Man, I’m really into Soulslike games – they’re brutally hard, but in a way that’s super rewarding. It all started with Demon’s Souls, and FromSoftware really kicked off this whole trend. Now, in 2026, it feels like everyone and their brother is making a game trying to capture that same feeling!
Explaining why people enjoy challenging games like Soulslikes can seem strange to those who haven’t played them. These games offer a unique and incredibly rewarding sense of accomplishment, which is why they remain popular. Elden Ring introduced many players to this genre, and we can expect even more similar games in the next few years.
Hardest Soulslikes Releasing That You Must Play In 2026
Keep in mind that release dates can sometimes shift. We’re expecting these games to arrive in 2026, and we’ll keep you updated on any changes or new information, as always. With that said, here are seven upcoming Souls-like games we think are essential – and you might want to have an extra controller ready!
Beast of Reinacarnation
It’s surprising to see the creators of the Pokémon games developing a challenging, action-focused game inspired by the ‘Souls’ series! Revealed at the Xbox Developer Direct, Beast of Reincarnation features stunning environments reminiscent of Pokémon Sword and Shield or Scarlet and Violet, but its gameplay is a dramatic departure. Instead of battling small creatures, players will face incredibly difficult, epic bosses. Beast of Reincarnation looks very promising and is already shaping up to be one of the most exciting games of 2026, especially within the ‘Souls-like’ genre.
The Duskbloods
If you’ve ever been frustrated but captivated by a challenging game like those in the ‘Souls’ series, you can thank Hidetaka Miyazaki. He’s the president of FromSoftware, and now he and his team have created a brand new game called The Duskbloods. It’s launching first on the new Nintendo Switch 2, but don’t expect a lighthearted experience! The Duskbloods mixes player-versus-player and player-versus-environment combat, and early looks suggest it’s just as difficult and demanding as previous Miyazaki games.
Nioh 3
It’s fantastic to have Nioh back! While Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty and Rise of the Ronin were both good games, Nioh offers a unique atmosphere and challenging gameplay that’s truly special. Nioh 3 delivers the same incredibly difficult, yet rewarding, action Team Ninja is known for. You can expect a polished and high-quality experience that stands up to anything else in the genre.
Lords of the Fallen 2
The Lords of the Fallen series has been trying to achieve mainstream success for a long time. After a nine-year wait, the 2023 sequel received mixed reviews. However, Lords of the Fallen 2 appears more ambitious and visually impressive, and hopefully, the developers at HEXWORKS have finally perfected the formula with this installment.
Mortal Shell 2
While experiences differ, many players find Mortal Shell to be a good entry point into the challenging ‘Souls-like’ genre. Though still difficult, it didn’t take many risks. The developers, Cold Symmetry, listened to player feedback and unveiled a trailer for Mortal Shell 2 in June 2025, promising a bolder experience. With its intense music and brutal combat, the sequel seems determined to stand out from games like Dark Souls and offer something new and exciting.
Valor Mortis
A Soulslike game played from a first-person perspective seems like a guaranteed hit, and it’s surprising no one has tried it before. Developer One More Level, known for the fast-paced Ghostrunner games, is aiming to create something truly special. I recently had an exclusive hour-long preview, and I was incredibly impressed, calling it potentially the best Soulslike game in years. It successfully combines the action-packed feel of games like Bioshock with the challenging, intricate gameplay of the Soulslike genre, making it both easy to pick up and deeply rewarding – but still very difficult. This game, set against a unique Napoleonic backdrop, is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated releases of 2026.
The Relic: First Guardian
A lot of the gameplay shown for The Relic: First Guardian focuses on fast-paced action. While it hasn’t gotten as much attention as other games, it still looks promising. The atmosphere is beautiful, and it’s definitely worth checking out – it could easily become a new favorite, even if you’re not expecting it.
While games similar to the Souls series, like Phatnom Blade Zero, are on the horizon, we want to know if we’ve missed any actual Souls games. Join our TopMob Discord server – it’s free! – and tell us what we should be looking at.
For more gaming recommendations, check out our lists of the 9 open-world and RPG games, and the 8 major shooter games, coming out in 2026.
Andrew Highton
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2026-01-30 18:49