Upcoming Soulslike Games With Ridiculous Mechanics

In simpler terms, the Soulslike genre – reminiscent of the game Dark Souls – continues to flourish as a popular action genre today. There’s always a fresh influx of games featuring unique environments, original fighting mechanics, and high levels of difficulty for those who enjoy tough journeys. The remainder of 2025 and the subsequent years are brimming with exciting new titles inspired by this formula, including eagerly awaited sequels that further strengthen the strong bases established by their predecessors.

Some notable forthcoming games that resemble the Souls series are poised to significantly alter the genre, incorporating fresh twists into the traditional design. These updates include introducing an uncommon camera angle and potentially delving into unexplored territories of multiplayer, inspired by the success of Elden Ring and Nightreign. Let’s examine some eagerly awaited soulslikes, concentrating on their distinctive gameplay aspects and contributions to the genre.

As a passionate enthusiast, I’d like to clarify that when discussing soulslikes, we’re focusing strictly on games officially categorized as such. This means we’re leaving out the exciting upcoming action games that show signs of soulslike elements, like Phantom Blade Zero and Swords of Legends, or titles like Black Myth: Zhong Kui about which we currently know limited information due to their mysterious nature.

Upcoming Smaller Soulslikes Worth Keeping An Eye On:

Kaidan
Daba: Land of Water Scar
The Relic: First Guardian
Blackblade Revenant
Yuangong‘s Sword Awakening
Stonemachia
Witches of the New World

Valor Mortis

Bringing First-Person Perspective To The Soulslike Genre

Hailing from the same developers as Ghostrunner, Valor Mortis was undeniably one of the standout titles at Gamescom 2025. What sets it apart is its innovative and refreshing approach to the soulslike genre. Not only does it offer a daring and original backdrop – an alternate 19th-century Europe where Napoleon Bonaparte rules unchallenged – but it also boasts a fully immersive first-person camera perspective, which could potentially bring a fresh, dramatic shift to a genre largely focused on third-person swordplay.

Though the first-person perspective undoubtedly draws a lot of interest from fans towards Valor Mortis, what sets it apart is its challenging combat system that revolves around supernatural abilities. This is complemented by an engaging blend of close-quarters and long-range weaponry used concurrently. Given these features, it’s clear that Valor Mortis is promising to be one of the most captivating upcoming soulslikes, with a projected release date in 2026.

Ballad Of Antara

A Free-To-Play Class-Based Soulslike Action

Although often considered a “soulslike” game, The Ballad of Antara appears to find a balance between games inspired by Dark Souls and conventional action games. Furthermore, it’s positioned as a free-to-play title with a multiplayer feature, resembling the upcoming action-RPG Where Winds Meet, set for release in November. Given this description, fans will need to wait for more information to ascertain if The Ballad of Antara caters to the demanding soulslike gaming community.

It appears that, from the initial previews, there’s lots to look forward to for fans of the genre, with massive boss battles, stunning visuals, and expansive exploration levels set in surreal dimensions. Moreover, players of Ballad of Antara will have the option to assume various Emissaries, each offering distinctive classes and combat specialties according to their chosen playstyle. Although it’s slated for a 2025 release, the absence of recent updates might imply that Ballad of Antara could be delayed until 2026 or later.

The Duskbloods

Hidetaka Miyazaki’s Newest Creation Hardly Needs Additional Advertising

In April’s Nintendo Direct, the announcement of a fresh game by Hidetaka Miyazaki and FromSoftware caused quite a stir. This upcoming game will introduce a Victorian-era gothic world teeming with vampire folklore, bringing to mind the atmosphere of Bloodborne. It also signals a new phase in the PvPvE development for the studio, following the recent triumph of Elden Ring Nightreign.

In simpler terms, the game titled The Duskbloods revolves around competitive gameplay, with as many as eight players taking on the roles of Bloodsworn. They venture and battle across expansive terrains, offering a distinctive multiplayer experience. The upcoming title is anticipated to embody the signature elements of a FromSoftware game, such as demanding combat involving blood-infused abilities and maneuvering techniques, intriguing exploration rewards, and captivating narrative mysteries. The Duskbloods is slated for launch exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026.

Mistfall Hunter

A New Breed Of Competitive Extraction Soulslike

Apart from The Duskbloods, there are other upcoming soulslikes that emphasize competitive multiplayer, and Mistfall Hunter is one of them. This game is designed to be played alone or with a group of up to three players. It introduces an intriguing twist by focusing on high-stakes extraction, adding a new layer of excitement to the traditional formula. In this game, players gather valuable loot and then attempt to extract it from the map by defeating a powerful boss. If they fail, they risk losing all their collected items.

