Highest-Rated Soulslike Games On Open-Critic, Ranked

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The popularity of games like *Dark Souls* has led to a surge in similar action games from both large and independent studios. While many developers are making these “soulslike” games, most of the highest-rated ones still come from the original creators of the genre, FromSoftware.

While many games try to capture the feel of FromSoftware’s signature style – mixing familiar action with new ideas and influences from other genres – few match the creativity of Hidetaka Miyazaki and his team. FromSoftware consistently delivers unforgettable worlds, deep storytelling, and incredibly diverse bosses and combat. Here’s a look at the best soulslike games of 2025, ranked according to their OpenCritic scores.

Elden Ring

Score: 95

Okay, so as a gamer, I can confidently say Elden Ring is incredible. It’s not just the best ‘Souls-like’ game ever, it’s easily one of the best games *period*. The fact that Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R. R. Martin teamed up really shows – they created a massive, open world that feels unlike anything I’ve ever played, while still keeping that challenging, rewarding gameplay we love from the ‘Souls’ series.

Released two years after the original, the *Shadow of the Erdtree* expansion cemented *Elden Ring*’s position as the best game in its class, earning a score of 94 and providing a huge amount of content comparable to a full, separate RPG. While it’s difficult to foresee any game surpassing *Elden Ring* in the near future, Hidetaka Miyazaki, the game’s creator, acknowledges it’s not flawless – but his team is continually striving for improvement.

Demon’s Souls (2020)

Score: 92

The beloved original Demon’s Souls is back, beautifully remastered! This remake shows just how important the first game was to Sony and demonstrates a real respect for the origins of the soulslike genre. It makes you wish more PlayStation 3 classics could get this same level of modern polish.

Remade with incredible detail by Bluepoint Games, *Demon’s Souls* is considered one of the best games available at the launch of any console, and remains a PlayStation 5 exclusive. It’s the ultimate way to play the game that began the ‘souls-like’ genre, and will challenge even experienced players.

Bloodborne

Score: 91

Bloodborne is a standout title from the PlayStation 4, but unfortunately it’s only available on that platform. PC gamers have been hoping for a version they can play for years, though it seems unlikely to ever arrive. Despite this limitation, Bloodborne is considered a defining soulslike game, and it has heavily influenced many others that have tried to recreate its unique atmosphere.

There’s nothing quite like the immersive experience of surviving the dangers of Yharnam in *Bloodborne*, with its frightening enemies and fast-paced battles. It’s a unique game that truly stands out, and a great reason to get a PlayStation.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Score: 90

Compared to other games from FromSoftware like Dark Souls, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice feels less like a traditional ‘souls-like’ game. It moves away from typical role-playing elements like leveling up stats and collecting lots of weapons. Instead, Sekiro focuses intensely on precise timing, quick reflexes, and using stealth to succeed in combat.

Despite being different from other games in the genre, *Sekiro* received widespread praise from both critics and players. Many consider its sword fighting to be the best in the business. By forging its own path, *Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice* is actually more accessible to players new to the soulslike style, letting them quickly understand and enjoy its distinctive gameplay.

Dark Souls 3

Score: 90

Dark Souls 3 is a highly acclaimed soulslike game that continues the traditions of its popular predecessors. While it’s an excellent game, some feel it doesn’t quite stand out enough on its own, and its levels can feel a bit straightforward.

Though it was developed quickly and might not fully satisfy every fan, this game is the most similar experience to *Elden Ring* currently available. It shares a comparable level of challenge, combat style, and how quests are structured. Like other games from FromSoftware, it features incredibly strong sections and boss battles, all enhanced by a great atmosphere, music, and memorable characters.

Nioh

Score: 88

As a huge fan of challenging action games, I was so excited when *Nioh* came out! It’s one of the few games outside of FromSoftware’s titles – like *Dark Souls* – that really captured the same magic and built such a dedicated fanbase. Team Ninja did something special with this one. It’s got this incredibly deep combat system, tons of loot to collect like in *Diablo*, and it’s awesome that you can really enjoy it with friends in co-op. Plus, the setting – a fantastical take on feudal Japan during a really turbulent time – is just fantastic. It truly stands out!

Okay, so the second game, *Nioh 2*, got a slightly lower score – it’s at 85 right now – but honestly, I didn’t think it was worse than the first one at all. If you loved the original *Nioh*, you’ll probably love this one too. Now I’m really excited to see what *Nioh 3* brings in 2026 – hopefully it can live up to the first two and take the series even further!

Dark Souls 2

Score: 88

Though often considered the most controversial of FromSoftware’s *Souls* games, *Dark Souls 2* still received very positive reviews and boasts a dedicated fanbase who consistently recommend it. While it’s beginning to feel dated – and there’s no updated version – *Dark Souls 2* remains a key game in the entire soulslike genre. In fact, Hidetaka Miyazaki, the creator of the series, has stated that it was crucial to the success of the other games.

So, with *Dark Souls 2*, it gets a little tricky because there are actually two versions out there. The *Scholar of the First Sin* edition is basically the complete version with all the DLC, and most people seem to agree it’s the better experience – it even scored pretty well, around 87 on average. But, you know, some of the hardcore fans still swear by the original release. It’s tough to say which one’s truly the best, honestly.

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2025-09-22 01:16