Over the years there’s always going to be that one game that gets released and has such a unique style that makes people want more and more, thus creating a cult following and some fans of that style go as far as to develop their own game with a lot of similarities, so they can put their own spin on it and create their own stories.
In this article, we will feature some games that took inspiration from nonother than the Souls series which is being developed by FROMSOFTWARE, this list will include the ones that accurately grasped the essence of what it is to be a Soulslike game.
Because it was those developers who fuelled this kind of genre to become so popular their games will not be included here, but if you want to find more about them you can check this article: 15 Best FromSoftware Games Ever Released
You will not just find your typical third person games on this list but also some sidescrollers, top down isometric games, and even ones with first person perspective, so without any further ado. let’s begin!
Best Third Person Soulslike Games
Ashen
Developer: A44
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
Release date: December 7, 2018
Ashen is an action RPG that has a lot of similarities in combat with the Souls games by putting out its own twist.
The unique visuals, environment design and the passive co-op make the game stand out and able to wear the soulsike identity with pride.
If you like discovering and exploring large areas, crawling through massive dungeons and managing your own town or playing together with other people you can check it out at GOG, Steam or the Epic Store.
Ashen is also available on PS4, Xbox One and the Nintendo Switch.
Arboria
Developer: Dreamplant
Publisher: All in! Games
Release date: May 7, 2020
Arboria is a rogue-lite game with soulslike combat set in a dark fantasy world.
You become a Yotun warrior traveling through procedural dungeons in the world of Durnar and your objective is to heal the Father Tree.
The game offers a huge variety of symbiotic weapons and bio mutations to fight off the numerous enemies that you will encounter in your adventures.
If you are interested in trippy environments and dungeon crawling with soulslike combat then you can get this game from Steam.
Hellpoint
Developer: Cradle Games
Publisher: tinyBuild
Release date: July 30, 2020
Hellpoint is a dark sci-fi RPG that takes place in a space colony that was once humanity’s greatest achievement, now overrun with monsters caused by a cataclysmic event, the player must take control of the situation and uncover the events with a minion that is created by the Authority.
Explore the colony of Irid Novo which consists of dynamic events and a variety of enemies, you can choose to play solo, co-op or against your friends with split-screen or online.
If you like surreal futuristic cosmic horror with H.R. Giger vibes then you can find Hellpoint on GOG, Steam and Epic Store.
Hellpoint is also available on Linux, MacOS, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series S/X and the Nintendo Switch.
Code Vein
Developer: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Release date: May 31, 2019
Code Vein is a post apocalyptic action RPG game set in the future where the world has fallen into ruin by what is known as the Great Collapse.
You play as a Revenant, they are human corpses that have been brought back to life in order to fight the monsters that have invaded the world.
Revenants have special vampiric abilities and need human blood in order to sustain themselves.
What makes this game different than other soulslike games is the anime visuals and its story.
You can play this game solo with the help of an AI or co-op with your friend which is strongly recommended since the AI is a little bit annoying.
If you are a fan of the anime visuals but still like the combat mechanics of Dark Souls then you can find Code Vein on Steam.
Code Vein is also available on PS4 and Xbox One.
Darksiders 3
Developer: Gunfire Games
Publisher: THQ Nordic
Release date: November 27, 2018
Even though Darksiders 3 is the third installment in the series the way the mechanics and progression works is pretty much far apart from the previously released games.
Darksiders 3 has more similarities to Dark Souls than its predecessors with the only difference being in the powers the character yields.
Set in an apocalyptic future where humanity is being destroyed by the war between angels and demons, Darksiders 3 acts as a prequel to the first game in the series.
You play as Fury, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, your mission is to capture the seven deadly sins who have escaped imprisonment and have taken corporeal form in the Earth’s realm.
If you like the story the Darksiders franchise offers and you are a fan of metroidvania and soulslike games then you can find this game on GOG, Steam and Epic Store.
Darksiders 3 is also available on PS4, Xbox One and the Nintendo Switch.
Nioh 1 & 2
Developer: Team Ninja & Kou Shibusawa
Publisher: Koei Tecmo & Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release date: February 7, 2017 & March 12, 2020
Nioh 1 & 2 follow the age of samurai in feudal Japan mixing it up with mythological stories and legends from the folklore of Asian culture.
