🗡️ 12+ Games Like Dark Souls You Must Play in 2026

If you are asking what games are similar to Dark Souls, the answer is clear: start with Elden Ring for open-world freedom or Lies of P for a tighter, mechanical combat loop. We’ve spent countless hours dying to bosses, losing our souls, and eventually triumphing to bring you this definitive list of the best alternatives.

You might remember the first time you fell into the Undead Burg pit in Dark Souls. That specific mix of dread, confusion, and the burning desire to “git gud” created a genre that refuses to die. It turns out, millions of players crave that same punishing satisfaction.

According to industry data, the “Soulslike” subgenre has exploded, with sales for titles like Elden Ring surpassing 25 million copies worldwide. It’s no longer just a niche; it’s a pillar of modern gaming.

But with so many clones flooding the market, how do you find the ones that actually respect your time and skill? We’ve tested them all, from the pixel-perfect horrors of Blasphemous 2 to the mythological chaos of Black Myth: Wukong.

Key Takeaways

  • Top Recommendations: Elden Ring offers the most expansive world, while Lies of P provides the most refined combat mechanics for purists.
  • Genre Diversity: The best alternatives range from 2D Metroidvanias like Hollow Knight to action-heavy RPGs like Nioh 2.
  • What to Expect: These games share punishing difficulty, interconnected world design, and cryptic storytelling that rewards exploration.
  • Platform Availability: Most top-tier titles are available on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, with some indie gems hitting Nintendo Switch.

👉 Shop the Best Soulslikes on:

Table of Contents

Quick Tips and Facts

Looking for games similar to Dark Souls? You’ve come to the right place. At Games Like, we specialize in finding games that resemble your favorites. Here are some quick tips and facts to get you started:

  • Check out our list of top games like Dark Souls: We’ve curated a list of the best games that offer a similar experience to Dark Souls, including Elden Ring, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Lies of P.
  • Explore different genres: While Dark Souls is an action RPG, you may find similar experiences in other genres, such as Action games like Nioh 2 or Adventure games like Hollow Knight: Silksong.
  • Look for games with challenging combat and punishing difficulty: If you enjoy the challenging combat and punishing difficulty of Dark Souls, you may want to check out games like Remnant 2 or Black Myth: Wukong.

The Dark Souls Legacy: How a Punishing Game Changed Gaming Forever


Video: Games That Feel Like Dark Souls (that aren’t like Dark Souls).







The Dark Souls series has had a profound impact on the gaming industry, inspiring a new generation of game developers to create challenging, punishing games that reward skill and perseverance. According to Game Informer, the series has sold over 10 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling game series of all time.

  • Influence on game design: The Dark Souls series has influenced game design, with many games incorporating elements of challenging combat, punishing difficulty, and intricate world design. For example, Elden Ring features a vast, interconnected world with challenging combat and punishing difficulty.
  • Community engagement: The Dark Souls series has also inspired a dedicated community of players, with many fans creating their own challenges, mods, and content. For example, the Dark Souls subreddit has over 1 million subscribers, making it one of the largest gaming communities on the platform.

Decoding the Formula: What Actually Makes a “Soulslike” Game?


Video: Top 15 Best Soulslike Games Out Currently You Must Play.








So, what makes a game “Soulslike”? According to IGN, the formula for a Soulslike game includes:

  • Challenging combat: Combat that requires timing, parying, and strategic use of stamina.
  • Punishing difficulty: Punishing consequences for death, such as loss of progress or resources.
  • Intricate world design: Intricate, interconnected levels with hidden secrets and areas.
  • Sense of accomplishment: A sense of accomplishment after overcoming difficult challenges.

The Ultimate List: Top Games Like Dark Souls You Need to Play Next


Video: Dark Souls Fans Are MISSING OUT on These Obscure PS2 Games.








Here are our top picks for games like Dark Souls:

  1. Elden Ring: An action RPG with a vast, interconnected world and challenging combat. 👉 CHECK PRICE on: Amazon | GameStop | FromSoftware Official
  2. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice: An action-adventure game with challenging combat and a unique prosthetic arm mechanic. 👉 CHECK PRICE on: Amazon | GameStop | FromSoftware Official
  3. Lies of P: A dark, steampunk-inspired action RPG with challenging combat and a unique mechanical arm mechanic. 👉 CHECK PRICE on: Amazon | GameStop | Neowiz Official
  4. Black Myth: Wukong: An action RPG with a unique magical toolbox mechanic and challenging combat. 👉 CHECK PRICE on: Amazon | GameStop | Game Science Official
  5. Nioh 2: An action RPG with deep RPG mechanics and challenging combat. 👉 CHECK PRICE on: Amazon | GameStop | Team Ninja Official

Beyond the Boss Rush: Exploring Mechanics, Builds, and Difficulty Curves


Video: Why You Don’t “Get” These Games.







