Indeed, developer FromSoftware didn't predict the magnitude of their creation after numerous games stemmed from Dark Souls. The Dark Souls-like subgenre is characterized by unforgiving gameplay, colossal boss fights, and RPG elements. You start from virtually nothing, building a character into an inexorable force.
The list of Dark Souls-like games that have shaped the industry continues to grow. It was once debatable whether the subgenre exists, but all doubt has since been cast out. The following games take after the Dark Souls series. With so many Dark Souls-like games flooding the gaming channels, which ones are the best?
10 Ashen
Now and then, a Dark Souls-like game swings for the fences, but Ashen is neither bold nor an exceptional example of a Dark Souls-like game. It's a game that not everyone will appreciate, although its co-op RPG elements aren't terrible. You'll encounter other players in this game's open-world. The visual details might be the high-points of the adventure. The title of the game is a reference to Dark Souls, which serves as the basis for Ashen.
9 Titan Souls
Although it's not the best example of a Dark Souls-like game, Titan Souls warrants the playthrough. The game's grueling boss fights are something that will have you returning. Titan Souls is much like a Dark Souls game from a top-down 2D perspective. It contains an open-world, adding to the resemblance to a Souls game. Whether you're into indie games or not, Titan Souls is bound to surprise because of its sprawling world.
8 Nioh
One gripe about the game is that the boss fights might be too hard. Yes, even for a Dark Souls-like, bosses can be too hard. When a game has "Ready to die?" in its description, players know what they are getting into.
Team Ninja was the developer behind the Ninja Gaiden series and one of two developers behind Nioh. The combat is the high-point, which brings combos to the Souls-like subgenre. The options provided for beating a section is why Nioh is a knockout.
7 Dead Cells
It's a rinse and repeat type of game, where players will be forced to start over when they die. Expect to die, but know that there aren't any checkpoints in the game like a typical Souls-like. Dead Cells takes aspects of the Dark Souls trilogy, adds Metroidvania and platforming, and sticks it all in a blender for one seamless game. If you only play one new Dark Souls-like this year, Dead Cells would be a worthy choice.
6 Demon's Souls
Before Dark Souls, Demon's Souls was an action role-playing game from developer FromSoftware. Naturally, the game is more unrefined than its successor, but it did introduce many gameplay mechanics that were pivotal for the subgenre. Whether the Demon's Souls remake will live up to the reputation of Dark Souls is yet to be seen. For now, we can say that the original Demon's Souls is the game that started it all.
5 Remnant: From The Ashes
Developer Gunfire Games' foray into the Dark Souls realm wasn't a misfire. Contrasting from other Souls-likes, Remnant: From the Ashes is a third-person shooter. One might wonder how somebody can compare this shooter to Dark Souls. Well, the tone of the game is an instant resemblance with grueling boss fights and enemy difficulty. You'll need to continuously up your game for the chance to persevere through this gloomy story campaign.
4 Nioh 2
Few games have accomplished what Nioh 2 has done. It uses Dark Souls as inspiration, yet Nioh 2 brings enough new content to the table to be considered relevant as a standalone. Nioh 2 introduces three-player co-op to the Souls-like subgenre, creating fights against bosses that are arduous and rewarding. Relying on your friends is not recommended in Nioh 2, as it will take effort from both players to get through a boss battle. Yatsu-no-Kami, the poisonous snake, is one of the most memorable boss fights in Dark Souls-likes history.
3 Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Few could've predicted the effectiveness of Star Wars as a Dark Souls-like game. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order comes in different difficulty levels, making it an atypical Dark Souls-like, but the game works regardless.
Some of the game's boss battles are optional and provide a reason for players to backtrack at any point in the game. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order will go down as one of the best Dark Souls-likes, and we are eagerly waiting to see what developer Respawn Entertainment can conjure with the sequel.
2 Bloodborne
The gothic horror elements of Bloodborne give us pause. This game is closely related to Dark Souls since it is from the same developer, From Software. Even darker than Dark Souls (if that was possible), Bloodborne's grueling boss fights and enemies make it one of the best Dark Souls-likes in the subgenre's history. This is a game with a substantial online component, like the Dark Souls games. The story lacks in some areas, but the gameplay hits the mark.
1 Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Although Dark Souls did it first, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice improved on the formula in many ways. The game follows the protagonist Wolf as he serves the Divine Heir, Kuro. There are layers of detail densely packed into each area. It was tough to fight one headless gorilla boss, but it was even more so when there were two gorillas.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice won awards for the game of the year during its year of release. Subtle additions like a grappling hook add variety. It's not only the best Dark Souls-like, but it might be better than the game it's based on.