The combat system Nioh has is probably the most noteworthy mechanic that makes it stand out of the rest of the soulslike games.
The players can choose between three stances. High Stance, Mid Stance, and Low Stance each stance is more effective than the other depending on which enemy you are facing.
The game takes place in the Tokugawa Shogunate at the beginning of the Edo Period and the player is controlling William Adams which is inspired by “The one and only Westerner who became a Samurai”.
The plot revolves around William chasing a sorcerer named Edward Kelly who is trying to create conflict and divide the country.
In Nioh 2 the players take control of another character named Hide, a half-yokai referred to as a Shiftling.
Nioh 2 acts as a prequel to the first game but the end chapters return to the ending of the first one giving the players a more complete picture of the game’s storytelling.
Both games also feature online pvp and co-op modes.
If you like Japanese mythology and soulslike combat with a twist then you can find them on Steam and the Epic Store.
Nioh 1 Steam & Epic Store, Nioh 2 Steam & Epic Store.
Nioh 1 & 2 are also on PS4 and PS5.
The Surge 1 & 2
Developer: Deck13
Publisher: Focus Entertainment
Release date: May 16, 2017 & September 24, 2019
The Surge 1 & 2 are both set in a dystopian future where humans have depleted almost all of the natural resources resulting in the decline of society and the increase of diseases.
Humanity has become so dependent on technology which leads further to their decline by overusing it.
In the first game, you take control of the main character Warren, a new employee on his way to CREO, one of the massive corporations that dominate the market.
Warren is using a wheelchair, so after choosing his exoskeleton rig to be able to walk which is one of CREO’s specialties, the procedure he underwent gets really bad making Warren pass out and waking hours later only to find out the facility is being destroyed by drones and deranged people.
In the second game, rather than playing with a pre-fixed character the player has the option to create their own.
Starting with the main character aboard a plane they befriend a young girl named Athena Guttenberg, the UTOPIA rocket which is CREO’s project as a means to restore Earth collides with the plane damaging it causing it to fall in the outskirts of Jericho.
Two months later the player character wakes up in a hospital while it’s being attacked, and they have to survive in order to follow Athena’s trail and find out what happened to her.
If you are into Cyberpunk dystopian future with soulslike gameplay then you can check out the games on GOG, Steam, or the Epic Store.
The Surge GOG, Steam, Epic Store.
The Surge 1 & 2 are also out on PS4 and Xbox One.
Let it Die
Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture
Publisher: GungHo Online Entertainment
Release date: December 3, 2016
Let it Die is a free to play game that was initially released on PS4 but eventually made it on PC as well, the game is set in a future Tokyo 2026 after the destruction that was caused by the tectonic plates.
The southern part of Tokyo became submerged under the sea and in its place a large tower began to rise, the players can create their own character and their objective is to reach to the top with the help of Uncle Death.
Let it Die has numerous equipment and a colorful pattern that is filled with violence and humor, promising a lot of fun adventures to anyone who’s interested in playing this game.
If you are a fan of games with humor but still need to play one that keeps the soulslike essence of then you can find Let it Die on Steam.
Let it Die is also available for PS4.
Outward
Developer: Nine Dots
Publisher: Deep Silver
Release date: March 26, 2019
Outward is probably one of the most story rich games on this list, giving the player a huge environment to explore, multiple paths to choose from, and filled with dialogue, this game will feel more like a fairy tale rather than a dark and gritty soulslike game.
Don’t get fooled by its appearance though, the game can be brutal and without careful planning and consideration, you will most certainly lose even the easiest of battles.
You start the game as a villager of Cierzo, and after being shipwrecked, you return to the village finding out the reason you joined the adventure was to repay the Blood Price you inherited by your late family, so you could repay the debt.
Now with nothing to offer you have to find a way to free yourself of this debt or else you will be exiled from the village forever.
After ignoring the debt or paying it though, is where the real adventure begins.
Outward features co-op so we strongly recommend you play it with one more friend.
If you like a story rich game with soulslike fighting mechanics then you can find Outward on GOG, Steam, and the Epic Store.
