Soulslike Games With Better Combat Than Bloodborne

Among all the games inspired by the Souls series, Bloodborne is consistently ranked as a favorite. Players especially love its beautiful but dark world and its innovative combat system, which really changed the genre. It was a significant departure from the slower, more careful style of the original Souls games, and most people considered it a fantastic improvement.

Since the game came out, many new games inspired by it have pushed the boundaries even further, offering increasingly refined and diverse combat experiences. Some clearly take inspiration from Bloodborne, while others explore unique approaches, proving that difficult and fast-paced gameplay can be achieved in many different ways.

The First Berserker: Khazan

Stylish Parries And Skills Galore

More diverse combos/attacks.
Ability upgrades vs. basic stats.
Tiered parry system.

Despite being made by a smaller development team, The First Berserker: Khazan is an impressive game that plunges players into a grim and decaying world overrun by demons. You play as Khazan, a powerful general on a quest for revenge, and will battle your way through treacherous landscapes – from frozen mountains to foul swamps – teeming with horrifying creatures and enemies.

Honestly, the combat in this game feels amazing – super smooth and really satisfying. You can switch between three different weapon types, and each one has its own unique skills and perks to unlock. But the best part is the parry system. It’s way more than just blocking – you can time your parries to counter attacks and even deflect them, opening up opportunities for awesome combos. It really gives you a ton of control over how you approach each fight. What I love most is how much choice there is – I’m already planning another playthrough, and I know it’ll feel completely different because of all the different tools and strategies you can use!

Stellar Blade

Speed Meets Elegant Aggression

More skill-expressive parrying.
Mobility options that feed into combat.
Unique abilities that extend the fighting beyond just sword swings.

Stellar Blade is an action-packed game that combines fast-paced combat with the challenging style of Soulslike games. You play as Eve, a technologically enhanced soldier tasked with saving humanity. Armed with just a blade, she effortlessly battles massive robots and terrifying creatures. The game demands precise timing and strategic attacks, but it’s generally faster and more fluid than games like Bloodborne, where careful waiting for the right moment is often necessary.

Rather than relying on careful strategy, Stellar Blade lets players charge directly into combat, performing fast and impactful attacks. The game gets even more exciting as you unlock specialized combos that exploit enemy weaknesses or enhance your playstyle, ultimately leading to Tachy Mode – a powerful state that transforms you into a formidable warrior with a completely new skillset.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Setting A New Standard For The Genre

Incredibly challenging yet rewarding parry-based combat.
Faster and more engaging.
Meaningful upgrades that change how certain attacks can be countered.

While Bloodborne first introduced parrying to the Souls-like genre, Sekiro truly perfected it. The game doesn’t allow you to switch weapons or improve attack stats, but it still offers a uniquely memorable and arguably the best combat system around. Mastering parrying is key, but it’s about more than just repeatedly pressing a button. Players need to carefully study each enemy’s attack patterns and combos, as many attacks are dangerous and require specific responses.

Sekiro shares a lot of the enjoyable qualities of Bloodborne, but it’s a more captivating experience because your own skill has a greater impact on the difficulty. The game’s progression system is also more compelling, offering abilities like the Mikiri Counter – a move that lets you deflect thrust attacks and adds complexity to combat. Overall, Sekiro feels more polished and refined, representing FromSoftware’s best work yet, building on everything they’ve learned from previous titles.

Hollow Knight

More Options And Satisfying Abilities

More aerial combat opportunities.
Polished hitboxes and clear attack patterns.
Upgrades and charms that meaningfully impact gameplay mechanics.

The combat in Hollow Knight is excellent because it’s very clear and precise. Players can easily see the range of attacks and where they’ll land, making each hit feel impactful and responsive. This allows skillful play to truly shine, without being hindered by things like awkward camera angles or unclear visuals. As a result, battles feel fairer, more rewarding, and effectively balance skill with punishment for errors.

While both games are excellent, Hollow Knight truly stands out thanks to its focus on quick, fluid movement. Players can attack in the air, bounce off enemies, dash, and combine spells, creating a faster-paced combat style than Bloodborne‘s more deliberate approach, which often requires pausing during battles. The game’s Charm system adds to this, letting players customize their abilities – from damage output to movement speed – offering significantly more ways to adapt to the challenges of the game.

Nioh 2

Nearly Unmatched Variety

Depth through stances, Ki, and Yokai abilities.
Greater build variety and experimentation.
Higher skill ceiling and expression.

Nioh 2 takes the fast-paced combat style found in games like the original Nioh and Bloodborne and expands on it significantly. It adds layers of complexity with new stances and specialized skill trees for each weapon, offering a deeper level of gameplay. Combat isn’t just about reflexes; careful timing and strategic choices are key to overcoming challenging enemies. Even simple fights require you to consider a variety of techniques and mechanics.

Adding Yokai abilities and Burst Counters makes combat even more dynamic, letting players disrupt strong enemy attacks and quickly turn the tide of battle. Paired with deep character customization options, players have tons of ways to approach fights and discover what works best for them, encouraging experimentation and refinement of their skills. This creates a combat system that’s both complex and incredibly flexible, allowing for a level of skill and personal style that goes beyond what’s found in Bloodborne.

2025-11-25 11:35