14 Best Soulslike Games in 2026, Ranked by Playstyle

The best soulslike game is still Elden Ring. FromSoftware’s open-world epic, especially with the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, has not been topped. If you want the best soulslike from another studio, Lies of P is the most polished choice, and the best new soulslike of 2026 is Nioh 3, which Team Ninja released in February on PS5 and PC.

This guide covers 14 of the best soulslike games across PlayStation, Xbox, PC and Switch, from FromSoftware’s own classics to the strongest challengers and the 2026 releases worth your time. For each game you get the platforms, the combat style and who it suits best. Further down you will find a comparison table, an explanation of what makes a game a soulslike, the best starting points for beginners and answers to common questions.

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Best Soulslike Games at a Glance

• Best overall: Elden Ring
• Best atmosphere: Bloodborne
• Best combat system: Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
• Best non-FromSoftware soulslike: Lies of P
• Best new soulslike of 2026: Nioh 3
• Best for boss fights: Black Myth: Wukong
• Best co-op soulslike: Remnant 2
• Best 2D soulslike: Hollow Knight
• Best for beginners: Another Crab’s Treasure

Quick Comparison Table

1. Elden Ring: Best Soulslike Game Overall

Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | Genre: Open-world action RPG | Developer: FromSoftware | Released: 2022 (Shadow of the Erdtree expansion 2024)

Elden Ring - PlayStation 5

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Elden Ring took everything FromSoftware learned from Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls and Bloodborne and opened it up into a vast world called the Lands Between. You can ride across open fields on your spectral steed, explore ruins and caves, and simply leave a boss that is too hard to come back later with a stronger build. That freedom is what makes it both the best soulslike and the most approachable FromSoftware game.

Build variety is enormous: sorcery, faith-based incantations, giant weapons, bleed builds, dual katanas and summonable Spirit Ashes all change how fights play. The Shadow of the Erdtree expansion added a huge new region and some of the hardest bosses the studio has ever designed, and it is widely considered one of the best expansions ever made. It also sold tens of millions of copies, which says a lot about how far it pushed the genre into the mainstream.

• Why it fits: the genre at its peak, with the freedom to go around a wall instead of through it.
• Skip it if: you want a short, tightly guided experience.

2. Bloodborne: Best Atmosphere

Platforms: PS4 (playable on PS5) | Genre: Gothic action RPG | Developer: FromSoftware | Released: 2015

Bloodborne - Game of the Year (PS4)

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Bloodborne swaps shields and slow, careful turtling for aggression. Its rally system lets you regain lost health by striking back quickly after being hit, so the game constantly pushes you forward. Trick weapons that transform mid-combo, plus a gun used for parrying, make fights feel fast and stylish.

The city of Yharnam, with its Victorian streets and creeping cosmic horror, is one of the most memorable settings in games. It remains a PS4 exclusive with no official remaster, so a PS4 or PS5 is the only way to play it. The Game of the Year edition includes The Old Hunters expansion, which contains some of the best bosses in the game.

• Why it fits: the most aggressive and atmospheric FromSoftware design.
• Skip it if: you do not own a PlayStation, or locked 30fps performance bothers you.

3. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice: Best Combat System

Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC | Genre: Action adventure | Developer: FromSoftware | Released: 2019

Sekiro Shadows Die Twice (PS4)

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Sekiro is the most focused combat game FromSoftware has made. Instead of whittling down health bars, you deflect enemy attacks with precise timing to break their posture, then land a single deathblow. Fights become rhythmic sword duels where reading animations matters more than stats.

There are no character builds or multiplayer, which makes it harder to brute force than Elden Ring. But when the parry system clicks, few action games feel better. It won Game of the Year at The Game Awards in 2019, and its final bosses are still talked about as some of the toughest in the genre.

• Why it fits: the purest skill test in the soulslike world.
• Skip it if: you want the option to grind levels or summon help.

4. Dark Souls Trilogy: Best Classic Soulslike

Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC (Dark Souls Remastered also on Switch) | Genre: Action RPG | Developer: FromSoftware | Released: 2011 to 2016

Dark Souls Trilogy (PS4)

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The term soulslike comes from these games. Dark Souls introduced the interconnected world of Lordran, where shortcuts loop back to bonfires and the map folds in on itself. Dark Souls II expanded build options, and Dark Souls III refined the combat into the fastest, most polished version of the formula.

