience.

Code Vein

Code Vein combines anime inspired visuals with traditional soulslike gameplay. Its build flexibility allows players to switch classes freely, encouraging experimentation.

While easier than many soulslikes due to AI companions, the game still delivers challenging encounters and memorable boss fights.

Code Vein appeals to players who enjoy narrative driven action RPGs.

Blasphemous

Blasphemous merges soulslike combat with brutal pixel art and religious horror themes. Combat is unforgiving, checkpoints are limited, and bosses demand precision.

Its visual style and disturbing imagery give it a distinct identity, while its difficulty stays true to the genre.

Blasphemous is a standout example of soulslike design in a 2D format.

Thymesia

Thymesia focuses on fast paced combat built around parries, status effects, and aggressive play. It strips down RPG systems to emphasize pure skill and timing.

While shorter than many titles on this list, its boss fights and combat mechanics are well executed.

Thymesia shows how focused design can still deliver a strong soulslike experience.

True soulslike games are not about copying Dark Souls. They are about respecting challenge, trusting player skill, and creating tension through risk and reward.

These ten games represent the best examples of that philosophy outside FromSoftware’s own catalog. Each one brings its own ideas while staying faithful to what makes soulslike games memorable and rewarding.