Top 5 Souls-Like Games: Dark Fantasy Challenges

 

Top 5 Souls-Like Games

The Souls series by FromSoftware has left a big mark on gaming. It has created a subgenre known as the Soulslike. Since February 2021, at least three new Soulslikes have been released¹. These games are known for their tough combat, immersive worlds, and rewarding gameplay. But what makes the top 5 Souls-like games stand out?

Key Takeaways

• Soulslikes have carved out their own unique identities within the genre, building upon the core elements of FromSoftware's design philosophy.
• These games challenge players with punishing combat, steep learning curves, and minimal handholding, delivering an immersive, skill-based experience.
• Soulslikes seamlessly blend elements like stamina management, intense boss battles, and environmental storytelling to create atmospheric, interconnected worlds.
• The top 5 Souls-like games offer a diverse range of settings, from dark fantasy realms to post-apocalyptic landscapes, each with their own distinct identity.
• These titles push the boundaries of the genre, introducing innovative mechanics and blending Souls-inspired gameplay with other genres, such as Metroidvania and looter-shooter.

Lies Of P

Lies of P² looks and feels like a FromSoftware game at first glance. It has the dark fantasy action vibe of the Soulslike games. But, Lies of P is special with its creepy world and scary puppets³.

About the game

The fight in Lies of P reminds us of Bloodborne, but it's not the same. Dodging and parrying are different, making the game fresh². Players will face tough boss battles that challenge their skills and quick thinking². The game's world and story are deep, offering a great experience for gamers who love a challenge².

Lies of P brings a new twist to the Soulslike games with its FromSoftware-inspired combat. It has innovative design, precise fighting, and a way to grow your character. This makes it a top choice for fans of dark fantasy and Bloodborne-style games²³.

 

"Lies of P is a dark fantasy action game that truly captures the essence of a Soulslike experience, while also carving out its own distinct identity."

²⁴³

Nioh 2

Nioh 2 is a top RPG in the Souls-like genre, offering a thrilling and tough experience⁵. It takes inspiration from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, with a fast-paced combat system that requires skill and strategy⁶.

The game is set in a world that mixes Japanese folklore with gritty realism. Players find themselves in a dark, atmospheric world filled with dangerous yokai and tough human enemies⁵. The game focuses on exploration, encouraging players to explore and find new challenges and rewards⁶.

About the Game

Nioh 2 is an action-combat game that highlights the need for defensive skills like blocking and parrying⁶. The combat system is all about managing your "ki" (stamina) for powerful combos and parrying enemy attacks. You'll need to switch between different stances and weapons to succeed⁶.

What makes Nioh 2 stand out is its "dark realm" areas, where ki regeneration is slow, making the game even harder⁶. Enemies have ki bars you can drain, giving you an edge with grappling and plunge attacks⁶.

Nioh 2 is known for its complex combat and stunning visuals⁵. It's a must-play for those who love a challenge. It offers a unique experience that makes it different from other Souls-like games⁷.

"Nioh 2 is a challenging 'masocore' experience that requires a new level of discipline and strategic thinking beyond traditional Souls games."

Game	Ranking
Nioh 2	6th best soulslike game in 20237
Code Vein	7th best soulslike game in 20237
Lords of the Fallen	3rd best soulslike game7
Elden Ring	2nd best 'soulsborne' game7

⁵⁶⁷

Hollow Knight

In the Hollow Knight, players dive into a connected world design that mixes storytelling with lore. This 2D Metroidvania game is different from others. It combines tough combat with deep exploration. Players need to be very skilled to find out what's hidden.

Team Cherry made Hollow Knight. It takes you to Hallownest, an underground kingdom hit by a strange infection. You play as the silent Knight, exploring to find out what happened and stop the infection⁸.

The game's environmental storytelling is amazing. It uses subtle hints and lore to tell its story. The beautiful art and music make the game a must-play⁹.

