8 Best Souls-Like Games With Co-op

by

As soon as Dark Souls hit the shelves, it spellbound gamers through its demanding battle mechanics and elaborate construction of a grimy, enigmatic universe.

Some played because of the hype and some because it was a personal challenge to beat the game.

A new category of games, resembling the gameplay style of titles like Demon and Dark Souls, has come into being – the “Soulsborne” genre. Regrettably, many games within this genre focus on a solo adventure.

If you’re seeking a thrilling journey where you’ll face tough opposition, we’ve got game recommendations tailored for you. Explore these top Souls-like titles that include cooperative play options.

8. Salt & Sanctuary

2D Souls-like With Brutal Combat

Beyond its two-dimensional design, the game Salt & Sanctuary bears a strong resemblance to Dark Souls, especially in its tough and demanding battle sequences.

Yet, the game manages to establish its unique character and intricate role-playing game dynamics, distinguishing it from being simply labeled as a 2D equivalent of Dark Souls.

This game distinguishes itself with a collection of more than 600 weapons, armor pieces, and spells, offering you the opportunity to extensively tailor your character’s build.

Although it’s two-dimensional, the game offers a non-sequential layout, with various connected regions to discover and enemies to conquer.

The game can be played cooperatively online through Steam Remote Play, which is why it’s not ranked as high as it could be if it offered built-in online cooperation.

7. The Last Oricru

Bizarre, Choice-Driven Souls-like

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but express that The Last Oricru is bound to captivate or frustrate you. Immerse yourself in an intriguing semi-open world, where the combat echoes the Souls series, instilling a sense of challenge and satisfaction. Moreover, it places immense emphasis on decisions you make, ensuring every choice has tangible consequences.

And oh dear, your choices alter the world around you, sometimes in ways you might not expect.

As a gamer, I find myself shaping the world around me with every decision I make. It’s not just about talking to characters or choosing paths, it’s about influencing their behavior, determining available questlines, and even stirring up faction conflicts. And here’s the catch: there’s no manual save system to rewind time or go back to an earlier state. Each move I make is final, which adds a layer of excitement and unpredictability to my gaming experience.

Additionally, the character’s voiceover seems unusual, the user interface is peculiar, and there are no guiding quest markers, making the gameplay mechanics potentially frustrating, much like the challenging combat system.

This also offers a complete cooperative play experience where you and another player can collaborate as you delve into this shared social experiment and unintentional psychological horror journey.

If you want a co-op Souls-like with unintentionally hilarious jank, this game is for you.

6. Hellpoint

Sci-Fi Horror Souls-like

Hellpoint, in essence, is a slightly rough-around-the-edges game, though less so compared to the previous one mentioned. You’ll find yourself exploring a dilapidated space station in this title. Interestingly, the game’s minor awkwardness contributes to its endearing quality.

You have the option to employ multiple types of weapons, some of which are ranged, and engage in authentic combat reminiscent of Souls-like games, featuring evasive maneuvers like dodging, rolling, and blocking.

The level design and atmosphere are amazing, really making you feel lost in space.

In this game I’m playing, it’s the ever-changing black hole system that sets it apart from others. The central station seems to follow some kind of cosmic clock, shifting its layout and adjusting enemy appearances and interactions accordingly.

In this game, you and your friend won’t be able to predict who your adversaries will be since the smooth online cooperative mode allows for an ever-changing cast of opponents throughout the entire gameplay.

5. Ashen

Minimalist Souls-like Co-op Experience

Engaging with Souls-like titles can prove challenging for both the emotions and mind – that’s when the game called Ashen comes into play. It shares a resemblance to make it seem acquainted, but offers distinct elements to establish its individuality.

This game primarily revolves around managing your stamina and mastering the art of dodging, which gives it a strategic yet approachable feel. Unlike many other Souls-like titles, it does without a complex parrying mechanism.

In its category, this game stands out due to its expansive, open environment. It invites you to delve into hidden chambers, uncover hidden treasures, and work towards rebuilding thriving communities.

Although it may not appear as such initially, the game does include elements like upgrades, crafting, and skill progression; they might just be hidden or implemented in an unconventional manner.

When it comes to playing cooperatively online, you can either let strangers join your game spontaneously or choose to include a buddy for a more conventional gaming session.

