Best Soulslike Games That Aren’t Painfully Difficult, Ranked

Summary

Soulslike games no longer have to be unfairly difficult, offering engaging gameplay with manageable challenges.
Titles like Steelrising and Remnant 2 merge Soulslike elements with new mechanics for a fresh experience.
Games such as Mortal Shell and Blasphemous 2 offer customizable combat and stunning worlds without overwhelming difficulty.

Since its inception over a decade ago, the Soulslike genre has seen significant growth, yet it’s been consistently linked with toughness. Monstrous bosses that demand persistence for hours to defeat, relentless enemies launching attacks from all directions, and a world that seems to conspire against the player even more than its own adversaries – these elements are common themes. There’s little room for mistakes, and the level of challenge can sometimes feel borderline unjust.

Fortunately, there are still numerous games in the Soulslike genre that manage to preserve the delightful gameplay mechanics and intricate world-building, all without demanding an extreme physical effort from players to defeat even a single boss. It’s gratifying when such games recognize their own level of difficulty, and when developers slightly reduce the challenge, it significantly enhances the gaming experience.

8. Steelrising

Aggressive Automatons That Don’t Push The Limits

Steelrising presents an engaging title that blends the backdrop of the French Revolution with a chilling mechanical nightmare, equally terrifying yet captivating. The visual world is stunningly crafted, and gameplay mirrors this beauty, borrowing aspects from the Soulslike genre while maintaining approachability by simplifying enemy patterns for easier comprehension.

The game offers an assist mode where players can experiment with damage figures and energy drain, also providing them with an option to be invincible. This results in a more structured experience that doesn’t overwhelm. Despite this, the adversary designs remain enjoyable to battle against, ensuring players never feel out of their depth, even at the beginning.

7. Remnant 2

Crispy Gunplay With A Decent Challenge

In the sequel titled “Remnant 2”, they’ve expanded upon the foundation of the original game, crafting a more comprehensive gaming experience that includes intense cooperative battles against formidable adversaries. By merging the Soulslike genre with a shooter-style game, it introduces a refreshing twist. The enemies remain challenging, yet they are manageable thanks to the inclusion of ample opportunities for tactical counterplay and strategic engagement.

What truly distinguishes this game is its customization feature, allowing players to instantly switch and enhance their weapons and skills as desired. Furthermore, the multiplayer aspect means that even when encounters become tougher than anticipated, having teammates by your side provides an added advantage, making it easier to defeat any boss.

6. Thymesia

Short, Sweet, And Never Too Much

Thymesia

Thymesia, a brief yet immersive Soulslike game, delivers an exhilarating experience reminiscent of fast-paced games like Bloodborne, but with a more approachable difficulty level. The standout aspect lies in the unique ability to wield your enemies’ weapons against them, thanks to potent abilities that drastically alter every combat situation.

When their supervisor arrives, the attack sequences tend to be brief and uncomplicated, allowing for flexibility in play speed. This means players can move at a pace that suits them comfortably, yet still enjoy the same level of success. Moreover, each boss’s health pool isn’t excessively large, and they are always defeated following an engaging, straightforward, yet still fulfilling fight.

5. Salt And Sanctuary

Simplistic Gameplay With A Unique Art Style

Salt and Sanctuary” is an impressive debut in the genre, crafted by two immensely skilled and passionate creators. The game’s level design shows obvious influences from the early Dark Souls series. Unlike many games, it doesn’t allow players to quickly return to a central hub location, instead urging them to explore the world at large.

The fighting experience is straightforward yet enjoyable, offering fresh obstacles with each new adversary that pops up. All enemies seem well-designed, providing an intuitive gaming experience. Immersing yourself in this world can be addictive due to the abundance of hidden stories and facts scattered everywhere. For enthusiasts of the Soulslike genre, there’s enough difficulty to keep them hooked all along.

4. Mortal Shell

Great For Soulslike Fans And Newcomers To The Genre

Mortal Shell is a compact yet immersive game in the Soulslike genre, offering fresh experiences through unique mechanics. Players can protect themselves from damage with the Harden ability and retaliate with an attack, and instead of traditional classes, there are various Shells available, each with distinct attributes and playstyles.

I must say, the battles are intensely gratifying, each strike of my sword echoing with a tangible might that’s truly exhilarating. The adversaries aren’t exceptionally challenging or swarming in numbers, making it possible for me to engage at my preferred pace and continue advancing through the narrative without encountering undue hardships.

3. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Force Powers Mixed With Satisfying Melee Combat

The Jedi games have typically followed a unique path compared to other games within the genre, yet they preserve the gameplay essence that makes Soulslikes fun. Featuring sword combat that emphasizes accuracy and timing, varied difficulty levels offering significant differences, and encounters that immerse players in the idea of being a force wielder, Survivor is an ideal introduction to the genre for players who might otherwise feel overwhelmed.

In every update, the player’s engagement with adversaries undergoes a transformation. The game offers an abundance of personalization and combat choices, empowering players completely without any concessions whatsoever. Puzzles play a significant role in the game world as well, with each region offering distinct challenges, not only from the enemies found there but also from the environmental hazards they must navigate.

2. Blasphemous 2

Focuses More On The Gorgeous World Than Unfair Difficulty

Games resembling Metroidvania have long had similarities with Soulslike titles, and Blasphemous 2 stands out as one of the finest examples in both categories. The atmosphere is captivating, drawing on Renaissance Italian architecture and religious symbolism to construct a world that is equally brutal and awe-inspiring.

As I dive into this intense gaming experience, the ferocity of the combat never fails to impress. Dashing and slicing my way through the screen, I switch between an array of weapons, each offering a unique flair that keeps the gameplay engaging from start to finish. This game isn’t a walk in the park; it presents a challenging, yet fair difficulty level. Even when the challenge peaks, it remains accessible for gamers like me who are new to the scene.

1. Another Crab’s Treasure

An Undersea Journey Unlike Any Other

Another Crab’s Treasure introduced an unexpected delight to the genre with its unique blend of endearment and hilarity not found elsewhere. Players assume the role of the adorable crab, Krill, navigating the ocean floor in pursuit of his stolen shell, while crossing paths with numerous crustaceans and marine creatures determined to thwart them.

This game combines a defensive base on parrying with wider opportunities for attacking success, allowing players to enjoy the rewarding aspects of tougher games without becoming frustrated. With an abundance of side content, it’s quite simple to amass such power that even difficult battles become trivial, ending in mere seconds.

2025-06-01 09:34