The Best Soulslikes for People Who Don’t Like Soulslike Games

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Soulslike games are often known for their challenging gameplay, but not all of them demand extraordinary reflexes and unending patience. Despite the frequent occurrence of tough boss battles and intense combat, certain games in this genre find a balance that prevents players from feeling frustrated enough to hurl their controllers at the screen.

These user-friendly action RPGs (similar to Souls series) manage to maintain a satisfying level of both challenge and reward, albeit in a less punishing manner compared to many other games within the genre. Some offer reduced difficulty levels, while others provide freedom for players to progress at their own speed, making them ideal for those who typically find traditional Souls-like games challenging.

1. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

A Gateway Game for Soulslike Newcomers

  • Why it’s great: A forgiving checkpoint system, adjustable difficulty, and a heavy focus on narrative.
  • What makes it approachable: One of the few Soulslikes that lets players change the difficulty without penalty. Also, it’s Star Wars.
  • Perfect for: Action-adventure game fans who don’t want to have to stress about the timing of every dodge roll and parry.

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order stands out as an excellent choice for those who typically shy away from soulslikes due to its lenient checkpoint system and immersive narrative style. Unlike many other games in this genre, it offers adjustable difficulty settings, making the combat less challenging and more approachable. The fact that it’s a Star Wars game adds to its appeal, as fans of the franchise may find it easier to immerse themselves in the gameplay, forgetting that they are actually playing a soulslike.

2. Elden Ring

The Most Beginner-Friendly Soulsborne to Date

  • Why it’s great: A flexible and forgiving Soulsborne experience backed up by incredible lore and storytelling.
  • What makes it approachable: A massive open world, hundreds of build options, and the freedom to tackle harder content at your own pace.
  • Perfect for: Explorers and tinkerers who want to take their time and shape their own journey rather than follow a pre-determined path.

Among all the Soulsborne series, Elden Ring stands out as the most approachable game. With an extensive selection of weapons and spells at your disposal, you have the freedom to customize your playstyle according to your skill level. The intricately designed open world also gives you the liberty to decide the sequence of boss battles and adapt as needed, should you encounter any challenges. This flexibility in avoiding tough combat situations while you get accustomed to the game mechanics can significantly ease the learning process and reduce frustration levels.

3. Hollow Knight

A Moody Metroidvania That Won’t Make You Quit

  • Why it’s great: A beautiful and challenging metroidvania that incorporates many soulslike elements.
  • What makes it approachable: Stunning hand-drawn visuals, satisfying platforming, and a difficulty curve that feels fair rather than punishing.
  • Perfect for: Indie game lovers and platformer fans who are looking for depth and challenge with a bit less gloom.

When imagining games similar to “soulslikes,” many people envision gloomy and desaturated environments. Bucking this norm, the game Hollow Knight stands out with its captivating hand-drawn graphics, making it appear significantly more welcoming than numerous contemporaries. Its platforming and exploration aspects also serve to soften the blows, even though it remains challenging in certain areas. Yet, the challenge is consistently fair, which makes it an appealing choice for those who typically avoid “soulslikes.

4. Nioh 2

For Those Who Like to Learn by Doing Dying

  • Why it’s great: Fast-paced action with deep customization and plenty of build options for different playstyles.
  • What makes it approachable: A more intuitive combat system with clear tutorials and rewarding progression.
  • Perfect for: People who don’t like being told how to play but are still craving intense boss fights and challenging combat.

If you aren’t fond of soulslike games because they are challenging, be prepared for a tough time with Nioh 2, particularly during its initial stages. But if your issues with the genre stem from the monotonous repetition that many soulslike games require, then Nioh 2 could be just what you’re looking for. Combat in Nioh 2 is smooth and highly adaptable, offering a wide range of customization options for builds and stances. Moreover, the game’s tutorials and training missions are designed to gradually introduce players to the gameplay, ensuring a smoother learning curve rather than dropping you into the deep end.

5. Lords of the Fallen (2014)

A Classic Soulslike with Training Wheels

  • Why it’s great: A traditional soulslike experience with a slower, more methodical approach to combat.
  • What makes it approachable: Less aggressive enemy AI, slower combat, and some difficulty customization options.
  • Perfect for: Players who are curious about classic soulslikes but need something a bit more forgiving to begin with.

Lords of the Fallen” stands out as an excellent choice for gamers yearning for a more lenient take on the souls-like genre with a heavy focus on exploration. Unlike some contemporary titles in the genre, combat moves at a slower pace, and enemy AI is comparatively less hostile. However, don’t be fooled; the game isn’t easy, but it offers a more inviting experience for newcomers while retaining the essence of traditional souls-like gameplay. Players are granted some leeway in adjusting the difficulty level, although this feature primarily serves to increase the challenge rather than lessen it.

6. Immortal: Unchained

A Soulslike Adventure with an FPS Twist

  • Why it’s great: A rare shooter-soulslike hybrid that swaps out swords and spells for guns.
  • What makes it approachable: A stronger focus on ranged combat, which minimizes the panic of close-quarter melee encounters.
  • Perfect for: FPS fans who are curious about the soulslike genre but not quite ready for the real deal.

Immortal: Unchained has some rough edges in certain aspects that might deter some prospective gamers. Yet, its unique blend of FPS and soulslike elements makes it an appealing introduction for first-person shooter enthusiasts eager to explore the challenging world of soulslike games. The distance combat option provides players with a bit more thinking time, making Immortal: Unchained less pressure-filled than other games in this genre.

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2025-05-30 10:14