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The 10 Greatest Soulslike Fantasy Games of All Time, Ranked
A Soulslike video game is a specific subgenre of role-playing games with several defining characteristics. These games are often difficult by design, with death being a regular part of gameplay, and feature heavy amounts of environmental storytelling, open-level design, and regular checkpoints, usually in the form of things like bonfires or lampposts. The games also make you lose your currency when you die and require you to run back to your corpse to retrieve it—if you die again on the way there, your currency is gone forever.
The term “Soulslike” comes from the Dark Souls series of video games, as well as spiritual successors like Bloodborne, Elden Ring, and Sekiro, all of which were made by FromSoftware. Being RPGs, they often lean heavily into the fantasy genre, with many of them being just as good as the originals that inspired them. These are the best fantasy-themed Soulslike RPGs. Note that for this list, only non-FromSoftware games will be included—it’s about Soulslike games, not Soulsborne games, after all.
10
‘Ashen’ (2018)
Ashen is a Soulslike with a really interesting aesthetic. It almost looks like a kids’ game or like some sort of painting, moving away from the realistic visuals the genre normally favors. Able to be played solo or in co-op, Ashen follows a nameless wandered travelling across a forgotten land, in search of their identity and a proper, permanent home. Like many other Soulslike games, though, this world is not a pleasant place to be, so this is no easy feat.
The game initially got mixed reviews at first, but after it was patched and updated, reviews became more positive. Much of the game is about open-world exploration, encouraging co-op gameplay to get past difficult obstacles, though it’s not a strict requirement. Rather than improving stats, players must improve their gear quality, as unlike other Soulslike games, the gear is more important than stats. It might not be a perfect game, but it’s a solid effort that’s actually pretty fun.
9
‘Wuchang: Fallen Feathers’ (2025)
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers has players take up the mantle of the pirate Bai Wuchang. The game is set in the Shu region during the Ming Dynasty of Imperial China. A terrible disease known as the Feathering is rapidly spreading across the Great Ming, which only adds to the dumpster fire that the empire has become due to warring political factions. In the middle of it all, Bai Wuchang seeks a mythical artifact to resurrect her sister from the dead.
This game certainly has its flaws in the Soulslike department, which are pretty glaring and noticeable. However, the good far outweighs the bad, which means it’s still an overall enjoyable experience. Many Soulslike fans find this game to be substantially easier than other entries in the genre, though it is still difficult. As such, it’s a great entry point into the subgenre, introducing the core mechanics that are to be expected.
8
‘Thymesia’ (2022)
In Thymesia, players control Corvus, a faceless hero clad in a Medieval plague doctor outfit. The story is set in the realm of Hermes, which tried to use alchemy to contain a rapidly expanding plague, an approach that proved to be more harm than good, as it ended up mutating Hermes’ denizens into horrific monsters. In the middle of it all, Corvus struggles to regain his memory and the secrets of his fallen kingdom.
Unlike most other Soulslike games, Thymesia has no stamina bar. Certain attacks and abilities have a cooldown metre, but players can chain basic attacks together at their leisure. However, combat isn’t so straightforward. Enemy health bars are inspired by the practice of bloodletting, meaning they regain their health after you attack unless you use your claw, which can only be used after the health bar has been whittled down a bit. The combat system is complicated and annoying at first, but you’ll eventually get the hang of it. In any event, Thymesia is a truly singular game in the Soulslike subgenre in a bleak and depressing world that Soulsborne fans should really try out.
7
‘Bleak Faith: Forsaken’ (2023)
Bleak Faith: Forsaken is a really underrated Soulslike that doesn’t ever get the attention it rightfully deserves. This is sort of a science fantasy, set in a post-apocalyptic world completely dominated by the Omnistructure, a sprawling, complex megastructure that covers most, if not all, of the known world. The Omnistructure itself appears to have a mind of its own, as it is constantly changing and expanding further and further.
Admittedly, this game doesn’t really add any new mechanics or have any unique quirks about it, but it’s still a must-play for Soulslike fans. Moreover, the worldbuilding is top-tier, taking place in a looming and surprisingly terrifying complex that has fallen into ruin. Unravelling the history allows the player to piece together the lore of this ruined world while leaving the purpose of the Omnistructure mostly a mystery. In terms of sheer atmosphere, there’s nothing else like Bleak Faith: Forsaken.
6
‘The First Berserker: Khazan’ (2025)
The First Berserker: Khazan is set in the same universe as the popular Dungeon & Fighter video games, all of which are set in a fantastical world inspired by Medieval Europe. In this game, you play as General Khazan, a disgraced military leader freed from captivity by supernatural forces. From there, he embarks on a quest to clear his name and prevent the spiritual imbalance jeopardizing the fate of the world.
