The Best Non-FromSoftware Soulslike Games, Ranked

When FromSoftware released Demon's Souls in 2009, the studio likely had no idea it was about to create its own subgenre. While it would take that game's spiritual successor, 2011's Dark Souls, to officially help FromSoftware break into the mainstream and popularize many elements of the studio's titles that have gone on to greatly influence the direction of modern action RPGs, the term "Soulslike" essentially applies to any game that can trace its lineage back to the game that established the subgenre's core elements — Demon's Souls. Since the breakthrough popularity and success of Dark Souls, though, developers have taken inspiration from the work of Hidetaka Miyazaki and FromSoftware to create the "Soulslike" subgenre, and we're now reaching a point where many of the best "Soulslike" games are approaching the same level of quality synonymous with the work of that studio.

To qualify as a "Soulslike", games need to meet a few baseline criteria that are associated with FromSoftware's Demons and Dark Souls games.

• Death is a frequent and necessary component of gameplay.
• Enemies drop currency that is used for leveling up and is lost upon death. Players must commit to "Corpse Runs" to retrieve lost currency, which is gone forever if they die again before retrieval.
• Combat emphasizes precision and a methodical approach, typically governed by a stamina meter.
• Maps are labyrinthine and loop in on themselves, with players able to open up shortcuts linking back to earlier sections.
• Checkpoints restore the player at the cost of resetting the world around them, including regenerating enemies.
• Limited stat point allocation and stat-dependent gear encourage specific character "builds" that cater to different playstyles.

The following 15 games are the best Soulslikes that embody the above criteria while also delivering new and unique mechanics of their own.

Updated May 13, 2025:

We've come back to this list and edited it to add the excellent The First Berserker: Khazan, since it absolutely qualifies as one of the best Soulslike games.

• Release Date — September 26, 2019
• Developer — Bandai Namco Studios
• Publisher — Bandai Namco Entertainment
• Review Aggregate Score — 72% (Mixed or Average)
• Steam User Score — 84% (Very Positive)
• Platforms — PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Colloquially referred to as "anime Dark Souls", Code Vein is a commendable attempt at a darker Soulslike that mostly sticks the landing. The game's sharp anime-inspired visuals and animation are backed up by an almost completely nonsensical plot about the post-apocalypse and vampires, but its gameplay is where Code Vein shines.

Rather than restrict players to a specific build — which, at the time of Code Vein's initial release, most Soulslikes had opted to do — Code Vein gives players "Blood Codes" that act as the game's archetypal classes, each of which can be swapped at will. Together with the right Blood Veil (a unique combination of armor and weapon that grants buffs and resistances) and the right scaling weapons, Code Vein's Blood Codes offer a lot of freedom and flexibility in how players choose to build out their characters, and it's a better game for it. While it does err a little bit on the easier side once players come to grips with its combat and mechanics, Code Vein is a solid Soulslike that's great fun while it lasts.

• Release Date — November 15, 2019
• Developer — Respawn Entertainment
• Publisher — Electronic Arts
• Review Aggregate Score — 79% (Generally Favorable)
• Steam User Score — 88% (Very Positive)
• Platforms — PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Few would have expected Respawn Entertainment to follow up the excellent Titanfall 2 and Apex Legends with a licensed Star Wars game that borrows heavily from the Sekiro playbook, but they did, and we are grateful for it. Pretty much what that description would have you believe, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is a game built entirely around its excellent lightsaber combat, which leans heavily on a parry mechanic that plays a bit like "Sekiro-lite" thanks to its more forgiving window and supremely devastating follow-up attack.

Fallen Order is also an excellent Star Wars game that tells a compelling story set between the events of Episode III and Episode IV, showing us some incredible levels and setpieces that make great use of the Star Wars license and turn hero Cal Kestis into that universe's version of Uncharted's Nathan Drake. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is also great, but there's a case for Fallen Order being the better "Soulslike".

• Release Date — April 25, 2024
• Developer — Aggro Crab
• Publisher — Aggro Crab
• Review Aggregate Score — 78% (Generally Favorable)
• Steam User Score — 94% (Very Positive)
• Platforms — PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Probably as close as we'll ever get to a Finding Nemo Soulslike, Another Crab's Treasure is a misleadingly cute game with a bright and cartoonish art style hiding some truly excellent combat and a Dark Souls-worthy challenge. It's not surprising that this game ended up on many players' "best of" lists for 2024 for both its rock-solid Soulslike gameplay and its emotionally affecting tale, which manages to hit right in the feels regarding the state of our planet without coming off as preachy or pretentious.

