The 7 Best Soulslike Games On Xbox Game Pass (Ranked)

Are there any good Soulslike games on Game Pass?

Games like Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls started a new trend in action RPGs, now known as ‘Soulslikes’. Over the last ten years, many developers have tried their hand at this challenging style of game, and it’s become increasingly popular – it feels like a new ‘Soulslike’ title comes out almost every month.

The real strength of Xbox Game Pass is its diverse selection of games. It aims to have something for everyone, and that includes fans of challenging ‘Souls-like’ games. While titles like Dark Souls and Bloodborne aren’t available through the service, some of the best Souls-like games on Xbox Game Pass offer excellent alternatives.

In addition to how good the games are, we also considered how closely they matched the core elements of the “Soulslike” genre. Because of this, 2D Metroidvania games generally received slightly lower rankings.

Ashen leaves Game Pass on April 15, 2026.

1. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

A New Soulslike Lands On Game Pass

Despite quickly being overshadowed, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers was a welcome and interesting addition to the challenging Soulslike genre. As a new game available on Game Pass from day one, Wuchang stands out with its unique setting in the Ming Dynasty. While its story isn’t particularly groundbreaking, that’s okay—players primarily enjoy Soulslike games for their challenging combat, clever level design, and immersive atmosphere. Wuchang delivers well in all of these areas, even if it doesn’t necessarily top the charts in any single one.

The game’s basic structure is familiar to fans of the genre, but it adds some unique features, such as a ‘Madness’ meter and a detailed skill tree. While the graphics, powered by Unreal Engine 5, look great, they can sometimes cause performance issues depending on your computer.

Okay, so I was getting into Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, and honestly, at first it seemed pretty standard Soulslike stuff. But man, the combat really surprised me! It’s genuinely amazing, and I’d even say it’s up there with the best in the genre. What I really liked is that it pushes you to use everything – not just spam attacks, but really learn the mechanics. It didn’t really click for me until the Man-eating Dhutanga boss fight, which is about 2 or 3 hours in. If you’re thinking about playing, I’d definitely say stick with it at least that far – it’s worth it!

2. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

A Sci-Fi Soulslike With Fun Exploration & A Decent Story

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate now includes both Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and its sequel, Jedi: Survivor. These games, created by Respawn, feature a new story within the Star Wars universe, following Cal Kestis, a Jedi Knight in hiding. If you’re new to the series, it’s best to play Fallen Order first, as Survivor continues its story. Plus, the original 2019 game isn’t just good – it’s one of the best Soulslike games available on Game Pass.

Overall, Jedi: Survivor improves upon the original Fallen Order in many ways. The main character, Cal Kestis, is more developed, the planets are more beautiful and engaging to explore, and the combat offers more variety. While the sequel builds on the same foundation as Fallen Order – including the fast-paced, but somewhat weightless, fighting style – it adds a new stance system that lets players customize Cal’s combat approach. This system is similar to those found in games like Nioh and Devil May Cry 5, allowing players to equip two different fighting styles at once and tailor Cal to their preferences.

Fallen Order is also a must-play. I just didn’t see a need to double down on the franchise.

3. Another Crab’s Treasure

Lighthearted Underwater Soulslike With An Inspired Armor System

It’s possible to have too much of something good, and that’s happening with Soulslike games. With a new one appearing almost every month, they’re becoming increasingly common. Whether they’re in 3D or 2D, there are so many options now that new releases don’t often feel unique, unless they’re made by FromSoftware. Soulslike combat is becoming standard in action RPGs, which is both positive and negative. Because of this, new games really need to go the extra mile to be memorable.

I have to say, Another Crab’s Treasure is really something else! Even if it’s not perfect, it’s totally unique. It takes a lot of familiar ideas from Soulslike games, but Aggro Crab blended them together in a way I’ve never seen before. It’s an underwater adventure with such a cool, colorful world – the buildings are made from things like coral and actual trash, which is surprisingly charming! You play as Kril, this sweet little crab who gets their shell stolen, and has to go on a risky quest to get it back. What I really loved is that Kril isn’t just a silent character – they’ve got a lot of personality and actually change a lot as the story goes on.

Another Crab’s Treasure is a solid platformer game. Between battles with various crabs, you’ll be making precise jumps that are challenging without being overly frustrating. Combat is straightforward: you play as Kril, with a basic weapon, dodge, block, and a special parry move you can unlock. You can also unlock different abilities based on the shell Kril is wearing, making it fun to try them all out—though they don’t last very long!

4. Silksong

The Ultimate 2D Soulslike Metroidvania Gets Its Highly Anticipated Sequel

While there’s debate about whether Hollow Knight and its upcoming sequel, Silksong, truly fit the “Souls-like” genre, many players do consider them to be. More importantly, Silksong is shaping up to be both the most anticipated indie game of 2025 and a standout title available on Xbox Game Pass.

If you’re new to this style of game, I suggest starting with Hollow Knight. It’s available through Microsoft’s subscription service, and the sequel is generally more challenging. It also assumes you already understand how the first game works, even though the new character plays quite differently.