In Hollow Knight, you move through a Metroidvania world. You get new abilities to go back and explore more. The fight scenes are tough but fun, needing you to use all the Knight's moves and tools to beat enemies and bosses⁹.

Hollow Knight is special because of its focus on exploration. Hallownest is a big, connected world that invites you to explore and find secrets. This makes the game exciting and rewarding⁹.

Hollow Knight is a standout in the Soulslike games. It mixes tough fights with a rich, connected world and deep storytelling. If you like deep lore and dark fantasy, this game is a must-play. It requires skill to fully enjoy⁸⁹.

Blasphemous

In the world of tough Soulslike games, Blasphemous shines as a dark fantasy action-adventure. It combines tough combat, complex level design, and a rich, detailed setting¹⁰. Unlike many Soulslikes, it focuses on a single weapon, the Mea Culpa longsword¹⁰. This choice makes the game more intense and requires players to learn how to fight well¹⁰.

The game's levels are connected, pushing players to explore and keep trying in the dark world of Cvstodia¹¹. It's tough but fair, making players use their stamina wisely and learn how to beat the big bosses¹⁰. This focus on skill and perseverance is what makes Soulslikes special, and Blasphemous does it well with its gothic feel and deep story¹¹.

Known for its "2D pixel art style rich in religious symbols and exciting combat,"¹² Blasphemous pulls you into a dark fantasy world inspired by Souls and Bloodborne¹². Its intense fights, connected world, and tough gameplay make it a top Soulslike game¹¹.

Blasphemous shows how the Soulslike genre is evolving, offering a unique experience that challenges your skills and love for dark fantasy¹¹. It's great for both Souls fans and newcomers, promising a memorable and rewarding journey¹².

REMNANT II®

Remnant II combines Soulslike mechanics with third-person shooter gameplay for a unique challenge¹³. The game takes place 10 years after the first Remnant, in 5 realms each with its own decay¹³. It's made by Gunfire Games and published by Gearbox Publishing. You can play it on July 25th, 2023, on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Early access is on July 21st for those who buy the Ultimate Edition¹⁴.

Remnant II is known for its punishing combat systems and metroidvania-style exploration¹⁵. Players can choose from many weapons, including a main weapon, a handgun, and a melee weapon¹⁴. There's also armor with special abilities and close and ranged weapons with mods that recharge by defeating enemies¹⁵.

The game's levels are randomly generated, making each play unique¹⁴. Players start in a random world, learn about it, and progress through it¹⁴. This design makes the game replayable and rewards exploration, with hidden paths and unique items to find¹⁴.

The boss fights are varied and challenging, needing different strategies to win¹⁴. The main campaign takes about 12 hours to finish¹³. But the game's focus on atmospheric storytelling and lore-rich exploration makes it engaging and immersive¹⁴.

Some players have faced performance issues on certain devices¹³. Yet, the game's sound design is highly praised for enhancing the gameplay¹³. Its detailed environments, hardcore combat systems, and rewarding progression make it a top choice for Soulslike fans¹³.

 

"Remnant II is a natural evolution of the original game, delivering a captivating blend of dark fantasy action and punishing combat that will challenge and reward players in equal measure."

Remnant II is a standout for Soulslike fans, offering metroidvania-style exploration, lore-rich storytelling, and hardcore combat systems¹⁵¹³¹⁴. As the sequel to Remnant: From the Ashes, it builds on its success, refining and expanding the experience for dark souls-inspired action game lovers¹⁵¹³¹⁴.

Conclusion

The Souls-like genre keeps growing, with more games offering unique challenges and deep stories¹⁶. Games like Lies of P and Nioh 2 show the genre's depth and variety¹⁶¹⁷.

These games are not as hard as FromSoftware's, but they still offer a great experience for action RPG fans¹⁶¹⁷. As the Souls-like genre grows, we can expect more new and exciting games¹⁸.