In terms of its combat mechanics, Mistfall Hunter showcases a multi-layered and swift battle system, driven by an accurate aiming system that enables players to link attacks for longer combos and hit vulnerable areas on enemies and bosses. The game features five unique character classes – Mercenary, Sorcerer, Blackarrow, Shadowstrix, and Seer, allowing players to swap between two weapons or fighting styles, and use their abilities in tandem with teammates for enhanced synergies. A new beta testing session for Mistfall Hunter is set for September 2025, with the official release slated for later in the same year.

Lords Of The Fallen 2

Expanding On The Unique Two-Realm Exploration Feature

As a devoted gamer, I can’t help but get excited about the next installments in the soulslike gaming series that have already left their mark. One such game is Lords of the Fallen 2, which follows directly on from the 2023 game, a soft reboot of the original 2014 title. While specifics about this sequel are scarce, it’s hinted that it will build upon the strengths of its predecessor, such as its gritty dark fantasy setting and shattered world. This means that players like us can expect to traverse realms of life and death more seamlessly than ever before, taking these immersive elements to unprecedented heights.

In the upcoming game “Lords of the Fallen 2”, developers have announced that a captivating dual-realm feature will make a comeback. This means players will be able to transition between the living world and the Umbral realm using an Umbral Lamp, with a hint that these realms may start to overlap, opening up intriguing gameplay opportunities. Players can also look forward to a more extensive, interconnected world with stunning graphics, a broader range of enemies and bosses, a revised combat system with customizable character development, and an enlarged arsenal of weapons. Excitingly, this sequel is tentatively set for release in 2026, but its PC version will be exclusively available on the Epic Games Store.

Mortal Shell 2

Standalone Sequel With Re-Thought Approach To Combat

In a follow-up titled Mortal Shell 2, we can expect an expansive continuation of the distinctive mechanic found in its predecessor – the ability to embody the Harbinger, who can inhabit abandoned warriors’ shells. These shells can be roused, enhanced, and swapped at the player’s discretion. The combat in Mortal Shell 2 will discard stamina limitations, forcing players to break their enemies’ defense to land critical, devastating strikes. Some gamers have noted that the Hardening ability from the original seemed to render combat encounters almost trivial, so it will be intriguing to observe how this might be addressed in the upcoming sequel.

In the upcoming sequel, Mortal Shell 2, developers are planning a significant expansion of its content, boasting over sixty unique dungeons with varying challenges, all set within a single, intricately connected universe – a hallmark feature from the first game. Additionally, players can look forward to a wider array of weapons and advanced upgrade possibilities. Mortal Shell 2 is tentatively scheduled for release in the year 2026.

Code Vein 2

Stylish Vampiric Soulslike Returns With A Time-Travel Focus

Approximately six years following the initial release, Code Vein 2 brings players back to the world of this anime-style soulslike game, featuring a unique combat system and companions who join the player in battle. Remaining faithful to the core elements of its predecessor, the sequel delves into intricate time-travel storylines and highlights abilities to control time as a major focus.

In the upcoming game, Code Vein 2, the designers hint at more intense, thrilling, and rewarding battle sequences based on vampire-like features like siphoning enemy blood to power up an array of destructive abilities. They’ve also promised extensive customization for weapons and abilities. The companions make a return as well, offering diverse characters to pick from, each providing extra assistance in combat and cultivating meaningful relationships. Code Vein 2 is estimated to launch in the year 2026.

Nioh 3

Another Step In Perfecting Ninja-Samurai Combat

Team Ninja continues to innovate by offering fresh spins on their signature style through the Nioh series and Wo Long, now unveiling a new installment, known as Nioh 3. This game further enhances the captivating universe with its widely admired and complex combat system. The forthcoming title offers two unique fighting styles, Samurai and Ninja, allowing players to effortlessly transition between the two in battle to exploit yokai vulnerabilities or focus on one style to evolve into a supreme swordsman.

Much like its predecessors, Nioh 3 is poised to include the online multiplayer mode Expeditions. However, it’s also set to enhance the multiplayer aspect with the addition of Summon Visitor mode, which allows assistance from seasoned players in tough spots. With more extensive open-world levels and an expanded roster of enemies, bosses, and gear, Nioh 3 is generating a lot of excitement among fans, particularly those drawn to soulslikes. The game is slated for release in early 2026, which means fans won’t have to wait too long before they can immerse themselves in the action.

2025-09-07 00:57