FromSoftware took a bit of a gamble with Elden Ring. Although the Dark Souls series had developed quite a cult following, some people were skeptical that the creators could replicate the franchise's success in an open-world setting. Thankfully, all that skepticism and doubt subsided once the anticipated release hit store shelves. Elden Ring managed to surpass expectations for many, developing a massive following and standing firm as one of the best titles that FromSoftware has ever created.
It's a lengthy adventure, and players can spend countless hours exploring the vast reaches of The Lands Between. However, once they have finished the release and played through the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, the Tarnished might find themselves craving something similar that they can sink their teeth into. Here's a look at some of the best games with Elden Ring vibes, whether they be open-world style releases, or simply titles that offer players immense challenge and entertainment value.
Updated February 25, 2025 by Mark Sammut: Elden Ring Nightreign is confirmed for May 30, 2025, marking a new chapter in FromSoftware's project. Unlike Shadow of the Erdtree, which is an expansion that requires the base game, Nightreign is designed to be a standalone adventure. That said, the playerbase will likely consist mainly of die-hard Elden Ring fans.
As exciting (and bizarre) as this release is, Nightreign is still a few months away from its debut. Consequently, these games like Elden Ring should be able to help fans pass the time.
1 The Dark Souls Series
Setting The Stage For Elden Ring
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Dark Souls
Display card tags widget Display card system widgetDisplay card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget endDisplay card community and brand rating widget- Released
- September 22, 2011
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Platform(s)
- Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Soulslike, Adventure
Pros & Cons- Deep & Great Lore
- While A Bit Rougher At Times, The Combat Is Basically Identical To Elden Ring
- Fantastic Level Design
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Dark Souls 2
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Dark Souls 3
Display card tags widget Display card system widgetDisplay card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget endDisplay card community and brand rating widget- Released
- March 24, 2016
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Those who have played Elden Ring but haven't yet been through the Dark Souls series need to put it at the top of their list. This is perhaps the closest experience to Elden Ring in terms of gameplay and combat, though it's not nearly as open-world as FromSoftware's latest offering. That said, the worlds offered in the Dark Souls saga are just as dark, foreboding, and vastly imaginative as some of The Lands Between. Players that enjoy the gritty aesthetic of Elden Ring's dungeons, castles, and catacombs, will find themselves right at home.
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The Dark Souls series pioneered the formula found in Elden Ring, meaning players will already be familiar with the idea of resting at particular areas to level their character up, as well as the weapons and armor systems found throughout each game. While exploration plays a part, Dark Souls does generally guide players in one direction, especially during their first playthroughs. In terms of boss fights, each game knocks its roster out of the park, delivering fights that are memorable, challenging, and unique. Even Dark Souls 2, the black sheep of the franchise, is worth a playthrough.
2 Demon's Souls
Where The Souls Genre Began...And Its Remake
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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 widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget endDisplay card community and brand rating widget- Released
- October 6, 2009
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 3
- Genre(s)
- Soulslike, Action RPG
Pros & Cons- Fantastic Atmosphere
- Great And Challenging Level Design
- Bosses Are Pretty Easy
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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 widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget endDisplay card community and brand rating widget- Released
- November 12, 2020
- Developer(s)
- Bluepoint Games
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Elden Ring is the culmination of more than a decade of trials, tribulations, evolution, and sweat. While perhaps FromSoftware's most popular game, Elden Ring is far from the be-all and end-all, and players who got introduced to the developer's work through the 2022 release owe it to themselves to not ignore the past. Dark Souls will likely call out to most people and is the best second step after Elden Ring; however, Demon's Souls is just as special and should be considered a must-play.
Released in 2009, Demon's Souls was a breath of fresh air and garnered acclaim for its Metroidvania-esque level design, cinematic boss fights, build variety, and just sheer ambition. While Elden Ring represents the (current) final form of Soulslikes, Demon's Souls laid the foundation which The Lands Between was built upon. The original version has aged well enough to still warrant a mention in this day and age, but the 2020 remake is a respectful and fateful adaptation that looks and plays brilliantly.
Despite having plenty of similarities with its successors, Demon's Souls is quite a different experience. For one, the main challenge comes from the areas rather than the bosses, the latter of which are fun but rarely very challenging. Slow and steady is generally the best approach to most situations, with the game not encouraging or rewarding aggressive play (particularly during the first playthrough). Rather than one continuous realm, Demon's Souls utilizes a hub system that links to five worlds that each have unique bonfires/levels. The player's actions and performance influence the World Tendency, which has a pretty big impact on stages.