Outward is also available on Linux, PS4 and Xbox One.
Mortal Shell
Developer: Cold Symmetry
Publisher: Playstack
Release date: August 18, 2020
Mortal Shell is probably one of the best and most similar games to the Dark Souls series.
But like the other games, it also has its own twist going on.
Your primary appearance is a slim and brittle anthropomorphic creature, that can enter the carcasses of dead warriors and inherit their abilities, so each one is unique and they all have their own skillsets and attributes.
There’s also a unique move which is called Harden and once you master it your fights will become a lot easier.
Mortal Shell takes place in a dark and twisted world that is filled with nightmarish monsters that show no mercy.
In Mortal Shell you will begin your journey at the central area which is called Falgrim, there you will meet a creature called the Old Prisoner, your objective is to bring him all the Glands that can be found around the areas.
If you are a huge fan of the Souls series then you should definitely try this game, Mortal shell is available on GOG, Steam, and the Epic Store.
Mortal Shell is also available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Best Sidescroller / Platformer Soulslike Games
Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight
Developer: Bombservice
Publisher: Playism
Release date: March 4, 2016
Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight isn’t actually the first game in the series but a prequel to Momodora One which is set 400 years in the past.
You play as a Priestess named Kaho, who travels to the kingdom of Karst, to stop a curse that has been spreading all over the land and is also affecting her village.
The gameplay follows the basic metroidvania formula which consists of melee and ranged attacks but the players can also find numerous items along the journey, some of them can be equipped and others can be used as spells to assist her in combat.
Every area has its own unique boss that Kaho has to go through.
Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight is available on GOG and Steam.
It is also available for Linux, MacOS, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Slain: Back from Hell
Developer: Wolf Brew Games
Publisher: Digerati Distribution
Release date: March 24, 2016
Slain: Back from Hell is a game that features a lot of similarities to the classic Castlevania series, it has a lot of Gothic architecture and Heavy Metal elements.
The player takes control of Bathoryn, a doomed hero who is awakened from his slumber to liberate the world from the six cursed Overlords.
The game features 3 elemental weapons each with its own combos and timings, multiple enemies and traps to keep an eye out, and a mana bar to unleash devastating attacks.
If you like a brutal monster packed game with multiple boss types, a Gothic architecture accompanied by a Heavy Metal soundtrack you can find Slain: Back from Hell on GOG and Steam.
Slain: Back from Hell is also available on MacOS, Linux, PS4, PSVit, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Death’s Gambit: Afterlife
Developer: White Rabbit
Publisher: Adult Swim Games
Release date: August 14, 2018
Death’s Gambit: Afterlife is a game that has deep RPG elements and precise combat, it has 22 weapons, over 100 talents, crafting, and more.
Its excellent aesthetic and story will suck you in for hours as you explore the world of Siradon.
You play as Death’s right hand who challenges the undying guardians of the realm, but what fate lies at the end is unknown.
If you like metroidvania games with rich RPG elements great lore and amazing visuals you can find Death’s Gambit: Afterlife on GOG and Steam.
Death’s Gambit: Afterlife is also available on PS4 and Nintendo Switch.
Hollow Knight
Developer: Team Cherry
Publisher: Team Cherry
Release date: February 24, 2017
Hollow knight is a game that follows a dark premise with a story that might not be for the weak of heart.
You play as a nameless knight and your purpose is to uncover the mysteries that lie beneath the town of Dirtmouth, a ruined kingdom full of riches and old secrets ready to be discovered.
You will come across multiple areas such as caverns, ancient cities, and wastelands, encountering multiple tainted enemies or become friends with weird looking insects.
The game features sidescrolling gameplay with dodge, dash, and slashing mechanics.
It offers a lot of freedom and choices that consist of charms, skills to equip, or what enemies you want to face.
It also has a unique feature where you can leap into the minds of others and find out more about them.
If you like 2D soulslike games with tight controls, unique artstyle and a not so happy story then you can find Hollow Knight on GOG and Steam.
Hollow knight is also available on MacOS, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Grime
Developer: Clover Bite
Publisher: Akupara Games
Release date: August 2, 2021
Grime is a game with a very unique surreal aesthetic, the world and its inhabitants look like something from a trippy nightmare.
