Best Souls-Like Games | Discover Next Dark Souls!

Best Souls-Like Games | Discover Next Dark Souls!

Dark Souls is one of the greatest game types that broke through the mainstream in recent years. Although the release date of the first game in the genre was a few years ago, it is still copied and played worldwide! 


Essentially, the souls-like game is different from the other games in the action-RPG genre in creating an environment where you die a lot. It also brought back big Boss fights from the history of gaming. 


Soulslike games created a way of playing by giving players limited resources like health-restoring and went back to the old checkpoint system. 


Modern games at that time tend to create an open-world environment with a friendly experience where you don’t die a lot and easily get back on your feet. It was supposed to keep the gamers playing and not discourage them from playing.

As it turns out – it was a mistake. Gamers were really up for some challenge that was not happening in the online mode. 


So – the souls formula really sat well with them. Also – a dark fantasy world with beautiful graphics and intense boss fights helped a lot.


You probably already know that with the great game comes many impostors. And there are many of them on the Dark Souls Horizon.


Developers tried to copy Dark Souls game mechanics, boss battles, and even challenging combat. Few succeeded in this format, but some had something going on for them. In this list, we will try to show what are some of the best souls-like games in recent history!

Remnant: From the Ashes


As you can probably see – there is a Souls callback in the title. The Ashen One got reduced to coming back from some kind of ashes situation, but in this case – we just cannot be mad at it.


Remnant really does well what it’s trying to achieve. The idea is simple – let’s write on the Souls material and go further with it. It’s the best way to go about it. You don’t just copy stuff, you look at what worked and try to enhance it in a way that works. And this video game does just that.


Dark Souls series was known for the dark world and medieval undertones. So, Remnant also created a dark world but expanded the weapons range by introducing shooting to the mix. That way, unlike other soulslike games, it created something new from the interesting base that already had some fans.


Also – there is a co-op mode, great level building, many things to uncover, and a plot that maybe isn’t as mysterious and epic as the one in Dark Souls, but it’s not the worst thing we’ve seen on the market. 


Every Dark Souls fan should be happy with the first game on our list.


Get Remnant: From The Ashes Steam Cd Key via Royal Cd Keys.


Key Features


  • Expanding on the original Dark Souls ideas.
  • Interesting and living world with own problems.
  • Lots of looting.

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order


It may not seem like it is when you first look at it but isn’t it kind of, sort of the same concept. You have a sword, there are many things to kill with it and a massive open world to see. Dark Souls fans should be thrilled that the Star Wars version of their game exists, right?


Well, yes, and – they are! Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was an extremely popular game during its time, and to be quite honest – it was really challenging. And to say more – it is probably one of the best games on this list when it comes to improving on the Demon’s Souls concept.


You’ve got a sword, there are some crazy-strong boss fights, you die a lot and you can develop your abilities. Doesn’t it seem a little bit similar to a game where you start some fires but like – in the future?


The combat system is great, and you can play as a Jedi in a game that does not suck. There may be a little less gothic architecture you may be used to and not that many different weapons, so just imagine – that it is a souls-like game with only one build that you can tweak a bit. The fast-paced action will forgive you!


Souls in space seem like an amazing idea! And with the ability to use Force on bosses – it is an inspiration indeed.


To get Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Steam Cd Key – check out Royal Cd Keys!


Key Features


  • Star Wars world in a souls-like game.
  • Fighting enemies is really fun.
  • You get to play as a Jedi!

Hollow Knight


Well, this may be a controversial one on the list, but it just had to appear on this list in one shape or another. Hollow Knight is something completely different yet highly similar to the Dark Souls franchise.


So, let’s see what is similar first. Interesting story that you have to take on piece by piece to understand the complexity of the world and utter tragedy of this creation that is a being itself – checked. 


Checkpoint mechanic where you die a lot and then some more by some, cough, crap… This game is cheating! You don’t want to play it anymore just to come back the next day – checked. Boss fights with someone not-so-slightly taller than you – checked. So, what is different?


Well, it looks different. Dark Souls had amazing 3D graphics seen from a third-person perspective. In Hollow Knight – it’s an isometric shot with fairytale stylized visuals. It’s a bit easier and more forgiving. 


Even though it’s a little more for children as it may seem, it is still a great game – one of the first games that understood what it meant to be a souls-like game. It’s still a good one to pick, but looking for really similar games, you should check out others on this list.


Check out Hollow Knight Steam Cd Key at Royal Cd Keys.


Key Features


  • Souls-like in its own way.
  • Isometric view of the world.
  • Graphics look like they’re from the fairytale.

Code Vein


It’s anime Dark Souls for all you weebs out there! Soulslike gameplay has never been as cool and Japanese as in this sense! As in everything in Japan, there are big weapons, great magic, and humor that most people don’t understand.


Code Vein is one of the best soulslikes on the market, with amazing characters and on-point challenges to overcome. You can head out to the battle and fight the enemy alone or with your friend! It has a great co-op play and – it is basically Dark Souls on Japanese steroids – why wouldn’t you give it a chance? The difficulty may not be as high as in Dark Souls, but this game is challenging, weird, and fun at the same time! 