The PS4 trilogy bundle is the easiest way to play all three on console. If you only play one, Dark Souls III has the best combat and bosses, while the original Dark Souls has the most celebrated world design. On Switch, Dark Souls Remastered lets you take Lordran on the go.

• Why it fits: the foundation of the entire genre, still excellent today.
• Skip it if: slower, heavier combat feels dated to you.

5. Lies of P: Best Non-FromSoftware Soulslike

Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Mac | Genre: Action RPG | Developer: Round8 Studio / Neowiz | Released: 2023

Lies of P - PlayStation 5

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Lies of P is a dark retelling of Pinocchio set in Krat, a Belle Epoque city overrun by murderous puppets. It wears its Bloodborne influence openly, but its systems are distinct. Perfect guards reward precise timing, and the weapon assembly system lets you combine blades and handles to build your own weapons with different move sets.

The boss design is the standout, with several fights considered as good as anything FromSoftware has made. It later received the Overture expansion, which added a prequel story and new bosses. If you have finished the FromSoftware catalog and want something with the same quality bar, start here.

• Why it fits: polished combat, superb bosses and a strong identity of its own.
• Skip it if: you want an open world.

6. Nioh 3: Best New Soulslike of 2026

Platforms: PS5, PC | Genre: Action RPG | Developer: Team Ninja | Released: February 6, 2026

Nioh 3 - Steelbook Launch Edition [PS5]

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Nioh 3 is the strongest soulslike release of 2026 so far. Team Ninja builds on the fast, technical combat of the first two games, with stance switching, Ki management and a heavy loot system, and moves the series toward larger open areas you can explore more freely. The result keeps the depth that series fans love while giving the world more room to breathe.

Critics broadly agreed it met or exceeded expectations, and the game passed a million copies sold across PS5 and PC within months. A free post-launch update added very hard challenge content for experienced players. If you enjoy deep build crafting and fast combos, it is the best new game in the genre this year.

• Why it fits: the fastest, most technical combat on this list, with huge loot depth.
• Skip it if: loot management and many overlapping systems feel overwhelming.

7. Black Myth: Wukong: Best for Boss Fights

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC | Genre: Action RPG | Developer: Game Science | Released: 2024

Black Myth: Wukong - PlayStation 5

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Based on Journey to the West, Black Myth: Wukong casts you as the Destined One, a staff-wielding monkey warrior facing a parade of mythological bosses. It is more linear and more cinematic than most soulslikes, with stunning visuals and a focus on spectacular encounters rather than exploration.

Transformations, spells and three staff stances give combat variety, and the boss roster is huge. It is often called soulslike-adjacent because it is more forgiving about death and progression, which makes it a good bridge for action fans who find FromSoftware games too punishing. It also became one of the best-selling games in the genre.

• Why it fits: an enormous, beautiful boss rush wrapped in Chinese mythology.
• Skip it if: you want deep exploration and interconnected levels.

8. Mortal Shell II: Best Indie Soulslike Sequel

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC | Genre: Action RPG | Developer: Cold Symmetry | Released: August 20, 2026

Mortal Shell II - PlayStation 5

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The original Mortal Shell stood out with its shell system, which let you possess different fallen warriors with unique stats and abilities, and a hardening mechanic that turns you to stone to absorb a hit. The sequel, published by Playstack, expands that formula with a larger world and more ambitious presentation.

It launched in August 2026 to positive reviews, making it one of the freshest soulslikes you can buy. If you want something darker and more grounded than Nioh 3 but shorter than Elden Ring, it is an excellent pick.

• Why it fits: unique shell and hardening systems from a studio that understands the genre.
• Skip it if: you prefer bright, colorful worlds.

9. The First Berserker: Khazan: Best for Hardcore Players

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC | Genre: Action RPG | Developer: Neople | Released: 2025

The First Berserker: Khazan - Play Station 5

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Set in the Dungeon Fighter Online universe, Khazan is a mission-based soulslike built around brutal, aggressive combat. Its brink guard and stamina-attack systems reward precise deflects, and bosses hit very hard. It uses a cel-shaded art style that helps it look different from the grim realism of most rivals.

