Best Games Like Dark Souls (2026)

FromSoftware’s Dark Souls redefined what challenging action-RPGs could be, and its influence now ripples across the entire industry. If you have finished the trilogy and crave that same mix of punishing combat, cryptic storytelling, and hard-won triumph, you are in luck. The “Soulslike” genre has matured into one of gaming’s richest categories, with dozens of standout entries.

This guide highlights the best games like Dark Souls worth playing in 2026, spanning FromSoftware’s own catalog and the strongest imitators that have carved out their own identity.

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Comparing the Best Games Like Dark Souls (2026)

Before we dive into details, here is a snapshot of eight excellent Soulslike titles and what sets each apart.

Our Top Picks for the Best Games Like Dark Souls (2026)

Each of these games captures the tension and satisfaction that made Dark Souls a phenomenon. Because precise inputs are everything in this genre, it is worth reading a gaming controller buying guide before you take on the tougher bosses.

Elden Ring: The Genre’s New Benchmark

Elden Ring is the natural next step for any Dark Souls fan. It takes the studio’s signature combat and stretches it across a colossal open world, giving you freedom to explore, grind, and approach challenges in almost any order. When a boss proves too tough, you can ride off, level up elsewhere, and return stronger. The Lands Between are dense with secrets, and the sheer scale makes it the most approachable FromSoftware game while still delivering brutal difficulty. It is essential.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Sekiro trades stamina management and armor builds for a razor-focused system built around deflection and posture. Instead of dodging, you clash blades, breaking your opponent’s guard through aggressive, rhythmic parrying. It is arguably the studio’s most demanding game, and mastering its combat is one of gaming’s great feelings. If you want something like Dark Souls that pushes reflexes to the limit, this is it.

Bloodborne: Gothic Horror Perfected

Bloodborne swaps the medieval setting for a nightmarish Victorian city overrun by beasts and cosmic dread. Its combat rewards aggression, with a regain system that lets you recover health by striking back quickly after taking damage. The atmosphere is unmatched, and the boss fights are legendary. A PS4 exclusive, it remains a must-play for anyone who loves the darker side of the genre.

Lies of P: A Polished Newcomer

Lies of P is the rare Soulslike that stands proudly beside FromSoftware’s work. Set in a decaying Belle Epoque city, it reimagines Pinocchio as a puppet fighting through a plague of hostile automatons. The combat is snappy, the weapon-assembly system encourages experimentation, and the production values are exceptional. For newcomers, a comfortable setup helps during long boss attempts, so consider a gaming chair buying guide.

Nioh 2: Loot-Driven Combat Depth

Nioh 2 layers a deep, stance-based combat system over a Diablo-style loot chase. Switching between high, mid, and low stances mid-fight opens up a staggering range of options, and the yokai abilities add supernatural flair. It is more systems-heavy than Dark Souls, which makes it a dream for players who love theorycrafting builds. Expect a steep learning curve and enormous replay value.

The Surge 2: Sci-Fi Dismemberment

The Surge 2 puts a science-fiction spin on the formula with a targeting system that lets you sever specific limbs to loot the gear you want. Cut off an armored arm and you can craft that same armor for yourself. Set in a locked-down city, it blends exploration and combat with a satisfying gear loop. To keep those frantic fights looking smooth, a high-refresh gaming monitor buying guide is worth a look.

Remnant 2: Guns Meet Souls

Remnant 2 proves the Soulslike formula works with firearms. It pairs the genre’s stamina-driven dodging and tough bosses with third-person gunplay and drop-in co-op for up to three players. Procedurally assembled worlds mean each playthrough differs, boosting replay value considerably. Precise aiming matters here, so a quality gaming mouse buying guide can make encounters far more manageable on PC.

Mortal Shell: A Tense Indie Take

Mortal Shell is a leaner, more atmospheric Soulslike built around a clever hardening mechanic that lets you freeze in place to absorb a hit and counterattack. You inhabit different “shells,” each a former warrior with its own stats and playstyle. It is shorter than the giants on this list but dense and memorable, making it a great palate cleanser between longer campaigns.

Choosing the Right Game Like Dark Souls (2026)

Your ideal pick depends on what you loved most about Dark Souls. If it was exploration and freedom, Elden Ring is the obvious choice. If it was tense one-on-one duels, Sekiro or Lies of P will scratch that itch. Prefer atmosphere above all? Bloodborne and Mortal Shell deliver dread in spades, while Nioh 2 and Remnant 2 reward players who crave deep systems and co-op. Whatever you choose, comfort and responsive hardware go a long way in a genre defined by split-second decisions, so a good gaming headset buying guide can help you hear every incoming attack.

The Soulslike genre keeps growing, but these eight represent the very best on offer right now. Pick one, embrace the challenge, and savor that unbeatable feeling of finally toppling a boss that had you stuck for hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are games like Dark Souls too hard for beginners?

They are challenging, but not impossible. Many modern Soulslikes such as Elden Ring offer flexible progression, letting you level up, summon help, or explore elsewhere when stuck. Patience and learning enemy patterns matter more than fast reflexes, and the sense of accomplishment after overcoming a tough section is exactly what draws newcomers in.

Which game like Dark Souls should I play first?

Elden Ring is the most beginner-friendly entry thanks to its open world, which lets you retreat and grind when a challenge feels overwhelming. If you prefer a more focused, linear experience, Lies of P is highly polished and approachable. Both capture the essence of Dark Souls while smoothing over some of the older games’ harsher edges.

Do Soulslike games have easy modes?

Most traditional Soulslikes avoid explicit difficulty sliders, but they include systems that let you effectively lower the challenge, such as summoning allies, leveling up, upgrading gear, or using specific builds. Games like Remnant 2 add co-op, and Elden Ring lets you avoid tough bosses entirely, giving players meaningful ways to manage difficulty.

What makes a game a Soulslike?

A Soulslike typically features deliberate, stamina-based combat, tough enemies, a currency you lose on death and must recover, interconnected level design, and cryptic environmental storytelling. Checkpoints that reset enemies and demanding boss fights are also hallmarks. The genre prizes mastery and risk-reward decision making over hand-holding, rewarding players who study patterns and improve over time.