Another Crab's Treasure is a Soulslike with a very pertinent message, but it also happens to inject plenty of humor into proceedings and not take itself too seriously, even if some of its boss fights and platforming challenges are as serious as a heart attack. And, should you find the game too difficult, Aggro Crab has gone the extra mile to include a ridiculous one-hit kill "Rage Winning" item thanks to the "Give Kril a Gun" setting.

• Release Date — April 26, 2024
• Developer — Shift Up
• Publisher — Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Review Aggregate Score — 81% (Generally Favorable)
• Steam User Score — N/A
• Platforms — PlayStation 5 (Coming to PC June 2025)

One of the newer games to quickly land itself as one of the more compelling entries into the "Soulslike" genre is 2024's Stellar Blade. Like Neowiz's Lies of P, Stellar Blade is the debut title from developer Shift Up and a very commendable first effort at crafting both a AAA game and a Soulslike that shows a substantial understanding of the subgenre's elements. Though Stellar Blade does share a lot in common with games like Yoko Taro's NieR: Automata, its combat and encounter design place it squarely within the Soulslike genre, and it sets itself apart from many of its contemporaries thanks to its emphasis on aggressive play, speed, and over-the-top style to supplement its substance.

To be fair, Stellar Blade does abandon the traditional penalty for death that is common among Soulslikes, but its methodical combat and parry-heavy boss designs secure its spot on a list of some of the best Soulslikes games to not come out of FromSoftware.

• Release Date — September 23, 2019
• Developer — Deck 13
• Publisher — Focus Entertainment
• Review Aggregate Score — 75% (Generally Favorable)
• Steam User Score — 77% (Mostly Positive)
• Platforms — PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Developer Deck 13 is the originator of the "Soulslike" thanks to their 2014 title Lords of the Fallen (not to be confused with the 2023 reboot, which happens to find itself on this list). The studio would then follow that title up with The Surge, a shockingly good sci-fi Soulslike that incorporated some unique ideas like targeting limbs to steal enemy parts and fashion them into armor and weapons. Just a few years later, Deck 13 would return with The Surge 2, and like all good sequels do, it improves upon its predecessor in just about every way. While there's a case to be made that the horror-tinged atmosphere of the first Surge was more in line with what players were hoping for from a sci-fi-themed Dark Souls, The Surge 2's combat, level design, and boss encounters are all vastly improved over its predecessor.

• Release Date — April 6, 2023
• Developer — Team Ninja, Square Enix
• Publisher — Square Enix
• Review Aggregate Score — 72% (Mixed or Average)
• Steam User Score — 83% (Very Positive)
• Platforms — PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Taking the expertise of Team Ninja and combining it with the story and characters of the original Final Fantasy is a wild idea that shouldn't work on paper, but it absolutely does in practice. The secret to Stranger of Paradise is Square Enix's handing of the reins over to Team Ninja for the title's gameplay and progression mechanics, turning this Final Fantasy Soulslike into a sort of "Nioh 3" that marries many of that series' best ideas with the universe and iconic classes and weaponry of Final Fantasy.

The best part about Stranger of Paradise is how "all-in" the game goes on its gear collecting and build craft, especially in the endgame where it feels like the "real" game truly begins. First impressions of Stranger of Paradise might have been a little off-putting thanks to all the "CHAOS!" memes, but underneath its goofy exterior lies a rock-solid action RPG with some best-in-class progression and a surprisingly excellent retelling of the first Final Fantasy story.

• Release Date — August 2, 2021
• Developer — Clover Bite
• Publisher — Akupara Games
• Review Aggregate Score — 81% (Generally Favorable)
• Steam User Score — 86% (Very Positive)
• Platforms — PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

There have been plenty of 2D "Soulsvania" games that blend the elements of FromSoftware's Dark Souls with the mechanics and progression of a Metroidvania, but few do it as well as Clover Bite's GRIME. While the poster child for "2D Dark Souls" has long been Salt and Sanctuary, I'm a firm believer that GRIME is both a better Soulslike and a better Metroidvania, mostly thanks to its extremely off-putting art direction and oppressive atmosphere that practically beg the player to keep searching for answers, despite the fact that we might be afraid of the truth they uncover.