It is regularly recommended to players who have mastered Sekiro and want another demanding fight-focused game. The level design is more linear, but the boss roster is a standout.

• Why it fits: some of the most demanding boss fights outside FromSoftware.
• Skip it if: you want exploration over combat.

10. Code Vein II: Best Anime Soulslike

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC | Genre: Action RPG | Developer: Bandai Namco Studios | Released: January 29, 2026

Code Vein II continues the vampire-flavored, anime-styled take on the genre. Its big change is a partner system: AI companions fight beside you and shape how you approach encounters, which makes it more forgiving than solo-focused soulslikes. Character creation is deep, and build options are flexible.

Reviews were mixed, but its stylized presentation and companion focus make it a good choice for players who want soulslike structure without feeling alone against every boss.

• Why it fits: a friendlier, companion-driven soulslike with anime style.
• Skip it if: you want a lean, punishing solo challenge.

11. Remnant 2: Best Co-Op and Shooter Soulslike

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC | Genre: Third-person shooter RPG | Developer: Gunfire Games | Released: 2023

Remnant 2 - PlayStation 5

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Remnant 2 takes soulslike structure, checkpoints, dodging, tough bosses and dangerous enemies, and builds it around guns. Worlds are procedurally assembled, so different players see different areas, bosses and secrets. It supports co-op for up to three players, which makes it the best soulslike to play with friends.

Archetypes and secret classes give it strong replay value, and its expansions added even more worlds. If melee timing is not your thing but you love the tension of the genre, this is the answer.

• Why it fits: soulslike tension with gunplay and full co-op.
• Skip it if: you want melee-focused sword fights.

12. Hollow Knight: Best 2D Soulslike

Platforms: PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One | Genre: Metroidvania | Developer: Team Cherry | Released: 2017

Hollow Knight - For Nintendo Switch

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Hollow Knight brings soulslike ideas such as dropping your currency on death, cryptic lore and demanding bosses into a hand-drawn 2D Metroidvania. Hallownest is a huge underground kingdom full of secrets, and the combat is fast and precise.

It costs very little for the amount of content it offers, and its long-awaited sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong, finally released in 2025. Start with the original if you are new to the series.

• Why it fits: the best 2D take on soulslike design, with incredible value.
• Skip it if: you only want 3D action.

13. Another Crab’s Treasure: Best Soulslike for Beginners

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox, Switch | Genre: Action adventure | Developer: Aggro Crab | Released: 2024

Another Crab’s Treasure is a colorful, funny underwater soulslike where you play a hermit crab who uses trash as a shell. Shells act as armor and grant special abilities, and the game offers optional assist settings, including a mode that lets you tune difficulty or even give yourself a gun.

It keeps the core ideas of the genre, such as checkpoints, stamina and dropped currency, while being far less grim. It is the ideal first soulslike for younger players or anyone intimidated by the genre’s reputation.

• Why it fits: genuine soulslike design with optional accessibility settings.
• Skip it if: you want dark fantasy and maximum difficulty.

14. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers: Best Historical Dark Fantasy

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC | Genre: Action RPG | Developer: Leenzee | Released: 2025

Wuchang is set during the late Ming dynasty, where a strange affliction turns people into monsters. You play as a pirate warrior with several weapon types and a madness system that changes how enemies and allies react to you. Its level design is closer to classic Dark Souls than many other modern challengers.

It is a good choice once you have finished the bigger names on this list and want another serious, atmospheric soulslike with a fresh setting.

• Why it fits: a traditional soulslike structure with an uncommon historical setting.
• Skip it if: you have not yet played Elden Ring or Lies of P, which should come first.

More Soulslikes Worth a Look

• Demon’s Souls (PS5): Bluepoint’s 2020 remake of the game that started it all.
• Nioh 2 and The Nioh Collection: the best way to catch up before Nioh 3.
• Lords of the Fallen (2023): a dual-world dark fantasy soulslike with a big map.
• Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Survivor: soulslike-lite combat in a cinematic adventure, great for beginners.
• Elden Ring Nightreign: a co-op roguelite spin-off built around short, intense runs.
• The Duskbloods: FromSoftware’s Switch 2 exclusive is officially targeted for 2026, but had no firm release date as of early October.