When it comes to games like Dark Souls, the boss rush is only the beginning. Here are some key mechanics, builds, and difficulty curves to explore:

  • Combat mechanics: Combat mechanics, such as parying, dodging, and blocking, are crucial to success in games like Dark Souls.
  • Builds: Builds, such as strength, dexterity, and arcane, can greatly affect gameplay and difficulty.
  • Difficulty curves: Difficulty curves, such as the gradual increase in difficulty as the player progresses through the game, can make or break the experience.

World Design Showdown: From Interconnected Hubs to Open Fields


Video: The Best Souls Games for Beginners.








World design is a crucial aspect of games like Dark Souls. Here are some key world design elements to consider:

  • Interconnected hubs: Interconnected hubs, such as those found in Dark Souls, can create a sense of exploration and discovery.
  • Open fields: Open fields, such as those found in Elden Ring, can create a sense of freedom and expansiveness.
  • Hidden secrets: Hidden secrets, such as those found in Sekiro, can create a sense of accomplishment and reward.

Artistic Styles and Atmosphere: From Gothic Dread to Taopunk Vibes


Video: Ranking Every Souls Game Easiest to Hardest (Including Elden Ring).








Artistic styles and atmosphere can greatly affect the mood and tone of a game. Here are some key artistic styles and atmospheres to consider:

  • Gothic dread: Gothic dread, such as that found in Dark Souls, can create a sense of foreboding and fear.
  • Taopunk vibes: Taopunk vibes, such as those found in Black Myth: Wukong, can create a sense of wonder and excitement.
  • Steampunk inspiration: Steampunk inspiration, such as that found in Lies of P, can create a sense of industrialization and progress.

Multiplayer and Co-op: When to Call for Help (and When Not To)


Video: What 672 hours of Dark Souls 3 looks like.








Multiplayer and co-op can be a great way to enhance the gaming experience. Here are some key considerations:

  • When to call for help: When to call for help, such as when facing a difficult boss or area.
  • When not to call for help: When not to call for help, such as when trying to complete a challenging section solo.
  • Co-op mechanics: Co-op mechanics, such as those found in Remnant 2, can create a sense of teamwork and camaraderie.

Upcoming Releases: The Next Wave of Soulslikes on the Horizon


Video: Ranking Every Souls Game from Worst to Best (Including Elden Ring).








Here are some upcoming releases to keep an eye on:

  • Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree: An upcoming expansion for Elden Ring, featuring new areas, bosses, and gameplay mechanics.
  • Lies of P: Overture: An upcoming expansion for Lies of P, featuring new areas, bosses, and gameplay mechanics.
  • Black Myth: Wukong 2: A sequel to Black Myth: Wukong, featuring new gameplay mechanics and a new story.

Troubleshooting Your Playstyle: Why You Might Hate (or Love) These Games


Video: I played 9 Souls-Like games you’ve never heard of.








Here are some common issues that may arise when playing games like Dark Souls:

  • Frustration: Frustration, such as when facing a difficult boss or area.
  • Burnout: Burnout, such as when playing for extended periods of time.
  • Disappointment: Disappointment, such as when not meeting expectations.

The First Video

silhouette of person holding burning wood at night

For more information on games like Dark Souls, check out our featured video.

Jacob
Jacob

Jacob is a game developer turned editor who leads GamesLike.org with a builder’s eye for systems, balance, and “feel.” He oversees the site’s editorial roadmap and style guide, turning player questions—“What plays like this?”—into clear, cross-platform recommendations. His curation blends hands-on playtesting with design analysis to surface titles that share the same mechanics, themes, and vibes as your favorites. You’ll see that approach across GamesLike.org’s mechanic- and theme-driven lists and platform roundups, as well as family-focused guides that make it easy to choose what to play next.

At GamesLike.org, Jacob pushes for three things: precision (why a game matches), practicality (where to play it), and safety (what families should know). The result is an accessible, no-fluff destination for discovering “games like ___” whether you’re into indie experiments, AAA blockbusters, couch co-op, or kid-friendly adventures.

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