FromSoftware is famous for creating and essentially defining the Soulslike genre. Their recent games have consistently received high praise from players, inspiring many other developers to try their hand at similar games. While many Soulslikes clearly draw inspiration from titles like Dark Souls or Sekiro, often sticking closely to established formulas, a few have successfully innovated and offered unique experiences. These standout games still capture the core elements that make the genre so popular, but they manage to do so in a fresh and distinctive way.
These games stand out through their unique visuals, fighting styles, and how players explore the game world. Each one offers a fresh take on complicated gameplay. Some introduce new ways to defeat enemies, while others focus more on creating detailed and immersive environments. Ultimately, they demonstrate that success isn’t limited to well-known developers – with skill and dedication, anyone can compete with the industry leaders.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
The First Berserker: Khazan
More Combos Than You Can Even Use
Details:
- Multiple combat styles within a single weapon type
- Complex bosses with challenging attacks and effects
The First Berserker: Khazan really shows how FromSoftware’s core gameplay can be improved by removing unnecessary difficulty. While still challenging, the combat feels fair and precise. Enemy attacks are easy to understand, and the game avoids frustrating moments caused by unclear hit detection, making for a smoother, more responsive experience.
Like any good Soulslike, the bosses are the real standout…
The game offers a deep combat system where players can combine various skills to deal massive damage and effectively defend themselves. You might perfectly block an attack, then counter with a powerful strike and follow up with a quick series of slashes – and that’s just one possibility within the game’s three different weapon styles. Like other games in the Souls-like genre, the bosses are the main challenge, and each one requires a unique strategy. They’ll switch between fast-paced melee attacks and long-range magic, forcing you to adapt your playstyle and keep things interesting. Plus, you can replay any boss fight whenever you want, including tougher versions unlocked through side quests, giving you plenty of reasons to revisit challenging encounters.
Lies Of P
Trading Fantasy For Steampunk Goodness
Details:
- Heavy parry emphasis, but not an overreliance
- Weapon crafting for added variety
Lies of P builds on the popular gameplay of Soulslike games, adding fresh ideas and a story that directly connects to how you improve your character. The game’s unique setting, inspired by Pinocchio, isn’t just for show – it impacts everything from the gameplay to the choices you make and how your character develops. The lie or truth choices you encounter subtly change the story without being confusing or overly complicated, making key story moments feel more impactful.
In terms of gameplay, Lies of P heavily focuses on parrying, demanding precise timing for perfect guards, which becomes increasingly challenging as the game progresses. The way you can customize and combine weapons is also a fantastic feature, encouraging players to try out different builds and weapon types they might normally ignore. It’s difficult enough to create a compelling story or gameplay loop, but Lies of P excels at both, resulting in a truly outstanding Soulslike game that keeps you engaged both mentally and physically throughout the entire experience.
Hollow Knight
The Best A Metroidvania Can Be
Details:
- Engaging exploration style
- Meaningful progression with each added ability
Hollow Knight reimagines the challenging Soulslike formula within a captivating underground world teeming with insects and vast, secret-filled caves. Like other games in the genre, exploration is key, but you’ll often feel lost, relying on a basic map as you venture into the darkness with no clear path back. Discovering new areas is both intimidating and thrilling, as you’ll constantly encounter unique enemies, unlock powerful abilities, and face challenging bosses – each victory bringing a rewarding sense of achievement.
It is a breathtaking experience that every Soulslike fan should play at least once…
The combat feels like the classic Souls games, with enemies clearly signaling their attacks and giving players brief openings to strike before needing to dodge again. The game also improves on the difficulty by letting players continue fighting even when low on healing items, as long as they play skillfully. It’s a stunning experience that any fan of Soulslike games should try, and it perfectly demonstrates how the core elements of the genre can be successfully adapted to a new style of game.
Nioh 2
Complexity Dialled To Eleven
Details:
- Real build diversity
- High skill ceiling without artificial difficulty
Nioh 2 pushes combat to its absolute limit, offering a level of intricate detail unmatched by other games in the ‘Souls-like’ genre. It features numerous interconnected systems – including stances, ki management, special abilities, and equipment combinations – that create a deeply customizable and rewarding combat experience. Unlike similar games that often hide their mechanics, Nioh 2 is very transparent about how different stats and combinations impact success, allowing players to express their own unique playstyle and progress based on their mastery of the game’s systems.
The game is still very challenging, but overcoming obstacles feels rewarding because it requires learning how things work, not just memorizing enemy moves. Enemies are quicker and more relentless than in previous similar games, forcing you to stay on your toes. Bosses punish mistakes, but they also reward players who can adapt and come prepared. Though it doesn’t quite capture the same feeling as games like Bloodborne, the game offers a wealth of intricate mechanics that will keep players engaged for a long time.
No Rest For The Wicked
Evolving The Genre In A New Direction
Details:
- Modernized systems without repetition
- Encourages experimentation heavily
No Rest for the Wicked takes the challenging soulslike genre to the next level by combining it with elements from modern action RPGs in a truly inventive way. While the combat still feels impactful and requires careful timing, the game streamlines traditionally frustrating aspects like stamina management, equipment wear, and healing. This keeps the action flowing and maintains a fast pace throughout the experience.
The game features improved camera angles and clearer combat, making it more accessible without sacrificing difficulty. Character progression is now more forgiving, letting players freely experiment with different playstyles without worrying about permanent setbacks. Ultimately, it’s a modern take on the Souls-like genre, building on what FromSoftware has created while also thoughtfully considering what works best for players.
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2026-02-04 23:08