Outside its impressive narrative and vibes, though, GRIME has some excellent combat and boss encounters, including a very satisfying parry mechanic that allows your character to absorb the abilities of fallen enemies and turn them into stat-boosting or combat-enhancing traits. GRIME is wonderfully weird and obtuse, and the wait for the recently announced GRIME II already seems too long.

• Release Date — September 10, 2019
• Developer — The Game Kitchen
• Publisher — Team17
• Review Aggregate Score — 77% (Generally Favorable)
• Steam User Score — 90% (Very Positive)
• Platforms — PC, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One

Another of the 2D "Soulsvania" games, one that should be high up on most players' to-do lists if they haven't experienced it yet, is Blasphemous. Like GRIME, Blasphemous will immediately draw you in thanks to its stunning 2D pixel art and animations, including a haunting and surreal representation of Andalusian Spain and enough religious symbolism to make Xenogears fans blush. Underneath its impeccable style is a rock-solid combination of methodical, heavy-hitting combat and some unique platforming and traversal challenges that shake up the traditional "jump, double jump, wall climb" loop that many Metroidvania titles adhere to. The Game Kitchen would deliver an excellent sequel in Blasphemous II, but the original Blasephmous is arguably more "Soulslike" while its sequel goes all-in on its Metroidvania elements.

• Release Date — March 3, 2023
• Developer — Koei Tecmo, Team Ninja
• Publisher — Koei Tecmo
• Review Aggregate Score — 80% (Generally Favorable)
• Steam User Score — 47% (Mixed)
• Platforms — PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Team Ninja might lay claim to being the best Soulslike developer outside of FromSoftware, and the game that is perhaps its greatest showpiece for its skill at combat systems and encounter design is Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. Wo Long can essentially be thought of as a combination between Nioh and Sekiro, and it pulls the best parts from each of its influences to become a game that is built around its excellent melee fighting while also incentivizing careful progression and build craft toward specific play styles. Similarly, Wo Long features a story, setting, and atmosphere that blend historical fiction and folklore like Sekiro, only it swaps that game's feudal Japan setting for one taking place in Han Dynasty China. Wo Long is brutal, fast-paced, and structured in such a way as to emphasize repeating levels and grinding for better gear. It's also one of the greatest Team Ninja games.

• Release Date — October 13, 2023
• Developer — CI Games
• Publisher — CI Games
• Review Aggregate Score — 75% (Generally Favorable)
• Steam User Score — 63% (Mixed)
• Platforms — PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

The original Lords of the Fallen holds a significant place in history as the first "Soulslike" to try and replicate Dark Souls' formula. But while it included some good ideas, Deck 13's Lords of the Fallen was mostly a reminder that you weren't playing a better game. Thankfully, the property didn't die with that 2014 entry and ended up getting a reboot in 2023 with CI Games' excellent (and confusingly named) Lords of the Fallen. While 2023's Lords of the Fallen doesn't do much to shake off its Dark Souls comparisons (even going so far as to learn harder into them), it features some excellent combat and build craft, a unique world-traversing mechanic that calls to mind Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, and some very strong level design that makes each new area a treat to explore.

• Release Date — May 29, 2024
• Developer — RedCandleGames
• Publisher — RedCandleGames
• Review Aggregate Score — 84% (Generally Favorable)
• Steam User Score — 95% (Overwhelmingly Positive)
• Platforms — PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Though there's a case to be made that Sekiro is a departure for FromSoftware that some don't consider to be one of the studio's "Soulsborne" games, it's no less influential than Dark Souls, with many of the best Soulslikes now toeing the line between that subgenre and the new "Sekiro-like" moniker. Perhaps the best Sekiro-like of them all is RedCandleGames' Nine Sols, which features some near-perfect parry and deflection-heavy combat that is arguably the closest any non-FromSoftware studio has come to replicating Sekiro's greatness. Adding to its phenomenal combat and rich offensive toolkit is Nine Sols' heartfelt and tragic narrative, which will hit players right where it hurts when the ending scenes play out following the game's true final boss and most substantial challenge.

• Release Date — February 24, 2017
• Developer — Team Cherry
• Publisher — Team Cherry
• Review Aggregate Score — 90% (Universal Acclaim)
• Steam User Score — 97% (Overwhelmingly Positive)
• Platforms — PC, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One

Both one of best Soulslike games and one of the greatest Metroiodvanias, Hollow Knight has now gone on to be almost as copied as Dark Souls itself, inspiring a legion of indie developers to try their hand at the 2D, hand-drawn"Soulsvania". But while it would be easy to write off Hollow Knight's impact on indie game development as being symptomatic of its incredible breakthrough success, the truth is that it's simply a phenomenal game that exudes atmosphere in practically every element of its design.

