Entertainment
10 Greatest Soulslike Video Games of All Time
Out of all the mediums in the world, video games are the most popular, delivering immersive gaming experiences where players can explore worlds and live as fantastical characters. Prominent examples include The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Red Dead Redemption 2. However, one that has stood out in recent years is the soulslike genre, which is known for its challenging gameplay.
Defined by dodging mechanics, recharging stamina, dark worlds, unforgiving combat, and plenty of other aspects, soulslike games are all the rage nowadays, which is why this list will rank the ten greatest soulslike video games of all time. Based on aspects such as authenticity to the genre, design, polish, gameplay, narrative, visuals, originality, critical acclaim, fan opinion, and overall quality, these are the ten must-play soulslikes.
10
‘The First Berserker: Khazan’ (2025)
Set within the Dungeon & Fighter universe, an online multiplayer side-scrolling beat ’em up, The First Berserker: Khazan has players controlling the titular general from the Pell Los Empire. When falsely accused of treason, Khazan is exiled, but he overcomes death and makes it his life mission to find out who framed him.
As the newest game on this list, The First Berserker: Khazan made quick time of establishing itself as a modern classic. It is rather underrated when compared to the rest of the games on this list, but its ultra-aggressive style of combat is extremely fluid and satisfying. The unrelenting gameplay is perfect for the soulslike genre and players looking for a fast-paced experience.
9
‘Hollow Knight’ (2017)
Since soulslike games are so popular, it is mostly only AAA studios making them, but Hollow Knight is an indie that fits under that category. Playing as a nail-wielding bug, gamers descend into the land of Hallownest, which has been destroyed by a mysterious ancient plague. Now, the audience must fight throughout the world to stop the plague and learn about the protagonist’s origins.
Hollow Knight isn’t the most soulslike game, but it features enough elements to classify itself as one and earn a spot on this list. The melancholic world design, dark tone, environmental storytelling, and death penalty are often tied to soulslike games. Hollow Knight is an indie masterpiece that delivers a masterful metroidvania and soulslike hybrid experience.
8
‘Dark Souls’ (2011)
Many games have inspired the soulslike genre, but this list wouldn’t be complete without the one that influenced it the most: Dark Souls. Set in a grim and dark world, players are the Chosen Undead and must travel through the world to ring the Bells of Awakening, thus determining the fate of humanity.
With the genre being named after Dark Souls, this game is the most influential on it, establishing the general formula that has been popularized in future titles. While later games improved upon its blueprint, the legacy and importance of Dark Souls can’t be understated. It is the most quintessential soulslike game that embodies everything the genre is about, mainly because it kickstarted the genre.
7
‘Star Wars Jedi: Survivor’ (2023)
Star Wars houses some of the best video games of all time, and one of their recent ones is among their best, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Years after the first game, Cal Kestis (Cameron Monaghan) fights a futile battle against the Empire. But after discovering a remote planet, he hopes to make it a safe haven for Force users and those affected by the tyrannical grip of the Empire.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is different than most soulslikes, but that makes it a perfect starting point for players wanting to dip their toes into the genre. Besides being a good soulslike starter, this game is packed with references and easter eggs that build on the Star Wars lore. With varied combat, parkour sections, tough bosses, a cinematic journey, and a massive open-world to explore, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a crowd-pleasing masterpiece and one of the best Star Wars video games.
6
‘Bloodborne’ (2015)
FromSoftware already has one game on this list, and it has plenty more, such as the fan-favorite Bloodborne. Yharnam is a decrepit city full of beasts and monsters, but it is also home to a miraculous cure. The players travel to the city looking for it, but get trapped in a cycle involving cosmic horrors, Lovecraftian gods, and a virus that turns humans into nightmarish creatures.
Fans are still waiting for a sequel or PC port, but as they endlessly wait for that, they can at least find solace in the fact that Bloodborne is a cult classic soulslike experience. It redefined the usual soulslike combat from highly defensive to aggressive, with the mechanics encouraging players to take risks to gain health. Bloodborne is a fresh take on an established genre that sets itself apart from the rest.
5
‘Elden Ring’ (2022)
Half of this list consists of FromSoftware games, which makes sense since they invented the genre, including their magnum opus, Elden Ring. After the titular object is shattered, the children of Queen Marika claim these shards for themselves. Playing as the Tarnished, gamers travel throughout the Lands Between to defeat the demi-gods, take the pieces, and restore the ring to become the Elden Lord.
Elden Ring is arguably the best game on this list, but it is more of a 3D open-world fantasy adventure than a soulslike. Still, it combines the two genres to create something new, which just means it will be lower on this specific list. It encourages exploration and curiosity, which often leads to intriguing lore or challenging boss fights. Either way, the narrative design, combat, worldbuilding, and remarkable experience of Elden Ring build what many consider to be the best video game of all time.
4
‘Nioh 2’ (2020)
Nioh 3 just came out in 2026 and is already a fantastic game of the year candidate, but Nioh 2 is still the peak of the franchise. This prequel has players controlling a half-human, half-yokai mercenary in ancient Japan. As they spend time hunting demons and monsters, players eventually get intertwined with the unifiers of the country.
The beauty of Nioh 2 lies in its gameplay and combat depth, which offers three combat stances, a Ki system, and a special attack ability. These combine to give the player vast control over the gameplay, with so many potential combos and attacks. The loot system isn’t typical of a soulslike, but everything else makes it a must-play game of the genre that dares to be fresh and bold.
3
‘Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice’ (2019)
The next, but not last, FromSoftware game on this list is one of their best in terms of pure action, and that is arguably Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Set in a fictionalized version of the Sengoku-era, players are a disgraced samurai who hunts down the clan members who kidnapped his lord.
Elden Ring is the better game, but in terms of being true to the soulslike genre, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice easily has it beat. RPG leveling mechanics only get in the way of pure unfiltered gameplay, or at least that is what Sekiro thought, and the game was better for it. The posture and parry system is demanding, and winning is earned through mastering techniques. The rhythmic gameplay is incredibly tight, and with the choreography of the enemies, it is no wonder that this is one of FromSoftware’s best games.
2
‘Lies of P’ (2023)
FromSoftware has dominated the top ten soulslike games, but a nice change of pace comes in the form of one of the most underrated modern games, Lies of P. This dark retelling of Pinocchio has players waking up in a ruined city, needing to find their creator in a sea of rogue puppets, but be wary, because every lie alters his humanity.
The best part about Lies of P is that it bridges the best parts of multiple soulslike games into one, including the deflections of Sekiro and the dodging of Bloodborne. This coalescing of mechanics creates a remarkably fluid gameplay style that is all about customization. Lies of P isn’t the first soulslike fans think about, but it is evidently one of the greatest of all time.
1
‘Dark Souls 3’ (2016)
As mentioned, FromSoftware has absolutely taken over this list, which makes sense since they founded the soulslike genre. However, the last and best on this list is Dark Souls 3. The First Flame is fading in the kingdom of Lothric, and its only savior is the Unkindled Champion, who must hunt down the Lords of Cinder and return them to their thrones.
It may not be the most influential video game like the first in its franchise, but Dark Souls 3 is the best out of a great bunch, mainly because of its story, which revitalized soulslike game design and updated gameplay, delivering an overall smoother experience. Known for its challenging yet rewarding combat, Dark Souls 3 is the must-play game in a staple dark fantasy franchise that mastered the soulslike formula.
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