The 8 Best Souls-like Games to Play in 2022
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Dark Souls is one of the most influential video games of all time, and From Software’s 2011 masterpiece finds elements that are widely used in other action and role-playing games. Those who use many of the same mechanics, listed below, are collectively referred to as soul-like:
- Unlockable checkpoints (bonfires)
- Currency dropped on death (soul)
- A connected world with locked doors and shortcuts
- Respawn enemies on death or rest
Games that contain these elements, or most of them, have enough in common with the Dark Souls series to be considered Souls-like games, and we’ve rounded up eight of the best Souls-like games if you crave punishment. Thanks to the name “Likes” in, we’ve excluded From Software’s own games from consideration, including all Souls games, Bloodborne, Sekiro, and Elden Ring. Speaking of From Software’s latest masterpiece, be sure to check out our roundup of the best games like Elden Ring to play after visiting Lands Between.
Available for: PlayStation, Xbox, PC
The third Souls-like game from Deck13, The Surge 2 finally sees the developer make strides. With a highly creative world connected by freight elevators and other mechanical infrastructure, The Surge 2 definitely embodies the sense of discovery that From Software has done so well, with smart improvements to the gear system by removing the need for “proficiency” to improve different weapons type of damage. It also retains the excellent target dismemberment system from the first game, allowing you to focus on dealing extra damage to enemies or removing key armor components to improve your loadout.
Available for: PlayStation, Xbox, PC
Code Vein is an anime-inspired Souls game with great flexibility in combat, perfect for anyone who loves Dark Souls but wants to give up their dark fantasy for full-on gothic vampire bullshit. Just like in the Souls series, there’s a huge selection of weapons to choose from, and you’ll be wielding them all while relying on your vampire abilities to take down the game’s toughest foes. For the most part, the challenge isn’t as high as the Souls series, though there are some key moments where you have to grit your teeth, memorize every attack from the boss, and show them some real vampire power.
Available for: PlayStation and PC
Team Ninja’s second crack (and slash) to the Soul formula doesn’t make any huge changes to the original game, but it adds one very important addition: the burst counter. By using this ability in boss fights, you can always stay on the offensive, deliver punitive strikes and break through defenses like butter. At the same time, the enemies are very powerful, including some of the toughest bosses in the Soul class, and like the first-gen Nioh, there are tons of weapons to try. With everything from dual-wielding katana swords to giant giant axes, finding a “new favorite” is almost an ongoing process. You can choose Nioh 2 on PS4 or PS5 as part of the Nioh Collection, a collection of two Nioh games with PS5 performance upgrades.
Available for: PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC
Ashen is an understated and atmospheric Souls-like game that won’t take you 100 hours to complete, and it’s a fun Souls-like game because it’s clearly as inspired as From Software’s world-building and its structure.The desolate icy landscape feels like it wants you gone, while the enemy prefers to speed up your exit. While lacking some of Souls’ memorable locations and having some ridiculous difficulty spikes, Ashes is definitely worth playing. It’s available on just about every platform, including the Nintendo Switch, so you can kick your ass down the toilet before getting back on the couch.
Available for: PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC
As one of the first games to take the Dark Souls formula and turn it into 2D, Salt and Sanctuary sets the gloomy, unwelcome tone of its inspiration, but does so through a very different art style. This isn’t just pixel art from Dark Souls, but a cartoon version that looks like it could be a 2002 Flash cartoon – and we mean the good way. It’s full of secrets and extremely difficult bosses, and while it has occasional difficulty spikes that even From Software would question, Salt and Sanctuary is one of the best Souls-like games ever made. This is especially impressive considering that most games are created by a few people.
Available for: PlayStation, Xbox, PC
A somewhat surprising Souls-like game with slightly looser subgenre rules compared to the other games on this list, Jedi Star: Fallen Order proves how versatile Star Wars and Souls-like games can be. Following the events of Revenge of the Sith, the game features a steady progression of your powers as you gradually unlock new attacks and new lightsaber configurations. Combat is often equivalent to dodging, parrying, and countering, and its relatively low difficulty compared to Dark Souls makes it a good entry point.
Available for: PlayStation, Xbox, PC
After injecting some soul elements into the undercooked Darksiders 3, Gunfire Games took a very different approach to Remnant: From The Ashes. Remnant: From The Ashes focuses primarily on third-person shooters, utilizing procedurally generated elements and cooperative multiplayer, although it’s also fully functional as a single-player experience. Nature-themed enemies, many of which deal incredible damage, making it a challenge, especially if you’re used to the other Soul-like “dodge, attack, dodge” routine. Still, you’ll find the structure very familiar, with lots of hidden nooks and crannies, and often full of enemies as well.
Available for: PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC
A disturbing 2D side-scroller, similar to Souls, with brutal enemies and more brutal platforming sections, Blasphemous doesn’t mess around. One wrong move and you’ll probably enjoy all the resources you need to level up, though the combinations you’ll learn along the way will help in some of the toughest moments. There’s also an optional upgrade system for boosting abilities and stats by equipping items, allowing you to build a character that can change the way you play. It’s certainly not the same degree of freedom you get in games like Elden Ring or Nioh 2, but it makes repeating games very tempting.
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