The term Honing Games helps us better understand these challenging RPGs¹⁸. This new term shows how the Souls-like genre is evolving, giving players more exciting games to try.

FAQ

What are the key elements that define a soulslike game?

Soulslike games are known for their tough challenges after death. They use a special currency from defeating enemies to help characters grow. Players must fight carefully, managing their stamina, and restart from certain points in the game.

Why is Lies of P considered one of the best non-FromSoftware soulslikes?

Lies of P stands out with its eerie and creepy world. Enemies turn into scary puppets, making the game thrilling. The combat is inspired by Bloodborne but feels new with its own mechanics. Boss fights are tough but rewarding.

How does Nioh 2 stand out in the soulslike genre?

Nioh 2 shines with its fast, intense combat. It uses a parry system and is set in a mix of history and fantasy. The game challenges even the most skilled players with tough boss battles.

How is Hollow Knight different from other soulslikes?

Hollow Knight takes cues from Dark Souls but stands out with its 2D Metroidvania gameplay. It offers a mix of tough combat, exploration, and a deep world. This makes it unique in the Soulslike genre.

What makes Blasphemous stand out as a soulslike game?

Blasphemous combines tough combat, detailed levels, and a rich dark fantasy world. It tests players with its precise combat and stamina management. The game encourages exploration and has a gothic feel inspired by Souls and Bloodborne.

How does Remnant II differentiate itself in the soulslike genre?

Remnant II mixes Soulslike elements with third-person shooter gameplay. It offers various weapons, random worlds, and multiplayer for a better experience. Building on Remnant: From the Ashes, it keeps the tough combat and rich story of Soulslikes.

Source Links

1. The 10 Best Soulslike Games - IGN - https://www.ign.com/articles/the-best-soulslike-games
2. 28 Soulslikes That Are Easier Than Dark Souls - https://gamerant.com/dark-souls-similar-games-easy/
3. 8 Games To Play If You Like Lies Of P - https://www.thegamer.com/lies-of-p-similar-games/
4. Best Soulslike Games On PS5, Ranked - https://www.thegamer.com/best-soulslike-games-ps5-soulsborne/
5. How do you rank all the souls-like games? - https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/241160-nioh-2/78511503
6. Why Nioh 2 Still Stands Out In The Soulslike Space - https://www.gamespot.com/articles/why-nioh-2-still-stands-out-in-the-soulslike-space/1100-6508298/
7. Best soulslike games - get good with these challenging gems - https://www.techradar.com/gaming/best-soulslike-games
8. 13 Best Soulslike Games On Steam - https://www.thegamer.com/best-steam-soulslike-games/
9. Best Soulslikes For Beginners - https://hardcoregamer.com/best-soulslikes-beginners/
10. The 7 Best Soulslike Games That Only Give Players One Weapon - https://gamerant.com/best-soulslike-games-only-give-players-one-weapon/
11. 13 Best 2D Soulslike Games - https://www.thegamer.com/best-2d-soulslike-games/
12. The 10 best games like Dark Souls - https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-best-soulslike-games
13. Remnant II Review – Bringing A Shotgun To A Soulslike | Player2.net.au - https://www.player2.net.au/2023/08/remnant-ii-review-bringing-a-shotgun-to-a-soulslike/
14. Review: Remnant II - https://gamerescape.com/2023/07/20/review-remnant-ii/
15. Reddit - Dive into anything - https://www.reddit.com/r/patientgamers/comments/y3prhi/soulslike_games_ranked_2_remnant_from_the_ashes/
16. The 10 Hardest Soulslike Games On The PS5 - https://gamerant.com/hardest-soulslike-games-on-ps5/
17. 10 Most Unique Souls-Like Games That Defy Genre - https://screenrant.com/unique-genre-defying-games-like-similar-dark-souls/
18. Don’t Call It a Souls-Like! These Are Honing Games! Essay - https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/don’t-call-it-a-souls-like-these-are-honing-games.93007/