Anime animation style can be seen in many ways, but in this grim reality – it really kind-of, sort-of works! Monsters are well animated, and putting an emphasis on setting the world of wonder feels really inspiring. So, don’t wait up with your money and roll your eyes at the graphics – grab a copy and play with your friends! 


It has a great atmosphere, death scenes, and a ton of fighting! It’s a piece of art so expect to fall in love with this mention quite fast. Especially when you fight bosses with some epic anime music!


Download Code Vein Steam Cd Key with Royal Cd Keys.


Key Features


  • Anime stylized visuals.
  • Great range of guns to choose from.
  • Excellent combat.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice


This one feels like a little bit of cheating, but with the Elden Ring, it just feels right to include its predecessor.


Sekiro is a great soulslike mostly because it was created by Souls creators with action taking place in feudal Japan. However, it is distinctly different, so we’ve decided to put it on the list for anyone looking for something interesting and similar to their beloved game.


It’s probably one of the best soulslike games on this list, thanks to an amazing art style, open-world map, and new weapons compared to the Dark Souls franchise. That was medieval Europe, and here we are in beautiful Japan.


At first glance, it doesn’t even look like Dark Souls, with bright colors and slash combat, but this impression couldn’t be further from the truth. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is full of various challenges, big bosses, and platforming sections with a whole lot of jumping and things to explore. 


When it comes to games like Dark Souls – you just can get a better one to check out. It is also one of the greatest games in the action-RPG genre, so it has that going on as well. If you’d ask us – we’re team ninja on this one.


Key Features


  • Created by the Dark Souls developers.
  • Amazing art style with the colorful, living world.
  • Incredible gameplay, similar, yet different trom Dark Souls.

Salt and Sanctuary


If we’re talking about the best games Souls-like, you cannot miss out on Salt and Sanctuary. Developer – Ska Studios – created a game with immersive mechanics and an interconnected world that other souls-likes games can just dream of.


It’s a game that overcame the game death’s gambit of being repetitive and became the enhanced edition of the one and only. Your journey for adventure is full of amazing secrets, platforming elements, and – it’s all in the amazing 2D perspective that loses the limits set on the original Dark Souls.


The idea in the game is to become a souls-like game, not just go through the ruined kingdom and fight bosses. Of course, many hit games tried to do that; there is a sequel or two released after Dark Souls came out. 


If you played Dark Souls you know that it’s all about being free to surge through life until your inevitable death. And that is something that Salt and Sanctuary understand. With incredible couch passive co-op play and lots of hell to go through – it’s just an amazing game to play. Rest assured – you will not regret giving it a chance!


Key Features


  • Putting Dark Souls energy into 2D graphics.
  • Lots of weapons and customization.
  • Mysterious atmosphere.

Dead Cells


Motion Twin, Dead Cells developer, creator of some of the best Metroidvania games, comes with another one from the genre – and this time – they’re serious!


Well, not serious-serious, but you get the idea. The war is not over till it’s over, and in the case of this game – it’s really far away. Check out the multi-awarded Metroidvania game with elements of Dark Souls produced and developed by Motion Twin. 


So – you are a creature that takes over a decapitated corpse in a dungeon. As you probably can see – a lot is going on from the start. Your mission is to find a way out of this mess while also getting through various levels of the enemies.


While doing so, you get lots of weapons, treasures, and tools that help you be even better at murder. Also – it helps you to achieve “cells” – a currency used in-game that allows you to upgrade your stuff. 


The mystery of the name of the game is now solved. Also – remember not to die. Uncle Death will take all of your stuff, so don’t try anything funny.


It’s a really fun experience and a game that is definitely worth checking out. 


If it’s something you may like, download Dead Cells Steam Cd Keys via Royal Cd Keys.


Key Features


  • Permadeath – you don’t get second chances!
  • An homage to the old Metroidvania games.
  • Lots of weapons to customize and buy with Cells.

Mortal Shell


If there is a game that makes you feel like – it’s a little too close for comfort when it comes to similarity – it’s Mortal Shell. It looks like Dark Souls, plays like Dark Souls, and, people are saying, it has a tattoo near its private parts with Dark Souls embroidered logo.


Why is that? Well, it feels like medieval Europe; there are those weird bosses; it’s a little Angel vs Demons kind of thing. This really doesn’t fall far from the tree. Combining it with amazing graphics and gothic music, you’ve got yourself a Dark Souls clone. 


The plot is, cough-cough, a bit similar. In a world full of defeated warriors, you are the one chosen to discover them and get into their bodies to fight the Bad Guys. Those bodies are Mortal Shells to be exact.


As this big person on TV says – it’s about drive, it’s about power. Well, it’s also about your sanity, tracking hidden sanctums of the devout, and just leveling up.


It’s a great game to pass the time while you’re waiting for From Software to release something on a platform that you actually have.


To get into action, buy Mortal Shell Steam Cd Key via Royal Cd Keys.


