The Dark Souls series redefined modern action RPGs, combining punishing combat, intricate world designs, and dark, immersive lore, whilst also introducing the world to a brand new genre. Its influence continues to inspire waves of Soulslikes that embrace those challenging mechanics and rich fantasy worlds that echo the same eeriness and mystery that made Dark Souls a cultural touchstone.
In the near future, there are plenty of exciting Soulslikes looking to break into new ground and potentially dethrone the king itself. From gothic castles to decaying landscapes, they promise to test players’ skill, patience, and observation, all crafted with the same passion and devotion towards a dark and sinister cause.
Best Soulslike Games On Xbox Game Pass
Whether it's the punishing difficulty or epic boss encounters, these are the best Soulslike games on Xbox Game Pass.
Blight: Survival
Survival Meets Skill
Blight: Survival
- Developer(s)
- Haenir Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Behaviour Interactive
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
Blight: Survival combines survival mechanics with classic Soulslike combat, creating a tense, resource-conscious experience. Players must navigate treacherous environments while managing limited resources, where every encounter can prove fatal.
The game’s dark fantasy aesthetic and punishing difficulty mirror the Dark Souls approach, while its survival elements add a unique twist that looks to push into new ground. By merging cautious exploration with intense combat, Blight: Survival positions itself as a contender for fans seeking a fresh take on the Soulslike formula, whilst still staying familiar in a lot of ways.
Mortal Shell 2
Every Body Is A New Story
Mortal Shell II
- Released
- 2026
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Cold Symmetry
- Genre(s)
- Soulslike, Action RPG, Fantasy
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
The sequel to Mortal Shell promises to expand on the original’s tactical, deliberate combat and haunting world design that leans heavily into mysticism and darkness. Players will once again inhabit shells, each granting distinct abilities, while exploring intricately crafted areas filled with secrets and danger.
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By building on a proven and effective foundation, Mortal Shell 2 has the potential to capture both returning fans and newcomers. Its attention to atmosphere and the emphasis on a layered narrative ensure it can continue the lineage of difficult yet rewarding gameplay that the genre is most known for.
The Relic: First Guardian
The Fate Of The World In Your Hands
- Release Date: 2025
- Developer: Project Cloud Games
The Relic: First Guardian immerses players in a sprawling dark fantasy world full of colossal foes, hidden paths, and ominous ruins. Its combat emphasizes weighty weaponry and tactical timing, hallmarks of the Soulslike genre, but combined with a more cinematic feel to make each fight feel like a scene from a movie.
The game’s emphasis is less on leveling up a single character and more on growing one's potential within the world. Players slowly progress through dungeons and bosses, as they increase in power in a more personal way that feels closer to the fantasy of becoming a true warrior than ever before.
PRISON OF HUSKS
Returning To A Simpler Time
- Release Date: To be announced
- Developer: Glass Head Dolls
PRISON OF HUSKS delivers an oppressive, gothic experience where players navigate labyrinthine corridors filled with monstrous enemies. The game is a real nostalgia trip, taking players back to a time when graphics were more charming but the action was equally intense.
In a lot of ways, it feels like a Dark Souls demastered, blending old-school graphics with the same Soulslike energy that made the genre so fascinating. If things go well, PRISON OF HUSKS could potentially usher in a new era of lower-resolution games that focus more on simplicity than flashiness.
V.A Proxy
Entering A Whole New Realm
- Release Date: Coming Soon
- Developer: PyroLith
V.A Proxy is one of the most interesting upcoming soulslikes out there. While it might be quite far from the dark fantasy aesthetics that players have come to expect from the genre, it does have the same unsettling yet alluring feeling that the Souls series perfected.
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From indies to triple-A sequels, Gamescom 2025 featured a lot of Soulslikes that were announced for the first time during its live events.
There are towering structures far in the distance, and players are given little to no direction or guidance on where to go. Even with just the few short trailers and the demo, it is already clear that the game has a lot to offer, and only time will tell if it has the same staying power as the series that it pays great homage to.
Lords of the Fallen 2
Building On A Successful Revival
Lords of the Fallen II
- Released
- 2026
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- CI Games
- Genre(s)
- Soulslike, Action RPG, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Lords of the Fallen 2 looks to continue the revival of one of the biggest names in the Soulslike genre, bringing all the same gore and grime as the original, but upping the stakes to new heights. The original was intended as a real contender for the next big RPG, and now, over a decade later, this next iteration has the potential to finally realize that vision.
What makes the game interesting is the ability to move between worlds, both living and dead, with more freedom than ever. This extra level of liberty means that every area becomes even more expansive than it already is, with new shortcuts and pathways hiding around every corner for players to encounter as they switch between dimensions on the fly.
The Age Of Bhaarat
Taking The Genre To Uncharted Waters
The Age of Bhaarat
- Developer(s)
- Tara Gaming Limited
WHERE TO PLAY
The Age of Bhaarat is looking to bring ancient India to life, infusing it with magic, mysticism, and all the Soulslike goodness that players simply die for. The reason it could be the next big game in the space is down to the uniqueness of the IP. No one has published a big-budget Soulslike in this setting before, so it is an exciting step in a completely new direction.
The action looks stylish, the bosses look deadly, and the environments are beyond beautiful, effortlessly transporting players to a fictional world that demands to be explored. With such a rich cultural background, Bharaat could potentially go down a similar path to Black Myth: Wukong, and end up as one of the most widely loved single-player games in the last decade.
La Divina Commedia
Inspired By A Tale From Hell Itself
La Divina Commedia
- Developer(s)
- Jyamma Games
WHERE TO PLAY
Coming from a developer that has already dipped its toes in the Soulslike waters, La Divina Commedia reinterprets Dante’s epic poem as a dark action RPG, sending players on a journey through infernal landscapes, confronting demonic adversaries and morally ambiguous scenarios while navigating treacherous terrain.
The game’s literary inspiration provides a unique narrative depth, while its challenging combat and foreboding world design echo the Dark Souls formula that has become a staple in gaming for many years. By blending classical storytelling with punishing gameplay, it offers a fresh, ambitious take on the Soulslike genre, and one that fans should keep their eyes on.
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