Summary
- Soulslike games no longer have to be unfairly difficult, offering engaging gameplay with manageable challenges.
- Titles like Steelrising and Remnant 2 merge Soulslike elements with new mechanics for a fresh experience.
- Games such as Mortal Shell and Blasphemous 2 offer customizable combat and stunning worlds without overwhelming difficulty.
The Soulslike genre has evolved a lot since its creation over a decade ago, but something that has always been closely associated with it is difficulty. Bosses that take hours to take down, brutal enemies that unleash an array of attacks around every corner, and a world that is more out to get the player than even the enemies in it — these are all staples. There are no margins for error, and the challenge can often feel a bit on the unfair side.
Thankfully, there are still plenty of Soulslikes that still capture the satisfying gameplay and expert worldbuilding, without forcing the player to strain every muscle in their body just to clear a single boss. It is nice when the game is aware of its own challenge, and when the developer turns the dial down just a bit, it can make the game a lot more enjoyable.
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8 Steelrising
Aggressive Automatons That Don't Push The Limits
Steelrising
- Released
- September 8, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Developer(s)
- Spiders
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
Steelrising is an interesting title that takes the world of the French Revolution and fuses it with a mechanical nightmare that is just as frightening as it is awesome. The world is gorgeous and the gameplay follows suit, taking elements from the Soulslike genre but keeping things manageable by keeping enemy patterns simpler and easier to read.
There is even an assist mode that allows players to play around with damage numbers and stamina consumption, and even lets players become immortal. Everything feels more linear and less overwhelming. The enemy designs are still satisfying to fight, but never make the player feel out of their depth, even at the start.
7 Remnant 2
Crispy Gunplay With A Decent Challenge
Remnant 2
- Released
- July 25, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Gunfire Games
- Genre(s)
- Soulslike, Third-Person Shooter
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Remnant 2 builds on the existing DNA of the original, creating a much more well-rounded experience that allows for immersive co-op battles against some fearsome foes. Bringing the Soulslike genre to a more shooter-oriented game is a nice change, and the enemies still put up a decent fight whilst still allowing for plenty of counterplay and strategy.
The customization is what really sets the game apart, letting players swap out their weapons and abilities on the fly and upgrade them however they choose. And the ability to play with a group of other players, means that even if a fight is proving to be more of a challenge than expected, the extra firepower ensures that any boss can go down without too much trouble.
6 Thymesia
Short, Sweet, And Never Too Much
Thymesia
- Released
- August 15, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Violence
- Developer(s)
- OverBorder Studio
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- Amazon Luna, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
A short-lived entry that still shows off plenty, Thymesia is a great Soulslike that brings the face-paced action of games like Bloodborne but keeps things more restrained when it comes to difficulty. The key feature is the ability to use the enemy's weapons against them through powerful abilities that transform the combat in every encounter.
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When a boss does turn up, the attack patterns are fairly short and simple, meaning it's possible to play as fast or slowly as they feel comfortable and still find just as much success. The HP pools of each boss are never too high, and they always fall after a satisfying, simple, yet still rewarding battle.
5 Salt And Sanctuary
Simplistic Gameplay With A Unique Art Style
Salt and Sanctuary
- Released
- March 15, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
Salt and Sanctuary is a nice entrant into the genre that was made by two individuals with a lot of talent and passion. The level design clearly pays homage to the early Dark Souls games. It encourages players to venture out into the world, without giving them the safety net of fast traveling back to a hub location.
The combat is simplistic yet fun. Every new enemy provides a new challenge to overcome, and they all feel intuitive in their design. It is easy to get lost in the world, as there is so much hidden lore and information all over. For fans of the Soulslike genre, there is more than enough challenge to still feel engaged throughout.
4 Mortal Shell
Great For Soulslike Fans And Newcomers To The Genre
Mortal Shell
- Released
- August 18, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Cold Symmetry
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PS4, PS5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Mortal Shell is a compact yet immersive Soulslike game that introduces a few unique mechanics that keep it feeling fresh from the crowd. Players can use the Harden ability to absorb damage and follow up with an attack of their own, and the class system is replaced by different Shells that each have their own attributes and playstyles.
The combat is heavy and extremely satisfying, with each swing of the sword giving a real sense of power. Enemies are fairly standard and never feel overwhelming in their attacks or numbers, allowing players to take every fight at their own pace and still progress through the story without too much challenge.
3 Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Force Powers Mixed With Satisfying Melee Combat
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
- Released
- April 28, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Respawn Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure, Soulslike, Sci-Fi
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
The Jedi games have always taken a slightly different route from other games in the genre, but they still keep a lot of the gameplay feel that makes Soulslikes so enjoyable. With swordplay that rewards precision and timing, difficulty settings that provide meaningful differences, and battles that feed into the fantasy of being a force user, Survivor is the perfect way for a player to enter the genre without feeling out of their depth.
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Every upgrade changes how the player interacts with enemies. There are so many options in terms of customization and combat, giving all the power to the player without compromising in any way. Puzzles are a big part of the world too. Each area presents a unique set of challenges, both in the enemies found there and in the environmental threats they encounter.
2 Blasphemous 2
Focuses More On The Gorgeous World Than Unfair Difficulty
Blasphemous 2
- Released
- August 24, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Violence
- Developer(s)
- The Game Kitchen
- Genre(s)
- Soulslike, Metroidvania, Platformer
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Metroidvanias have always shared some elements with Soulslike games, and Blasphemous 2 is one of the best in both. The setting is beautiful, taking inspiration from Renaissance Italian architecture and religious imagery to create a universe that is both brutal and stunning at the same time.
The brutality extends to the fighting, as players dash and slash across the screen with a selection of weapons that each have their own style to mix up the gameplay throughout the playthrough. The game isn't a cakewalk by any means, but the difficulty is a nice steady curve. Even when it reaches its peak, it is still manageable even for less seasoned players.
1 Another Crab's Treasure
An Undersea Journey Unlike Any Other
Another Crab's Treasure
- Released
- April 25, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Crude Humor, Language, Use of Tobacco, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Aggro Crab
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Another Crab's Treasure was a surprising addition to the genre that brought so much charm and humor that just wasn't seen anywhere else. Playing as the lovable crab, Krill, players float across the ocean floor in search of their stolen shell, encountering plenty of other crustaceans and sea-dwelling critters that are set on taking them out.
The combat blends a parrying foundation with more forgiving attack windows, which means that the player can get all the satisfaction that comes from the more challenging titles, without pulling their hair out in order to get by. With all the side content available, it is very easy to become borderline overpowered, turning even the harder fights into pushovers that die in a matter of seconds.
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