As a seasoned gamer who’s spent countless hours traversing the dark, twisted realms of gaming, I can confidently say that these soul-crushing, nail-biting, heart-stopping games have become my solace and my torment. From the enchanting world of Hollow Knight to the brutal combat of Nioh 2, each game on this list has left an indelible mark on me, like a particularly grueling boss fight that I just can’t seem to shake off.
The Dark Souls series from FromSoftware has left an indelible mark on the gaming world, a legacy that continues to resonate profoundly. It’s hard not to feel the impact of Dark Souls, a feeling many gamers share. Since its debut in 2011, these games have dominated the action RPG scene, keeping FromSoftware at the pinnacle of this genre.
For those who find the allure of replaying the Dark Souls series waning, there’s an entire category of games designed to bridge this gap – they are called Souls-Like games. This list highlights 8 such games that demand a substantial time commitment, ensuring that gamers can immerse themselves for extended periods if desired.
8. Lords Of The Fallen (2023)
A Soulslike Remake That Finds It’s Own Identity
Initially launched in 2014 with mixed feedback, Lords of the Fallen was often dismissed as a generic title attempting to capitalize on the popularity of the Dark Souls series. However, five years later in 2023, the game has been reimagined and met with greater success. Originally heavily influenced by the Dark Souls franchise, it has now carved out its own distinct identity. Despite its flaws, the game offers an engaging, unique experience that spans a grand scale.
There’s plenty to admire about “Lords of the Fallen” – whether you prefer playing its storyline solo or with a friend, or if you’re drawn to its challenging PvP mode for dedicated players. This game is definitely worth giving a shot and deserves recognition for successfully resurrecting its franchise.
7. Elden Ring
Like Dark Souls? Try FromSoftware’s Other Games!
Most, if not all, Dark Souls fans will be at least aware of Elden Ring. It has taken all that FromSoftware spent years building in Dark Souls and placed it in a completely open world, with an immense amount of exploration. It may feel like cheating to recommend a game by the same developer, but truly Elden Ring is the perfect game for a fan of the Dark Souls games to spend months with.
The core narrative in Elden Ring spans approximately 60 hours, and there’s an extra 40-70 hours of content beyond that (not including the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC). This epic game, featuring story and lore penned by George R.R. Martin and developed by FromSoftware, is hard to match with any other title when it comes to immersive, intricate world-building.
6. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
The Soulslike Genre Blends With Rhythm
Instead of “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice,” another masterpiece from FromSoftware, differs significantly from the expansive open-world game, Elden Ring. Despite its smaller scale, a player could easily invest months in this game for a unique reason – it’s incredibly challenging. In fact, even compared to the notoriously tough Dark Souls series, Sekiro stands out as exceptionally difficult. This is largely due to its innovative mechanics that focus on timing and pattern recognition rather than traditional combat.
To advance in the game, a player needs to either become skilled, grasp the intricate combat system and defensive techniques, or face defeat. Consequently, the battle dynamics in Sekiro are incredibly gratifying, allowing players to experience the thrill of becoming an authentic legend as they grow, learn, and ultimately conquer foes that initially seemed invincible.
5. Black Myth: Wukong
Journey To The West Gets A Souls-Like Facelift
The action-adventure game “Black Myth: Wukong” has been creating quite a stir in the gaming world since its debut. Drawing inspiration from the ancient Chinese novel, “Journey to the West,” players assume the role of an anthropomorphic monkey character, battling through challenges to recover six sacred relics that will bring Sun Wukong back to life. This game offers a fresh twist on the soulslike genre, boasting a visually stunning environment, epic boss battles, and combat that leaves you feeling truly accomplished.
This game, like several others on the list, follows a predominantly linear structure but incorporates larger zones where players can exercise some autonomy. The challenge of mastering its tough combat, a typical feature of soulslike games, contributes significantly to its lasting appeal. Additionally, it offers the option to replay the story in New Game Plus mode.
4. Remnant 2
Dark Souls, Now With Guns!
Remnant 2 is not exactly original, given that it’s a take on the Dark Souls formula with guns, but it stands out as the most refined game to tackle this concept. Boasting nearly 100 hours of gameplay, Remnant 2 can easily consume your time for quite a while. The game features procedurally generated landscapes, ensuring that every playthrough is distinct, and it offers various character classes, numerous weapons, build options, and plenty of areas to discover.
If you’re looking for a game that’s great to casually enjoy in bits and pieces, Remnant 2 could be just the one! Although its story might not stand out as exceptional, the captivating gameplay makes it hard to resist coming back. You’ll appreciate its engaging gunplay, challenging boss battles, and extensive world exploration. Definitely give it a shot!
3. Hollow Knight
A 2D Souls-Like, Metroidvania, Masterpiece
Among the games listed here, Hollow Knight truly shines with an unique characteristic – it’s two-dimensional. Yet, this doesn’t deter from its excellence in crafting a souls-like game. From visual design, soundtrack, and ambiance, to boss encounters and combat, Hollow Knight is nothing short of remarkable. The game world appears modest on the surface, but it transforms into an intricate labyrinth of challenging boss battles that are reminiscent of nightmares.
The character is given their mission and instructed to delve into the world, choosing their own route as they navigate through backtracks, pitfalls, ascents, and uncovering mysteries that lie in the open. There’s nothing quite like Hollow Knight, and for those seeking a game that offers both a challenging experience and a touch of whimsical charm, this is definitely it.
2. Nioh 2: Complete Edition
Arguably The Perfect Souls-Like
Team Ninja developed both Nioh and Nioh 2, which are often considered the epitome of souls-like games. Set in 16th-century Japan, Nioh 2 serves as a prequel and sequel to the original storyline but offers significant improvements from a gameplay perspective. The gameplay is smooth and fulfilling, sharing similarities with Dark Souls, though it’s generally considered more challenging.
Nioh 2 is definitely worth your time, as it takes nearly 150 hours to fully delve into the complete version of the game. It offers a wealth of content for gamers of all types if they are prepared to overcome the challenging difficulty. The game features numerous references to traditional Japanese folklore, creating an intriguing world that echoes the style of Dark Souls in terms of gameplay.
1. Lies Of P
What If Pinocchio Was A Dark Souls Game?
The last game featured is “Lies of P“, an enchanting adventure that retells the tale of Pinocchio in a challenging souls-like style. As you navigate the city of Krat amidst a puppet rebellion, you will embody P and unravel a story reminiscent of the original Pinocchio narrative. Along the way, you’ll be assisted by characters such as Geppetto and Gemini (a tribute to Jiminy Cricket), who help guide P on his quest. To discover the reason behind the puppet chaos and bring it to an end, you must battle your way through Krat.
Lies of P invites gamers to navigate the fine border between deception and reality, shaping their adventure according to decisions made at pivotal moments. Regardless of one’s affinity for fairy tales, the engaging gameplay of Lies of P makes it a captivating experience that keeps players returning time and again. It boasts some of the finest souls-like combat currently available, and with numerous hidden treasures scattered throughout Krat, one can easily invest numerous months exploring this captivating game world.
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2024-12-01 18:34