The story and characters of Hollow Knight are evocative and compelling without ever speaking a word, and Team Cherry's ability to convey so much information through the environments of Hallownest is a prime exemplar of the "Show, don't Tell" method of storytelling. Throw in some best-in-class melee combat and platforming, along with a substantial challenge, and you have a Soulsvania that deserves the pedestal it's been placed upon.

• Release Date — July 25, 2023
• Developer — Gunfire Games
• Publisher — Arc Games
• Review Aggregate Score — 80% (Generally Favorable)
• Steam User Score — 82% (Very Positive)
• Platforms — PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Just because Soulslikes are typically very challenging doesn't mean they can't be outright fun, which is a sentiment that Gunfire Games seems to have taken to heart. The first Remnant: From the Ashes was an amazing co-op third-person shooter/Soulslike hybrid that blended supremely satisfying shooting and melee combat with an impressive degree of build variety and enemy diversity. Remnant II ups the ante further by doing everything the first game did, but better, including providing greater class variety with its many unlockable "Archetypes", compelling use of procedurally-generated levels to keep each new run feeling fresh, and a constant stream of worthwhile loot and exciting quest design that immerses players into its dark multiverse story right up until the thrilling final showdown against the Root Nexus. Just talking about it has me wanting to go back and invest another couple hundred hours.

• Release Date — March 27, 2025
• Developer — Neople
• Publisher — Nexon
• Review Aggregate Score — 79% (Generally Favorable)
• Steam User Score — 90% (Very Positive)
• Platforms — PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Neople's Dungeon and Fighter series was hardly what you might have imagined as "fertile ground" for a spin-off Soulslike game, but the studio has commendably taken its first swing at the subgenre and somehow landed better than most. The First Berserker: Khazan is a Soulslike game that hedges all its bets on its spectacular combat, which limits players to just three weapon types but gives them a slew of different build options through the plethora of gear they'll acquire and some robust skill trees for each of the different weapons. Khazan also somehow is able to make you care about the game's characters and conflicts in a way that many Soulslikes just can't, and part of its narrative pull comes from a more direct approach to storytelling than is common in the subgenre.

• Release Date — February 5, 2021
• Developer — Koei Tecmo, Team Ninja
• Publisher — Koei Tecmo
• Review Aggregate Score — 86% (Generally Favorable)
• Steam User Score — 88% (Very Positive)
• Platforms — PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5

It's a tough call to place Nioh 2 without including the original Nioh on the list, but this sequel does everything that Nioh does while improving on it to such an incredible degree that it deserves top billing in its place. Were it not for Neowiz's Lies of P, Nioh 2 would lay claim to being the greatest non-FromSoftware Soulslike game, and for some, it still will take the cake as the most rewarding and challenging title to not come from the Dark Souls creators.

Like its predecessor, Nioh 2 blends three incredible timeless games perfectly into one incredibly addictive and rewarding mix: Dark Souls, Ninja Gaiden, and Diablo. The title's combat deftly straddles the line between methodical Soulslike and frantic character action, and the deep gear and loot system create seemingly endless possibilities for how players build out their hero as they take on increasingly challenging (and stunningly designed) yokai. A masterpiece in every sense of the word and a strong contender for Team Ninja's best game.

• Release Date — September 18, 2023
• Developer — Neowiz
• Publisher — Neowiz
• Review Aggregate Score — 80% (Generally Favorable)
• Steam User Score — 92% (Very Positive)
• Platforms — PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

When it comes to non-FromSoftware Soulslikes that come close to scratching the same itch as the games that inspired the subgenre, perhaps no game does it better than Lies of P. While most of us await the day when Sony and FromSoftware will do something with the Bloodborne IP besides letting it languish on the PS4, Neowiz took it upon itself to do the best job possible at crafting a sort of spiritual successor using Carlo Collodi's The Adventures of Pinnochio as its source material.

The end result? A shockingly good Bloodborne-like with a masterfully created Victorian gothic setting, excellent combat that favors parrying and aggression, and a surprisingly deep and rewarding narrative that utilizes more direct storytelling devices than the traditional Soulslike is known for. That we're getting a DLC this year is all the more reason to play this masterpiece if you have yet to step foot in the dark, rain-slick streets of Krat.