6 Games to Play Like Elden Ring That Aren’t by FromSoftware

The idea of what defines a “Souls-like” game has evolved significantly since its beginnings. It all started with the challenging combat and difficult gameplay of *Dark Souls*, which inspired developers everywhere to create their own versions. Now, the genre is known for the excitement of overcoming tough bosses, the reward of finding hidden items and stories, and the constant struggle to survive. *Elden Ring* took things even further, blending vast open-world exploration, deep storytelling, and intense battles into a truly remarkable game.

Even after completing Elden Ring, many players still crave that same feeling of overcoming difficult challenges and earning satisfying rewards. Luckily, other games offer a similar experience, blending tension and accomplishment with their own unique features. Some focus on storytelling and characters, while others emphasize complex gameplay or survival elements. But they all share that addictive cycle of risk and reward that keeps players hooked. If you’re a fan of challenging action games, these alternatives are definitely worth checking out.

6. Code Vein

Code Vein puts a unique spin on the challenging Souls-like genre with its anime style and dark, post-apocalyptic world of crumbling cities and vampires. You play as a Revenant, a being who needs blood to live, and must battle powerful enemies and dangerous environments. The combat is quick but requires careful timing and managing your stamina, just like in other Souls games. A special system called “Blood Code” lets you easily switch between different classes and abilities, so you can experiment with different playstyles without needing to restart your character. Similar to Elden Ring, Code Vein emphasizes patience and learning enemy attacks, rewarding skillful defense and timing. Every battle is a thrilling challenge, and overcoming obstacles feels incredibly rewarding.

Okay, so Code Vein isn’t just about tough fights – it really shines when it comes to its story and the characters you meet. You team up with AI companions who aren’t just there to help in battle, but are actually woven into the game’s lore. Each one has their own skills and personality, which makes combat more interesting and adds a lot of emotional impact. Honestly, the story feels more front and center than in something like Elden Ring, with tons of cutscenes and character development that really pulls you in. If you want a serious challenge, you *can* play solo, so don’t worry about being forced to use partners. Visually, it’s really striking – super vibrant and cinematic, but still keeps that dark, gritty feel that Souls fans love. All that combined – the style, the story, the difficulty – makes it a really great Souls-like, and one I’d definitely recommend checking out, even if you’re not a huge FromSoftware fan.

5. Lies of P

Lies of P reimagines the story of Pinocchio as a dark and atmospheric adventure set in the decaying city of Krat. You’ll explore a haunting world filled with dangerous, mechanical enemies. The game offers a wide range of weapons that you can customize to suit how you like to play, and success relies on skillful combat – precise timing, blocking, and managing your stamina. Similar to Elden Ring, exploring the world and mastering the gameplay are key, but Lies of P places a greater emphasis on story and the impact of your choices through its innovative “Lie System.” Expect challenging and unique boss battles that require you to learn enemy patterns and adapt your strategy to win.

What truly makes this game stand out is its unique atmosphere, which blends a sense of hopelessness with the magic of a dark fairy tale. Your decisions – both in conversations and through your actions – directly impact the story and determine your character’s destiny, even influencing which bosses you’ll encounter. Though not as expansive as *Elden Ring*, the game boasts incredibly detailed environments and a captivating art style, creating a dense and immersive world similar to other FromSoftware ‘Souls-like’ titles. The combat is challenging but rewarding, and overcoming obstacles feels genuinely satisfying. *Lies of P* provides the intense gameplay that Souls fans enjoy, all wrapped up in a visually impressive and story-focused experience that’s more streamlined than its open-world counterparts.

4. No Rest for the Wicked

No Rest for the Wicked is a fresh take on the challenging Souls-like genre. It combines a bird’s-eye view with survival elements and the tough, strategic combat players expect. While not overly punishing, you’ll need to craft your own healing items to stay alive, as the game doesn’t offer quick-use flasks. This adds a new layer of resource management to the already demanding gameplay. To succeed, you’ll need to actively use the survival mechanics. Like Elden Ring, exploring the world is worthwhile, but the game’s smaller scale emphasizes careful planning over simply running around. Dangerous environments and hidden secrets make every move feel risky.