The story of this game is also as surreal as it gets, you play as a character with a black hole as a head, and the world became as it is because some unknown material collapsed in on itself creating the world and the monsters surrounding it.
The combat in this game is fast paced, the weapons are living and evolve during combat, improving your skills require you to absorb your fallen enemies, and last but not least you will face otherworldly bosses.
If you like surreal games with nightmarish creatures and anatomical horrors then you can find GRIME on GOG, Steam, and Epic Store.
Dead Cells
Developer: Motion Twin
Publisher: Motion Twin
Release date: May 10, 2017
Dead Cells is a metroidvania game, where you will probably die many times trying to get past a level that is guarded by the keepers.
The story begins with a creature that possesses a corpse inside a dungeon, the goal is to find a way out, but in order to do that the player has to collect various weapons that will help the fight against enemy encounters.
The levels are procedurally generated and interconnected, collect power ups, skins, abilities, and money that will help you progress the story.
The enemies sometimes will drop cells that allow you to get permanent power ups such as carrying more potions. These cells have to be spent at the end of each dungeon run, if the player dies before that, they lose all collected cells.
If you are a fan of metroidvania games and procedurally generated levels with roguelite and soulsike elements then you can find Dead Cells on GOG, Steam, and Epic Store.
Dead Cells is also available on Linux, macOS, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, iOS, and Android.
Blasphemous
Developer: The Game Kitchen
Publisher: Team17
Release date: September 10, 2019
Blasphemous is a brutal action sidescroller with a lot of platforming and hack and slash combat, fight hordes of enemies that stand between you and your mission to break free from eternal damnation.
The player takes control of the Penitent One, the sole survivor of the Silent Sorrow.
The world around him has fallen into despair, from a foul curse that has taken with it all of Cvstodia and its inhabitants.
Your objective is to explore and find out what happened, you can use devastating combos and executions to destroy your enemies, and the huge bosses you will encounter, equip rosaries and prayers that call on the powers of the heavens to assist you in combat.
If you like games with twisted and dark atmosphere then you can find Blasphemous on GOG and Steam.
Blasphemous is also available on Linux, MacOS, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
Developer: Adglobe & Live Wire
Publisher: Binary Haze Interactive
Release date: January 21, 2021
Ender Lilies is a Dark Fantasy 2D action RPG that is set in a destroyed kingdom full of monsters and mysteries waiting to be discovered.
The story of this game is about a horrific event when a rainfall in Land’s End, started transforming all living things into monsters who are called Blighted, thus causing the kingdom to fall into ruin.
The player takes control of Lily the last surviving descendant of the White Priestesses, who have the ability to cleanse the corruption.
Since Lily is quite young and has no means of defending herself she is bound with the spirit of a knight that has sworn to protect her.
The game mechanics include dodge, dash, and slash, you can acquire melee, ranged and magic skills to fight off your enemies, mix and match relics and abilities that suit your playstyle, and more.
If you like dark fantasy and anime aesthetics then you can find Elder Lilies: Quietus of the Knights on Steam.
You can also find Ender Lilies on Xbox One, Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch.
Custodian: Beginning of the End
Developer: Red-Pixel
Publisher: Red-Pixel
Release date: September 1, 2021
Here’s a game that is not that famous but is heavily inspired by the aesthetics of the Souls games.
Custodian is a game that focuses heavily on platforming and the story is pretty similar to that of Dark Souls.
After a bloody war, a dark fog covering the world has turned all living things into monsters.
The survivors are called The Living, they took refuge above the clouds where the fog couldn’t reach, in the branches of the World Tree.
The player will take control of a member from The Order of the Custodians, who vowed to protect the last refuge of the Living.
The game features mechanisms and modifications allowing you to access areas that you couldn’t do so previously, there’s a variety of enemies from strong to weak so consider your moves before engaging, and secrets that are usually missed the first time you go through an area so keep your eyes peeled.
If you like platformer games with similarities to the souls games then you can find Custodian on Steam.
We couldn’t find a trailer for this game so here’s a video of the prologue instead.