Key Features


  • It’s really close to the Dark Souls. 
  • Dark and grim world.
  • Cool enemies design.

Ashen


Dear Ashen One, here is another story about ashes and that our life is meaningless in the grand scheme of things.


Or is it? Maybe we have some agency, and perhaps we can change the world. Maybe this big owl has something interesting to say if you just listen to her!


This game feels inspired from head to toe, but God, if it’s even in the titles, you need to have something to back it up! And surprisingly, this game has a lot to back it up. The gameplay is really good, the world-building is fantastic (giant owl, as you may have heard), and the stamina-based fighting is paying off.


You may get lost from time to time, encounter some ghost, and, in related topics, your characters do not really have faces, but it feels like an artistic choice to leave them without, so we don’t mind. This game has, as the item descriptions would say, a black hole of ideas. 


There are a lot of them, and they’re put in one title. Successfully? Well, we would say so. It’s a great game to experience alone or with friends and family in a co-op mode. Really solid title.


Get into action! Buy Ashen Steam Cd Key at Royal Cd Keys.


Key Features


  • A new style of graphics.
  • Immersive story and narration.
  • Interesting character design.

Lords of The Fallen


Well, every great game has to have the first copycat. And one of the first to copy Demon’s Souls was Lords of The Fallen.


It’s a great action RPG game with lots of things to loot and even a checkpoint system really similar to the one and only in Dark Souls’ bonfire.


It may not and probably is not a perfect game, but it has a lot of assets, and after finishing another round of DS 1,2,3, you should give it a chance.


The characters feel big and strong, a little slower than in Dark Souls but feel more realistic. It’s a slow and tactical way of fighting. The space is limited and enemies are coming from everywhere. You are Harkyn.


From the very first steps in this game, you get to choose your class, specialization, armor, weapon, spells, and abilities. Every class is based on two choices into the three aspects of magic – brawling, deception, and solace with following armor sets – warrior, rogue, and cleric.


It’s a great experience and definitely worth checking out if you’re over Dark Souls already. You won’t be disappointed!


Key Feature


  • Medieval-style action.
  • Great system of fighting.
  • Old-but-gold graphics.

The Surge (series)


There are two of them, and they are pissed off! The Surge and The Surge 2 took what is best from Dark Souls clone mentioned before and combined it with an incredible crafting system from Monster Hunter. What came out? Dark-Hunter. Or Monster Souls. Or just The Surge, we don’t need to get into details.


It’s really something new to the franchise because in Dark Souls, for example, there were little to no zombie-like creatures that wanted to kill you all and never leave a trace.


Kill the zombies to craft some amazing weapons and then – kill more zombies with higher levels to craft even higher-leveled weapons, and then… Well, you get the idea.


The plot is not that important – enjoy smashing zombies while you can, and remember never to look back! There are only lower-level zombies behind you (#philosohical).


Download The Surge 2 Cd Key at Royal Cd Keys.


Key Features


  • Dark Souls in the future!
  • Amazing crafting system.
  • Great visuals (especially in the second one).

Nioh (franchise)


Nioh is essentially Sekiro before Sekiro existed. We don’t know who ripped off who and how it happened but in the case of this bad boy – there are many mysteries to unfold. Koei Tecmo did something else with the original Nioh and the sequel that gained much popularity worldwide.


It has the same qualities as the most Dark Souls-like games, but with a bit of a twist of being more Japanese than previous ones. Code Vein is not even close when it comes to being Japanese. You can feel the medieval Souls undertones, but the game somehow makes them its own with clever writing and interesting concepts.


In Dark Souls, for example, it was all about the balance between stamina, mana, and health. Here – there is also Ki pulse. That said, if you push the button at the right moment, you can regain parts of your stamina to make sure you are ready for more fighting. It’s a simple concept but really makes the game more dynamic.


There is much to unpack with this game: many trees to develop, magic to learn, and, apart from the great campaign, a plethora of things to do after you finish it. So – get on with the action to try to understand why this game gained such attention and is claimed as one of the most soulslike games on the market.


Check out Nioh: Complete Edition Steam Cd Key at Royal Cd Keys.


Key Features


  • Probably the best Dark Souls clone.
  • Great Ki mechanic system.
  • Amazing story and lots of endgame content.

Best Dark Souls Games – Final Thoughts


And here we are! There is no more souls-like gaming or soulslike world being created all the time. Of course, we didn’t include all the games that are similar to this amazing franchise, such as Titan Souls, Hyper Light Drifter, Acid Nerve Death’s Door, Undead Burg, and probably many more.


What we hope we’ve achieved is to guide you through this loose place called game list to help you find what was truly in your heart the whole time – your favorite game like Dark Souls. And hey – if it means that you just play Dark Souls one more time – it’s also ok. There is no judgment here.


You can find those games on many systems: Nintendo Switch, Playstation Vita, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, macOS, and if you can hack – probably Linux. At Royal Cd Keys we’ll provide you with the best prices! Check out the latest updates for some great offers.


That concludes our list. We hope you found something you liked and hope to see you more often. We hope you have a great game and – game on!