Consider it a simplified, minimalist, art-styled Dark Souls with an open world and RPG elements.

4. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

Fast-Paced Soulsborne Combat

In the game titled “Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty,” your character isn’t particularly extraordinary – simply a faceless warrior engaging in battles against both ordinary humans and fearsome beasts.

In this game, the focus lies on a system where you can divert attacks. While evading attacks is possible, mastering the art of parrying will provide an opportunity to disrupt your foes.

As a passionate player, I’ve noticed an intriguing moral system at play here. If I don’t swiftly vanquish my foes, they become more formidable – yet, each victory infuses me with strength, empowering me even further.

You can fight with anything, from polearms to dual swords, and can even use magic.

To tackle the numerous demon bosses, you’ll have to enhance your equipment since the game follows a system where character advancement is based on acquired loot in an RPG setting.

In the game, cooperative play is relatively smooth, although it’s not possible to jump in during a mission as it would reset the mission. However, you and your companions can progress side by side, advancing levels and completing tasks jointly.

3. Lords of the Fallen (2023)

Souls-Like With Two Interwoven Realities

Initially, Lords of the Fallen might appear to be a copy of Dark Souls, but its unique feature of dual-world exploration distinguishes it from its counterpart.

During the course of the game, you’ll engage in combat across two dimensions simultaneously, occasionally transitioning between them to overcome challenges.

In this game, you’ll find nine initial character classes to pick from, plus a variety of weapons and magical abilities, much like the typical advancement system in role-playing games (RPGs).

Although the battle system doesn’t have the same rapid pace as “Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty”, it offers a sense of gravity, making each fight feel meaningful and impactful.

Moreover, it boasts a flexible cooperative system where players can join or leave at any time, along with a comprehensive progression system. These features set it apart from “Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty,” making it a superior choice.

2. Nioh 2

Fast-Paced Samurai Souls-like

In simpler terms, Nioh 2 could be described as the offspring of Dark Souls‘ combat style and Ninja Gaiden‘s swift and intricate fighting mechanics. The battles in this game are both rapid and deliberate, offering a challenging yet rewarding experience.

In this game, you have a positioning system that allows you to choose between High, Mid, or Low positions for various attacks, based on the opponent you’re battling against.

The bosses are remarkably challenging, much like the ones we both admire and despise in Dark Souls video games. To survive, you’ll have to learn to defend, evade, and retaliate effectively.

The unique loot-based advancement mechanism distinguishes this game from typical Souls-like titles, giving it a resemblance to games such as Diablo. Moreover, the game offers an extensive character development system through intricate skill branches for personalized gameplay.

As a gamer diving into the world of Nioh 2, I’ve got to warn you: this game is a gem among Souls-like games, but its combat system can be quite intricate and challenging, even for veterans. So, buckle up and prepare yourself if you’re new to this genre!

When it comes to cooperative play, you have two options:

1. Invite a friend or someone new (your partnership will end once the mission is accomplished or if they perish during the gameplay).
2. Utilize a lobby system (this allows you to stay connected with your partner throughout the entire game, enabling you to finish missions side by side).

1. Remnant 2

Randomly Generated Worlds

You might be wondering, “How could a Souls-like game featuring guns rank so highly?” However, this title blends the demanding combat mechanics from Souls games with elements like procedurally generated worlds and extensive character personalization, making for a unique and engaging experience.

In the game titled “Remnant 2“, elements such as bosses, dungeons, and quests are drawn from various collections or pools, ensuring that no two gaming experiences are identical. This unique feature might make it stand out with exceptional replay value compared to other games in its genre.

To conquer your battles effectively, you’ll need to learn enemy attack routines, master the art of evading at the correct moments, and hone your accuracy in aiming – much like the combat strategies found in Souls-like games.

In addition, the game offers enhancements for your equipment (with plenty of options available), allows you to combine class roles (like a defensive healer), and provides abilities that introduce a tactical aspect for character customization.

Additionally, it features an effortless, interchangeable cooperative play mechanism where certain missions and battles are designed exclusively for teamwork. This indicates that the game was intentionally developed to prioritize cooperative gameplay.

Instead of simply repeating the familiar Souls-like template, Remnant 2 innovates by expanding upon it. Give it a spin; I’m confident you won’t be left wanting.

Read More

2025-02-05 19:40