What really makes this game stand out is its blend of survival mechanics with a bird’s-eye view. Unlike many similar games, you’ll need to carefully manage your stamina, health, and items, adding a strategic depth. It throws resource scarcity and challenging enemies at you, combining the RPG progression of games like Diablo and Souls-likes with the constant tension of a survival game. Even though it’s still in development, it’s already a tough but rewarding experience that emphasizes both skillful combat and long-term planning. The beautiful, painted art style and immersive atmosphere create a sense that every decision is important. It’s a unique and refreshing game that encourages players to be patient and think things through.

3. The Surge 2

In *The Surge 2*, you’ll experience challenging, methodical combat similar to the *Souls* series, but set in a dark, futuristic world overrun by rogue robots and cyborgs. You play as a character in an exosuit, and a key part of the gameplay involves targeting and severing enemy limbs to collect new gear. Battles require careful observation, precise timing, and learning enemy weaknesses – much like *Elden Ring*. However, *The Surge 2* adds a unique layer of strategy through its focus on upgrading your character with mechanical enhancements. The game’s complex city environment encourages exploration, with hidden areas and rewarding opportunities to experiment with different equipment builds.

Unlike *Elden Ring*’s sprawling world, *The Surge 2* features more compact, interconnected areas reminiscent of *Dark Souls 3*. The game creates a tense, claustrophobic mood with its industrial setting, making even minor fights feel risky. While boss battles are generally manageable, the real challenge comes from navigating the levels themselves. This emphasis on regular enemies being the primary threat adds a layer of strategy and importance to every encounter, making *The Surge 2* stand out. If you’re a fan of the Souls series and want a futuristic take on the genre, this game is definitely worth playing.

2. Remnant 2

Remnant 2 stands out from other games in this list by taking the challenging gameplay of the ‘Souls’ series and mixing it with third-person shooting. It features randomly generated worlds and exciting co-op play. You’ll need to be quick and aware, as enemies attack from all sides with different moves, forcing you to change your strategy constantly. The combat is a smooth mix of close-range attacks, shooting, and dodging, and the bosses are especially challenging because guns are a key part of the game – you’ll need to pay attention to your surroundings and react fast to win.

Okay, so what really sets *Remnant 2* apart for me is how it takes the tough-but-fair combat from games like *Dark Souls* – you know, managing your stamina and timing attacks – and throws in totally random worlds. Seriously, every time I go into a new area, it feels fresh because the map, the enemies, and even the loot are different. You can’t just memorize patterns and get away with it! Playing with friends changes everything too. You *have* to work together, especially on the harder difficulties, or you’re going down. And the bosses? Some of the most creative and bizarre I’ve ever seen in a Souls-like game. The weapons and upgrades are insane – I’ve built everything from a close-combat powerhouse to a ranged build that basically summons spider-like creatures to do all the damage! It’s a really strange but awesome twist on the formula, and it feels less about perfect execution and more about adapting and experimenting. It’s a different kind of challenge, and honestly, it’s super rewarding.

1. Nioh 2

Nioh 2 stands out for its incredibly demanding and complex combat, even more so than Elden Ring. Set in Japan’s Sengoku period, the game features quick, flowing sword fighting mixed with powerful, supernatural abilities. Players can choose from many different weapons, each with unique moves and fighting styles that take skill to master. The game also offers a huge amount of freedom in character customization and a rewarding, but extensive, loot system. This combination of features allows for deeper character building and experimentation than most other games.

Nioh 2 stands out for its focused and demanding missions, where player skill is far more important than simply exploring the world. While Elden Ring offers a balance between freedom and difficulty, Nioh 2 throws you into a constant, intense challenge built around complex combat. It represents the height of skillful play in the Souls-like genre, and is ideal for players who want a real test of their abilities.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

2025-10-18 21:11