Salt and Sanctuary
Developer: Ska Studios
Publisher: Ska Studios
Release date: March 15, 2016
Salt and Sanctuary is a game where you have to explore a haunting island, combining fast paced combat with deep RPG mechanics.
You play as a sailor who is shipwrecked on an uncharted island, with wandering monsters and old structures.
Besides the fast combat and the RPG mechanics, the game features crafting and the player can discover and upgrade over 600 weapons, armor pieces and spells, items, and more.
Explore cursed cities, blood soaked dungeons, and desecrated monuments that were once a point of celebration for the fallen lords.
If you like dark games that provide you with a lot of options to evolve and customize your character then you can find Salt and Sanctuary on GOG and Steam.
Salt and Sanctuary is also available on Linux, MacOS, PS4, XboxOne, and Nintendo Switch.
Best Top Down / Isometric Soulslike Games
Titan Souls
Developer: Acid Nerve, Devolver Digital
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Release date: April 14, 2015
Titan souls is a hardcore rogue lite game where the hero has only one life and only one bow, this game is for the most dedicated players.
The player controls a nameless hero which is only referred to as “Another Lost Soul”, traveling the world beyond where colossal titans await.
Use your arrow, dash, and run, avoiding their attacks to fight them off and emerge victorious, but death in this game is inevitable so be prepared to die.
If you like hardcore games with rogue lite elements then you can find Titan Souls on GOG and Steam.
Titan Souls is also available on MacOSX, PS4, and Android.
Hyper Light Drifter
Developer: Heart Machine, Abylight S.L.
Publisher: Heart Machine, Abylight Studios, Iam8bit Inc., Playism
Release date: March 31, 2016
Hyper Light Drifter is a colorful game with a beautiful pixel art style, and fast paced combat that will surely captivate everyone who loves those games.
The player takes control of a Drifter, they are collectors of forgotten knowledge, lost technologies, and broken histories.
The purpose of the Drifter is to travel deep in the lands of Buried Time to find a cure for an illness that is slowly killing him.
The game features ranged combat as well as melee and dodge mechanics, you can upgrade your weapons, learn new skills, and discover new gear while traversing the world.
If you like colorful games that are easy to learn but hard to master then you can find Hyper Light Drifter on GOG Steam, and Epic Store.
Hyper Light Drifter is also available on Linux, MacOSX, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and iOS.
Morbid: The Seven Acolytes
Developer: Still Running
Publisher: Merge Games
Release date: December 3, 2020
Morbid: The Seven Acolytes is a health, stamina, and sanity management game with dodge rolls and Lovecraftian horrors that will keep you on edge.
You take the role of the last surviving Striver of Dibron, your duty is to destroy the Seven Acolytes for which you have trained do to so your whole life.
They are powerful beings, possessed by malevolent deities called Gahar.
The game features numerous enemies, mini bosses, and large scale boss fights, the progression system offers a variety of quests, perks, runes, upgrades and loot.
Over 25 weapons such as swords, axes, maces, spears, pistols, and much more.
If you like games based on Lovecraftian horror with pixel art and a stamina based combat then you can find Morbid: The Seven Acolytes on Steam.
Morbid: The Seven Acolytes is also available on PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Devil Slayer Raksasi
Developer: GlassesCatGames
Publisher: indienova
Release date: November 12, 2019
Devil Slayer Raksasi is a true top down game with procedurally generated levels and roguelike elements.
Its gameplay though is soulslike, so it needs dodging and timing the right moment to strike back.
The story is about a war between humans, monsters, and demons so seven heroines formed a group to fight off the invasion.
You can choose up to seven heroines, each one with her own set of skills.
The game currently has 6 chapters, 167 types of enemies, and 212 relics.
If you like true top down games isnpired by Japanese art style and lore then you can find Devil Slayer Raksasi on Steam.
Devil Slayer Raksasi is also available on PS4 and Nintendo Switch.
Below
Developer: Capybara Games
Publisher: Capybara Games
Release date: December 14, 2018
Below is a game about solidarity and discovery, the game is simplistic by nature but very beautiful to play and look at.
The story of Below unfolds as you play and discover what secrets it holds by traversing through the ruins the deeper you go.