3 Bloodborne
FromSoftware's Gothic Soulslike Masterpiece
Bloodborne
- Released
- March 24, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4
- Fast-Paced & Satisfying Combat
- Victorian Gothic Setting
- Quality Over Quantity Weapon Selection
- Loot Is Not That Exciting
- Performance Can Be Inconsistent At Times
Some of the enemies and NPCs found in Elden Ring are a bit grotesque in their appearance. There are some aspects of The Lands Between that are teeming with otherworldly horrors or afflicted with a sickness of sorts. Although it's unique in its own right, it's not the first time that FromSoftware has explored visually unsavory things. The horror-infused aspects of Elden Ring are reminiscent of Bloodborne's Gothic imagery, another Soulslike release from the developer.
Bloodborne is a much darker release than Elden Ring, more akin to Dark Souls in its punishing world design. Players will tangle with a wide array of powerful and horrific bosses as they make their way through corrupted areas filled with gorgeous architecture. As great as most of FromSoftware's non-open-world Soulslike projects are, Bloodborne arguably presents the strongest case for being the developer's masterpiece. Prioritizing fast-paced and aggressive combat, the game starts strong and never lets up, including a fantastic expansion that is just as much of a must-play as the base content.
4 Rise Of The Ronin
Team Ninja's Take On An Open-World
Rise of the Ronin
- Released
- March 22, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Team Ninja
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Adventure, Open-World
- Team Ninja's Combat System Is Impeccable
- Open-World (Not Brilliant, But Fits The Gameplay Well)
- So Much Loot
- Combat Styles
- Maybe Too Much Loot
- Surprisingly Story Driven...And Not That Great
Team Ninja has spent the last decade carving out its own identity in the Soulslike subgenre. Similar to FromSoftware, the developer eventually decided to try to implement its rock-solid combat into an open-world, resulting in 2024's Rise of the Ronin. Launching on the same day as Dragon's Dogma 2, Team Ninja's release was overshadowed by Capcom's game; however, out of the two releases, Rise of the Ronin is arguably a stronger pick for Elden Ring fans.
Now, it should be said that the game's open-world design has more in common with projects like Assassin's Creed or Horizon Zero Dawn than FromSoftware's release, so players will largely spend their time clearing markers from the map. Looking beyond that, Rise of the Ronin offers an accessible Soulslike gameplay loop that is deep and satisfying. The combat focuses heavily on parrying and traversal, making for a fast-paced system that does not lack variety due to a respectable range of weapon types. Customization is a big part of Rise of the Ronin's identity, granting players the freedom to morph equipment to suit their fancy.
5 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild & Tears Of The Kingdom
Expansive Open-World That Emphasizes Player Freedom
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The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Platform(s) Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Wii U Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch Released 2017-03-03 2023-05-12 Developer(s) Nintendo EPD Nintendo Genre(s) Open-World, Action, Adventure Open-World, Action, Adventure How Long To Beat 50 Hours 59 Hours
Similar to how Elden Ring arguably rejuvenated the open-world format, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild did the same thing in 2017. Despite being on the relatively weak Switch console, the game is massive, unleashing players on the most expansive version of Hyrule (at the time) and then telling them to just have fun.
Now, it needs to be said that BOTW and Elden Ring are very different in key ways. Their combat systems are not only nothing alike, but it is not even the main focus of BOTW. Although not completely devoid of customization options, the Zelda game is not designed around crafting unique characters or exploring different classes; after all, players are role-playing as Link. While technically containing loot, BOTW expects players to treat weapons as disposable. Boss encounters are rare and mostly pretty easy (except for some world bosses).
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Still, for all their differences, BOTW and Elden Ring's exploration and world layout are cut from the same cloth. Both games embrace full sandboxes, encouraging players to venture forth with very little direction. Plot beats are mostly limited to side quests, lore drops, and environmental storytelling, all of which can be ignored if that is somebody's preference. BOTW focuses a lot more on puzzles than Elden Ring, but they both excel in their exploration.
Tears of the Kingdom mostly builds on BOTW's foundations, delivering a proper sequel that mostly retains the same core map but adds mechanics and new areas. While not having the same desolate atmosphere as its predecessor, TOTK is a great follow-up.
6 Shadow Of The Colossus
Mountain-Size Bosses & Grim Setting
Shadow of the Colossus
- Released
- February 6, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bluepoint Games, JapanStudio, Team Ico
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
- Impeccable Atmosphere
- Larger-Than-Life Bosses
Many of the bosses found in Elden Ring are imposing and a handful stand as towering giants. Those who love the aesthetic and challenge of fighting these super-sized creatures can turn to Shadow of the Colossus after their Elden Ring adventure. It's pretty linear, with players taking down colossal creatures in a specific order, but the areas and creatures are gritty, much like the foes found in The Lands Between.
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Shadow of the Colossus is much more of a boss gauntlet than an explorative adventure, but players who enjoy learning the ins and outs of combat and striking down towering enemies should enjoy this gem. While Team Ico's 2005 original is a classic, the 2018 remake is the best entry point for new players as it comes with a notable performance boost, something that is an issue with its PS2-bound predecessor (although the remaster is fine too).