This game has cel-shaded, manga-esque graphics, which fans of the original DNF series will be sure to love. Combat is very similar to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, which is to say, it is based on a high level of aggression, blocking, and parrying rather than traditional dodging; yes, that also means it’s unforgivingly difficult. It might be a hard game, but it’s got some great reviews and is increasingly becoming a popular choice for Soulslike fans.
5
‘Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty’ (2023)
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a low fantasy game set in Imperial China. More specifically, it is set during the fall of the Han Dynasty, at the end of the 2nd Century. During the Yellow Turban Rebellion, an unnamed protagonist rises to fight against three brothers who orchestrate the rebellion and plan to overthrow the Han Empire. Despite its similar name, this game has no connection to Wuchang: Fallen Feathers.
Players can choose between five divine spirits to give them an edge in combat, providing different elemental abilities. However, don’t expect them to make the game easy, as it is just as difficult, if not harder, than the Soulsborne series. The very first boss is widely considered one of the toughest, since he serves as a skill check that forces you to adapt to the game’s unorthodox combat system. It’s a great historical fantasy game set during an overlooked yet rich period in time, and definitely needs more love.
4
‘Mortal Shell’ (2020)
Mortal Shell is a game that’s been making headlines recently, mostly due to its brand new sequel, which came out last August. The sequel was a distinct improvement over its predecessor, but the original still has its own charm. When it comes to Soulslike RPGs, you typically create a character, choose a class, and build and tailor your hero to fit a specific playstyle. Mortal Shell does not let you do that.
You start as a faceless, featureless husk of a human being, and must progress through the world by jumping into hollow shells; remnants of warriors long dead. These shells come with weapons, armor, and faces, giving you a proper character. Be warned, though: they are not permanent. They come in various classes, meaning one shell will have you playing as a tank, while another will be based on agility and speed. It’s a game that forces you to adapt and think on your feet in its bleak and unforgiving world, which is why it’s so brilliant.
3
‘Lords of the Fallen’ (2023)
Lords of the Fallen is a stand-alone sequel to the 2014 Soulslike of the same name. The original was pretty average, but this sequel is an improvement in every possible way. The story is about humanity’s struggle against the infernal god Adyr, the Bereft Exile. Adyr’s defeat is orchestrated by a rising order called the Hallowed Sentinels, though they are powerless to prevent his imminent resurrection. As a desperate last-ditch effort, a crusader lobs his magic lantern into a pit of bodies, bringing one back from the dead, which is where the player comes in.
The levels are much more open and really intelligently designed, with the various areas interconnecting and overlapping in original Dark Souls fashion. The game also added a mechanic in the form of the aforementioned magical lamp that allows players to switch between the overworld, Axiom, and the parallel dimension known as the Umbral, finding hidden secrets, accessing new areas, and progressing further into the game. It’s a really fun game with some killer boss fights and infinite replayability due to all the hidden secrets.
2
‘Nioh’ (2017)
Nioh is the first in a trilogy of games created by the same developers behind Wo Long. As such, it is another historical fantasy, set in the real world. Rather than being about ancient Chinese history, this game focuses on Japan in the Edo Period. You play as real-life explorer William Adams, the first Englishman to set foot in Japan, albeit a highly fictionalized version of him.
Nioh sees players travelling across Japan, which is plagued with demons known as oni, who are being released into the world. These oni come straight from Japanese folklore, and even possess some real historical figures. The game is very different to Soulsborne games: the combat is punishing and more about blocking and parrying than dodging, forcing you to change stances and adapt to enemy types. While this game isn’t open world, opting for a traditional mission-based format instead, it’s a popular pick for Soulslike fans due to its sheer difficulty and differing gameplay.
1
‘Lies of P’ (2023)
Lies of P is based on Carlo Collodi‘s novel The Adventures of Pinocchio, which was also adapted into a famous Disney animated musical in 1940. The game is set in the city of Krat, which resembles Belle Époque Paris. Automatons called puppets previously served as laborers and servants to humanity before abruptly slaughtering their masters en masse in an apocalyptic event known as the Puppet Frenzy. To make matters worse, a devastating pandemic begins sweeping through the city, turning the infected into horrific abominations.
In the midst of the chaos, a nearly perfect, human-looking puppet named P (short for Pinocchio) is awoken by the Blue Fairy, Sofia, who asks him to rescue his maker, Geppetto, and save Krat. This game brings a ton of cool mechanics to the formula, including custom weapons and prosthetic arms with different abilities. The worldbuilding is incredible, and it’s easily one of the most creative adaptations of a book ever made, which is why it earns the spot as being the best Soulslike RPG in the fantasy genre.
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