You are a stranded explorer washed ashore on an island and have to travel into the depths, choosing which path to take has to be carefully considered.
In Below you find gear as you go and save your progress at bonfires, in a similar manner to the Souls series, spelunky your way by discovering secrets about the Isle and find out the story about the events that came before you.
If you like spelunky type games with a soulslike twist then you can find Below on Steam.
Below is also available on PS4 and Xbox One.
Death’s Door
Developer: Acid Nerve
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Release date: July 20, 2021
Death’s Door is a game about a Crow working as a reaper collecting souls for his company Reaping Commission Headquarters, an office-like bureaucratic afterlife.
You play as a Crow but his life was monotonous until a soul he was trying to retrieve gets stolen, so things get interesting and thus he is forced to venture into areas that are untouched by death.
In that world, creatures grow further than their life expectancy and are becoming greedy with power.
The combat is sharp, with melee weapons arrows, and magic.
You can customize your character by upgrading your abilities to gain an edge in your fight against the monsters.
Fight against numerous enemies and colossal bosses each one with its own unique quirks and story to tell.
If you like games with dark humor with a unique aesthetic and soulslike gameplay then you can find Death’s Door on GOG, Steam, and Epic Store.
Death’s Door is also available on Xbox One and Series X/S.
DarkMaus
Developer: Daniel Wright
Publisher: Daniel Wright
Release date: January 26, 2016
DarkMaus is another true top down souls like game, the player controls a mouse and has to fight numerous critters to survive.
The game is set in the world of Hazath, which became corrupted.
You play as a lonely wanderer in a mission to find out what happened.
The combat mechanics are skilled based and include melee weapons and bows, but the player can also throw fireballs.
The game offers a unique feature which is called Death Echo, an ally ghost is summoned that retraces your steps fighting alongside you.
With time you can collect multiple allied ghosts, choose their weapon and plan your strategies.
If you are a fan of true top down games with animalistic characters and soulslike elements then you can find DarkMaus on Steam.
Eldest Souls
Developer: Fallen Flag Studio
Publisher: United Label, CI Games
Release date: July 29, 2021
Eldest Souls is a fast paced, souls like game where every moment counts, defeat the Old Gods, and gain their power, if you are up for the challenge.
After years of serving the Old Gods, mankind rebelled against them and they decided to imprison them within the sacred walls of the Citadel.
But as an act of desperation, the Old Gods unleashed a great Desolation that caused mankind to slowly fade away.
The only hope lies within the lone warrior, The Crusader, armed with the purest Obsydian Greatsword.
Fight unique bosses, explore an ancient kingdom full of interesting NPCs, and compelling questlines to discover the truth behind the imprisonment of the Old Gods.
The game features a vast array of Talents and Abilities to build the character however you see fit.
If you like soulslike game with pixel art and challenging combat then you can find Eldest Souls on GOG and Steam.
Eldest Souls is also available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
Immortal Planet
Developer: teedoubleuGAMES, Monster Couch
Publisher: teedoubleuGAMES, Monster Couch
Release date: July 27, 2017
Immortal Planet is a Sci-fi souls like game that is based on single checkpoints with challenging and complex enemy behavior, and even if you die you will gather experience to build up your character and try again.
The story takes part on the icy surface of a forgotten planet where immortals sleep, a lone Awakewalker emerges from cryosleep, with no memories of the past, so it’s up to them to forge their future, uncover the planet’s mysteries, and fight to escape this icy hell.
The game offers souls like progression so even upon death, you can still level up your character.
You can customize your playstyle with numerous items and spells.
The stamina and health bar of the enemies you’ll encounter is visible so you can strategize your attacks and fight accordingly.
Your character has stamina as well so there’s also a dodge mechanic much like the Souls series.
Single checkpoint levels with multiple shortcuts to unlock and multi staged boss fights to keep things interesting.
If you like Sci-fi isometric games with cartoony visuals but want a feel of soulslike gameplay then you can find Immortal Planet on Steam.
Immortal Planet is also available on PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.
Exanima
Developer: Bare Mettle Entertainment
Publisher: Bare Mettle Entertainment
Release date: April 29, 2015
Exanima is probably one of the most unique and different games on this list, it features a very deep, physics combat where even your steps and body placement matter.