7 Nioh Series
Intense Combat That Is (Generally) More Fast-Paced Than Elden Ring
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Nioh Nioh 2 Platform(s) PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC Released 2017-02-07 2020-03-13 Developer(s) Team Ninja Team Ninja Genre(s) Action RPG Action RPG System PC, PlayStation PC, PlayStation OpenCritic Page https://opencritic.com/game/3539/nioh https://opencritic.com/game/8782/nioh-2 Top Critic Rating 88 85 Critics Recommend % 97 93
Team Ninja has been enamored with Soulslikes for the last half a decade, and the developer has produced some of the subgenre's most memorable and hardest games. While Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is an easy recommendation for fans of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, the company's strongest Soulslikes projects are the Nioh games. Both titles are incredible in their own right, and although they are definitely cut from the same cloth, they do have enough differences for them to stand out on their own.
The original Nioh follows William Adams as he goes on a supernatural-laced adventure through the final few years of Feudal Japan. Despite role-playing as a specific samurai, Nioh provides players with a fair amount of customization options when it comes to weapons and Guardian Spirits. Team Ninja's Ninja Gaiden background shines through Nioh's combat, which is considerably more fast-paced than FromSoftware's typical outings. The sequel builds on many of its predecessor's strongest features, while also introducing a player-created character.
Nioh does not offer Elden Ring's open-world exploration, but they do deliver fantastic action, deep mechanics that have a steep learning curve, and thrilling boss fights that rank among the best in the Soulslike sphere.
8 Star Wars Jedi Games
A Galaxy Far, Far Away Goes Through Its Soulslike Phase
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Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Platform(s) Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PS5, PS4, PC, Stadia, Xbox One PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PC Released 2019-11-15 2023-04-28 Developer(s) Respawn Entertainment Respawn Entertainment Genre(s) Action, Adventure Soulslike, Action-Adventure, Sci-Fi
EA and Respawn took a jab at the Soulslike genre through the Star Wars Jedi series, which consists of two games that rank among the sci-fi franchise's best efforts. As Cal Kestis, players travel to different planets in the cosmos, all the while trying to stay ahead of the Galactic Empire. The games blend exploration, platforming, and action quite well, which makes sense as the individual planets are framed after classic Metroidvania projects. Consequently, Cal gradually expands his moveset, granting him access to new areas along the way.
There is a lot to love about both Fallen Order and Survivor. They tell pretty good stories that build on each other well, and they do admirable jobs of bringing to life one of the most beloved universes in fiction. While not full-blown open-worlds, the individual planets are quite large, particularly in Survivor. The combat is, arguably, the weakest element of these games as it can lack precision at times; however, Respawn still created some of the best lightsaber action in gaming.
9 Hollow Knight
2D Metroidvania Masterpiece With Soulslike Combat
Hollow Knight
- Released
- February 24, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Team Cherry
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, macOS, Linux
- Genre(s)
- Metroidvania
- Lore
- Challenging & Great Combat
- So Much Content
Hollow Knight is solid proof that Indie games can be just as engrossing, challenging, and entertaining as AAA releases. Those looking for a fantastic (and sometimes frustrating) 2D adventure through a dark enemy-filled world should check out this epic from Team Cherry. A sidescrolling release, Hollow Knight makes great use of smooth platforming mechanics and upgrades in a Metroidvania styling, forcing players to explore their surroundings to find new skills and items to progress further into the Hallownest.
There's a beautiful, haunting, and strife-filled world to be found in Hollow Knight, similar to what players will experience in Elden Ring. Although the combat isn't as over-the-top thanks to the 2D styling, it's still incredibly satisfying and quite challenging as players progress.
10 Grim Dawn
An Isometric Action RPG Dark Fantasy
Grim Dawn
- Released
- February 25, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- Dark Fantasy Setting With Fascinating Lore
- Good And Challening Combat
- Gameplay Is Not Similar To Elden Ring
Soulslikes are associated with full 3D games or, to a lesser extent, 2D side-scrollers. Isometric action RPGs are generally regarded as their own thing, with maybe No Rest for the Wicked being something of an exception. That game is definitely worth a try by anyone craving a dark fantasy with challenging gameplay and reactive real-time combat, but it is still a work in progress. The same can be said for Path of Exile 2, which has a ways to go before the full version debuts. Diablo 4 is also an option, but that game is so far removed from Elden Ring that it is fairly difficult to recommend (and that has nothing to do with the project's quality, which has improved since its launch).
While not really that similar in terms of gameplay, Grim Dawn is nevertheless a valid option for players looking for a fairly difficult action RPG set within a dark fantasy world. Similar to Elden Ring, Grim Dawn prioritizes customizable builds, encouraging players to jump into a campaign blind so they can create and explore as they see fit. Although a bit more direct and involved than most Soulslikes, Grim Dawn's story is not particularly intrusive and mostly complements the lore and world-building. The combat is also pretty great and satisfying.