Say Hello To The Next 5 Big Soulslike Games

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The future is looking good for fans of challenging action games often called “soulslikes.” Several developers have announced new games in the genre planned for release in 2026, including the eagerly awaited sequels Code Vein 2 and Mortal Shell 2. And there are likely even more soulslike games currently in development that haven’t been revealed yet, so expect to hear about them in the months and year ahead.

With each new ‘soulslike’ game, developers try to put their own spin on the established style, and it’s always interesting to see what they come up with. These games build on the success of titles like those from FromSoftware, offering new ideas and gameplay to keep the genre fresh and exciting. Here’s a look at five of the most promising upcoming soulslike games scheduled for release in 2026, and what makes each one special.

The Duskbloods

Perhaps the Most Intriguing Soulslike Release of 2026

Following the huge popularity of Elden Ring, many expected FromSoftware to create similar games. However, the studio surprised everyone by releasing Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon and then Elden Ring Nightreign, a new experiment with multiplayer gameplay. It’s clear FromSoftware isn’t finished innovating, as their latest project, The Duskbloods, expands on the ideas of Nightreign, offering another multiplayer-focused soulslike game that emphasizes how players interact with each other.

Scheduled for release in 2026, The Duskbloods is already generating a lot of excitement as a brand-new game world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki. It promises a more complex mix of cooperative and competitive gameplay than Elden Ring or Nightreign. Some players are really looking forward to The Duskbloods, while others hope FromSoftware will eventually return to making single-player, story-focused games – but that doesn’t seem likely in the near future.

Nioh 3

Both Familiar and Innovative for the Series

Fans of challenging action games, especially those who enjoy the “soulslike” genre, are really looking forward to Nioh 3, and for good reason. The Nioh series is already highly regarded for its complex and rewarding combat system and the constant stream of new items to collect. Nioh 3 promises to build on these strengths, offering incredibly difficult boss battles that will challenge even the most experienced players.

Fans of the Nioh series will quickly feel at home in Nioh 3, but the game also offers exciting new features. It features larger, more open areas and missions that reward players for exploring and completing optional tasks. Plus, you can choose between two different fighting styles: the powerful, defensive Samurai, or the quick and evasive Ninja. Nioh 3 is set to be a strong start to 2026.

Valor Mortis

What If Soulslikes Adopted a First-Person Perspective?

Valor Mortis is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable and potentially exciting soulslike games of 2026. If the team behind Ghostrunner can fulfill its ambitious goals, it could be truly unique, offering a first-person experience and a fresh setting within the soulslike genre. It might even be the first game to perfectly blend these elements, setting a new standard for others to follow.

Early players of Valor Mortis, a new soulslike game, have been excited by its combat, which is unique for allowing players to use both swords and pistols at the same time, and its difficult boss battles. The developers are now working to address player feedback – specifically, making the controls smoother – to ensure the game is polished for its full release.

Ballad of Antara

Ambitious Free-to-Play Soulslike With Multiple Characters

Despite looking beautiful, very little information has been released about Ballad of Antara, making it somewhat enigmatic. While currently scheduled for 2025, a release in the following year seems more likely. It’s also unclear how closely the game will follow the conventions of its genre, as developers haven’t yet showcased the boss battles. Adding to the uncertainty, Ballad of Antara is planned as a free-to-play title, which is a new approach for this type of game.

Early previews of Ballad of Antara suggest a story presented with a cinematic style and multiple playable characters, each with their own unique storyline. Developers have also demonstrated some gameplay, giving players a first look at the combat system. However, it’s difficult to form a solid opinion at this stage, as the version shown was still in development and the combat seemed a little sluggish. Despite this, Ballad of Antara looks promising and could be a pleasant surprise, similar to Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, making it a game to watch.

Lords of the Fallen 2

Sticking to a “Gamers First” Approach

The first Lords of the Fallen had a rocky start with some technical problems, but the developers fixed things with updates, and players eventually discovered it was a really good soulslike game with great exploration and a strong dark fantasy style. Now, Lords of the Fallen 2 has the chance to build on that foundation and deliver on the original game’s promise.

The upcoming game, Lords of the Fallen 2, aims to improve upon the original by listening to player feedback and expanding on what made the first game special. A key feature, the ability to move between two different worlds, was already innovative, and the sequel hopes to build on this unique system with even more possibilities for solving puzzles and exploring the game world.

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2025-10-22 16:08