In Silksong, you play as Hornet in the troubled kingdom of Pharloom. The story can be a bit mysterious and confusing, but your main objective is to ascend to the Citadel. This journey will involve fighting many difficult enemies, not just the major bosses. The game is demanding, requiring you to learn its complicated systems and effectively use the unique Tools. Initially, Hornet feels a little sluggish, but you’ll unlock new abilities that make her much more versatile. Even as you improve, the game remains challenging – enemies are powerful and attack often.

Hollow Knight is also on Game Pass and, naturally, awesome.

5. Dead Cells

A Masterfully Done Roguelike Soulslike

Dead Cells blends the fast-paced action of Roguevania games with challenging difficulty, making it appealing to fans of the Souls series. You play as an immortal being who constantly respawns after defeat, ready to try again and again.

Dead Cells is a stunning 2D action game with tough but satisfying combat. A key feature is its extensive blueprint system – you unlock new weapons, clothes, and items that can appear in future playthroughs. With lots of different ways to approach each level and tons of options to customize your character, it’s an indie game you shouldn’t miss.

6. Tunic

Zelda & Dark Souls All Rolled Into One

While often compared to games like Dark Souls, calling Tunic simply a ‘Soulslike’ doesn’t quite capture everything it offers. It clearly draws inspiration from Zelda, especially in its puzzle design, but its combat shares a lot with the Dark Souls series. You’ll find familiar elements like dodging, blocking with a shield, and enemies that signal their attacks. The game even has healing items that function like the Estus Flasks from Dark Souls. It’s a creative game that blends influences from both series.

As a fan, I can tell you that Tunic is so much more than just a game that feels like a Soulslike from above. It’s a really cute puzzle-platformer – honestly, it feels like something Nintendo could have made themselves! It’s a tough game, for sure, with bosses that really make you think, not just mash buttons. What’s amazing is that it’s easy to pick up and play, but it’s also got a ton of hidden depth that even hardcore gamers will appreciate. I truly believe Tunic* isn’t just one of the best Soulslike games on Xbox Game Pass, it’s just a fantastic game, period, and a highlight of the whole service.

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7. Nine Sols

A 2D Metroidvania That Takes Inspiration From Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

After launching on PC a few months prior, Nine Sols came to consoles in November 2024 and was quickly praised by players. While 2D Metroidvanias with challenging, Souls-inspired combat are now quite common—and the genre is starting to feel a bit overdone—most of these games are still excellent on their own.

I’ve been playing Nine Sols, and honestly, it’s right up there with the best games out right now. What really sets it apart is the combat – it’s super focused on quick, timed parries, a lot like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. And speaking of Sekiro, I think it’s seriously underrated as a way to learn how good combat should feel. Out of everything FromSoftware has made, I think Sekiro actually has their best fighting system, period.

Nine Sols is a visually stunning sci-fi adventure heavily inspired by Asian myths. You play as Yi, embarking on a quest to defeat nine powerful and distinct Sols. The combat is focused and intense, easy to learn but difficult to master, especially as the game gets harder later on. Though it might not be as brutally challenging as games like Sekiro or Hollow Knight, Nine Sols will still provide a good test for experienced players of action games.

Other Game Pass Games To Try Out Once You Have Completed All The Soulslikes

Xbox Game Pass doesn’t have a large selection of games like Dark Souls, and subscribers will likely play through them all pretty quickly. We even had to be flexible with what counts as a ‘Soulslike’ – including games like Silksong and Tunic – just to offer more choices. Without branching out beyond true Soulslike titles, players will eventually find themselves wanting that challenging experience but with nothing new to play.

The following titles are not part of the genre, but they can scratch a similar itch in a pinch.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Yes, I know, we are reaching the point when recommending Clair Obscur is almost a cliché. However, this recommendation isn’t based on the game’s popularity, but rather its parry and dodge system. Both of them require reading (or hearing) an enemy’s moves to execute, and they add a real-time twist to the turn-based RPG. Beyond these two mechanics, Clair Obscur‘s world is prime-Soulslike material, as is its unapologetically dark fantasy aesthetic and tone. It is way more story-driven than something like Dark Souls, but the story is great.
Ninja Gaiden 4 – In some ways, NG4 is the direct opposite of a Soulslike, as it prioritizes speed, combos, efficiency, and linear stages. The hack-and-slash combat is far quicker than any Soulslike on the market, and it is arguably far more in-depth, as players have far more moves to memorize and master. Still, we are ultimately talking about a difficult-as-hell game that expects players to learn, adapt, and evolve, all the while taking on some incredibly hard bosses.
Ryse: Son of Rome – Yeah, the Xbox One flop that came and went without leaving much of an impression. Ryse: Son of Rome is nearly 13 years old, and it still looks better than like 80% of Game Pass games. Graphics aren’t ultimately that important, but they are a major selling point for this particular release. More importantly for Soulslike fans, Ryse‘s melee combat is satisfying, gory, and challenging enough to remain interesting.
Atlas Fallen: Reign of Sand – By the same dev team responsible for The Surge and the original Lords of the Fallen, Atlas Fallen is a hack-and-slash open-world game that takes a few light elements from Soulslikes. The combat is fast, accessible, and flashy, and it is built around a momentum system that gradually unlocks more options. The latter is probably the game’s most interesting mechanic. Although quite rough at launch, Atlas Fallen received a pretty major update about a year later that provided some real improvements. Heck, I played the pre-updated version and had fun.

2026-04-11 12:06