The game follows the story of a prequel named Sui Generis, and little is known about the lore so everything is unknown to the player and to us.
After the character creation, the player is thrown into a dungeon and has to maintain the character alive throughout the entire experience, this game is not for the faint of heart.
Every item and environment is fully interactive, the AI is complex and smart, and the combat system is so detailed that each part of the body can be damaged individually.
It has a variety of weapons melee and ranged, each one with its own immersive mechanics.
If you’re up for the challenge and like dark fantasy games, with dungeon crawling and a difficulty level that might even surpass the Souls games then you can find Exanima on GOG and Steam.
Honorable Mentions
Remnant: From the Ashes
Developer: Gunfire Games
Publisher: Perfect World
Release date: August 16, 2019
Remnant: From the Ashes is a soulslike, third person, post apocalyptic shooter set in a world that has been overrun by monsters.
You play as one of the last remnants of humanity trying to fight off hordes of invading enemies.
In this game, you even have the choice to play co-op with a buddy.
The game features a variety of enemies, loot such as weapons, armor, and modifications to build the character to your liking.
If you like shooters with souls like elements then you can find Remnant: From the Ashes on Steam and Epic Store.
Remnant: From the Ashes is also available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Series X/S.
Returnal
Developer: Housemarque
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release date: April 30, 2021
Returnal is one of the newest games on this list, this game is a third person shooter as well, but it is set on a foreign planet full of monstrous aliens that the player has to fight with.
The player takes control of Selene, she has crashed onto an unknown planet but death will come easy on the shapeshifting ruins that she has to traverse through.
Each time she dies though she keeps remembering and making her more powerful in order to overcome the last obstacle that led to her demise.
If you like sci-fi shooters with metroidvania elements and a soulslike twist then you can find Returnal on the Playstation Store.
Elderborn
Developer: Hyperstrange
Publisher: Hyperstrange
Release date: October 11, 2018
Ever wonder what it would be like to play Dark Souls but in first person? Well, Elderborn is the closest thing you will get.
With brutal heavy metal playing in the background crazy executions and hordes of monsters, this game will surely captivate anyone who loves violence.
This game is like Doom and Dark Souls had a baby!
The story is about a tribe of Barbarians looking for their new Messiah, that role is being taken upon yourself, thus you begin your venture through the Ancient City.
The game features a skill progression system, 11 weapons each one with its own unique combos, a huge variety of enemies, and a new game plus mode.
If you like brutal first person games, then you can find Elderborn on GOG and Steam.
Elderborn is also available on PS4, Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch.
Eastern Exorcist
Developer: Bilibili
Publisher: Wildfire Games
Release date: June 16, 2020
Eastern Exorcist is as the name suggests, a game that has to do about Asian mythology and demons let loose around the world.
The player takes control of two Exorcists, and their objective is to battle against those demons in order to restore peace in the kingdom.
The game features a beautiful hand drawn art style, a variety of skills, and a combination of items to build your own playstyle and fight off any enemies you encounter.
If you like Asian mythology and hand drawn sidescrolling combat then you can find Eastern Exorcist on Steam.
Eastern Exorcist is also available on PS4.
Bleak Faith: Forsaken
Developer: Miso Vukcevic, Mirko Stanic, Archangel Studios
Publisher: Miso Vukcevic
Release date: TBD
This is probably one of our most anticipated games and we can’t wait to hear more from it, the developer team consists only of two people so the work we see here is phenomenal.
The story about Bleak Faith is enveloped around a long forgotten civilization where only its remnants have been left behind, you as the character have to find out the mysteries in this interconnected world and find your own purpose.
The game features an open world map, offering you the freedom to climb and leap almost anywhere, hardcore combat, timing, dodging, and positioning is everything, a character progression system, and playstyle similar to Dark Souls, that means that some stats and abilities might not be reversible, so choose wisely.
If you like soulslike games based on a twisted reality full of grotesque creatures and violence then you can find Bleak Faith: Forsaken on Steam.
Bleak Faith: Forsaken is also available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Series X/S.
The post 35 Best Soulslike Games You Can Play on 2021 (PC & Console) appeared first on Altar of Gaming.