How We Chose These Soulslike Games

This list is based on research rather than testing. We compared the current top-ranking best soulslike games guides, critic review aggregates, publisher announcements and store pages, then weighed each game on:

• Core soulslike design: checkpoint-based progression, dropped currency, stamina combat and challenging bosses.
• Critical reception: how consistently critics and players rate the game.
• Variety: we included open-world, linear, 2D, shooter, co-op and beginner-friendly options.
• Freshness: 2025 and 2026 releases such as Nioh 3, Mortal Shell II and Code Vein II were checked against official release information.
• Availability: whether the game is easy to buy and play on current hardware.

What Makes a Game a Soulslike?

Checkpoints that reset the world

Resting at a bonfire, lamp or shrine restores your health and healing items but also brings most enemies back. This makes each run through an area a test of memory and caution.

Dropped currency on death

When you die, you drop your experience currency and must return to collect it. Die again before you reach it and it is gone, which raises the stakes of every encounter.

Stamina-based combat

Attacks, dodges and blocks drain a stamina bar, so you cannot spam buttons. Fights reward patience, spacing and learning enemy patterns.

Demanding bosses

Bosses are designed to be learned over several attempts. The satisfaction of finally beating one is the heart of the genre.

Environmental storytelling

Lore is often told through item descriptions and world details instead of long cutscenes, leaving players to piece the story together.

Best Soulslikes for Beginners

If you have never finished a soulslike, start with Another Crab’s Treasure or Black Myth: Wukong, which are the most forgiving. Elden Ring is the best first FromSoftware game because you can explore elsewhere when stuck, level up, and summon Spirit Ashes or other players for help. Choose a sturdy melee build with a shield or a magic build that attacks from range, explore carefully, and do not be afraid to leave a boss and return stronger. Save Sekiro and Khazan for when you are comfortable with the genre.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best soulslike game?

Elden Ring is the best soulslike game. FromSoftware’s open-world action RPG offers enormous build variety, excellent bosses and the freedom to explore elsewhere when you are stuck, and its Shadow of the Erdtree expansion is one of the best DLCs ever made.

What is the best soulslike not made by FromSoftware?

Lies of P is the best soulslike not made by FromSoftware. It offers polished perfect-guard combat, a creative weapon assembly system and boss fights that rival FromSoftware’s best. Nioh 3 is the top alternative if you want faster combat and deep loot.

What is the best new soulslike in 2026?

Nioh 3 is the best new soulslike of 2026. Team Ninja released it on February 6, 2026 for PS5 and PC. Mortal Shell II, released in August 2026, and Code Vein II, released in January 2026, are also worth considering.

What is the easiest soulslike game?

Another Crab’s Treasure is one of the easiest soulslikes because it includes optional assist settings. Black Myth: Wukong and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order are also more forgiving than FromSoftware games, while Elden Ring becomes easier thanks to summons and open exploration.

Is Elden Ring a soulslike?

Yes. Elden Ring is made by FromSoftware, the studio that created the Souls series, and it uses the core soulslike formula of checkpoints, dropped runes on death, stamina-based combat and demanding bosses, set in a large open world.

Which soulslike games have co-op?

Remnant 2 supports three-player co-op throughout. Elden Ring, Dark Souls and Nioh 3 support online summoning for co-op help, and Elden Ring Nightreign is built entirely around three-player co-op runs.

Are Metroidvanias soulslikes?

Not all of them, but some 2D games blend the genres. Hollow Knight, Blasphemous and Salt and Sanctuary borrow soulslike ideas such as dropped currency on death and difficult bosses, so they are often called 2D soulslikes.

Which Soulslike Should You Play?

If you only play one, make it Elden Ring. If you have already finished it, go to Lies of P for the closest match in quality, then Nioh 3 for the best new release of 2026. PlayStation owners should not miss Bloodborne, and players who love sword duels should take on Sekiro. If you want spectacle and a gentler curve, pick Black Myth: Wukong. Friends who want to play together should choose Remnant 2, 2D fans should start Hollow Knight, and complete beginners will have the best time with Another Crab’s Treasure.

Last updated: October 2026.