Considering so many Soulslike games involve taking down either gods or god-like beings, the genre is not exactly known for power fantasies. Soulslikes strive to go in the opposite direction, producing hard-as-nails campaigns that demand a lot from players. Just to be clear, I love that aspect of Soulslikes, and by no means do I wish they were easier. However, sometimes, it is fun to just wreck a few fools and feel like an unstoppable deity in the process.
While open-world and role-playing games have plenty of games with OP protagonists, Soulslikes are not usually part of that selection, despite sharing elements with both genres (and, sometimes, being part of them). However, there are a couple of titles that just about qualify, with a few caveats. If played in a specific way, these Soulslike games will empower you.
Some criteria and notes:
- We are going to be strict with the "Soulslike" definition and try to avoid games that need to be stretched to fit the genre. So, Stellar Blade and Black Myth: Wukong will not be considered.
- It is not enough that a game casts you as a god-like entity. For example, Darksiders 3's Fury has the backstory that almost makes her seem like a god, but she isn't so powerful in-game as to feel like one (unless played on the lowest difficulty).
- For a game to qualify, the player has to be able to become/feel OP within the first playthrough. So, no New Game +7 where you can destroy all bosses with two hits after learning their movesets by heart.
5 Another Crab's Treasure
Don't Bring A Fork To A Gun Fight
Another Crab's Treasure
- Released
- April 25, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Aggro Crab
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
OK, here is one of those Soulslike games that comes with a big caveat. While far from the hardest entry in the genre, a standard Another Crab's Treasure run will not make you feel like a walking calamity that takes no underwater prisoners. Kril is just a humble crab who is trying to retrieve his stolen shell, and he is capable but far from powerful. He goes down relatively quickly against most enemies, although he has access to an impressive range of skills that vary depending on his armor (or shell).
Best Soulslikes for People Who Don't Like Soulslike Games
These highly accessible soulslikes still offer a challenge, although they do so without punishing players quite as harshly as some of their peers.
However, if you want to become ridiculously OP, Another Crab's Treasure has a mode that gives Kril a handgun. Yes, that's right, the crab is packing heat, and he basically one-shoots enemies without any issues. Does it trivialize the combat completely? Of course, but "the Give Kril a Gun" mode is an absolute blast! Another Crab's Treasure is also a platformer, so this feature is a valid option for anyone who wants to just focus on that aspect.
4 Titan Souls
One-Hit God
Titan Souls
- Released
- April 14, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
This one is a bit tricky. Titan Souls is, basically, a boss rush top-down Soulslike where a kid goes on a quest to kill 20 Titans (or 21, if you try hard mode). Although nimble and deadly with a bow, the protagonist is extremely weak, to the point that a single hit will spell their doom. So, he hardly has god-like defenses; however, the Titans are built the same way, falling after a solitary bullseye.
The bosses are designed like puzzles, where players have to analyze their moves, review their weak spots, and pinpoint the ideal opportunity to fire their single arrow. Death will come and is part of the process, but when the boy finally succeeds in taking down a Titan, it is extremely satisfying due to the difference in scale and the one-shot nature of the encounter.
3 Demon's Souls (Boss Fights)
Slayer Of Demons
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Demon's Souls
Display card tags widget Display card system widgetDisplay card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget Display card main info widgetDisplay card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end- Released
- October 6, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONPHYSICAL- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Genre(s)
- Soulslike, Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 3
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Demon's Souls
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10 /10Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end- Released
- November 12, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONDIGITALPHYSICAL- Developer(s)
- Bluepoint Games
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5
I'm not saying Demon's Souls is easy, and that goes for both versions. Honestly, in some ways, the original title and the remake are harder than most Soulslikes, including FromSoftware's other releases. The simple act of exploring is intense, and most areas have difficult routes to reach the bosses and no major shortcuts. That said, the journey is almost consistently harder than the destination. While Soulslikes are primarily associated with overwhelming boss fights, Demon's Souls is a huge exception since its larger-than-life enemies generally go down with little resistance.
Demon's Souls has, in my opinion, two hard mandatory boss fights: Maneater and Flamelurker. Maybe False King Allant, if I'm being generous. Even then, they are not extremely difficult and will likely not provide too much of a challenge for experienced players who love the genre.
While you will not feel unstoppable for 90% of a playthrough, you might feel like a god when you are demolishing behemoths like the Tower Knight and the Storm King without having to really do all that much. Bosses like the Adjudicator, Old Hero, and Leechmonger go down quickly as well.
2 Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin
Soulslike God Of All Jobs
Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin
- Released
- March 18, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Team Ninja
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin got kind of a mixed response at launch, particularly due to its messy story, corny cutscenes, and fairly dated graphics. However, the combat is fantastic, which is hardly surprising considering Team Ninja handled the game. Stranger of Paradise takes a few ideas from Nioh, including prioritizing build variety and self-contained levels; however, the former is considerably easier, even when played on the highest difficulty setting that is initially provided.
That said, the campaign is by no means a cakewalk, and players will generally need to bring their A-game to survive. So, where does the god-like element come from? Well, Jack can assume 28 jobs, all of which play different enough to qualify as unique classes. This mechanic turns Jack into the ultimate master, a being capable of adapting to every situation and need. Also, he is pretty vicious, loving to execute special attacks that reduce enemies to nothing.
1 Dark Souls (Sorcerer Build)
An Intelligent God Who Destroys From A Distance
Dark Souls
- Released
- September 22, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Soulslike, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
More often than not, Soulslikes include a build route that becomes unofficially known as the "easy" mode. This holds true for each Dark Souls game, to an extent, and many other releases that fall within the genre; however, FromSoftware's 2011 masterpiece is probably the most well-known example. While it will take a while to grow the Intelligence stat, pick up some Moonlight weapons, and unlock a few worthwhile Sorceries, mages will relatively quickly start destroying Dark Souls' bosses.
Magic/Sorcery is fairly powerful in Dark Souls 2 and 3, but those games are balanced way better to take into account these types of builds.
With Homing Crystal Soulmass or Dark Bead, a sorcerer can just bombard enemies from a safe distance, and quite a few bosses do not have the tools to counter this tactic. You turn into a god that rains death on powerful beings who are rendered helpless as they face their mortality with no hope of escape.
Best Dark Souls Characters, Ranked
Dark Souls is an incredibly challenging trilogy with some amazingly complex and memorable characters, but who ranks as the best of them all?