In 2009, FromSoftware launched Demon's Souls, and the gaming industry was never the same. FromSoftware would refine the unique formula it established in Demon's Souls in its subsequent titles, and other developers also took their swing at Demon's Souls' unique brand of gameplay. The result was the creation of a brand-new genre dubbed Soulslike (or Soulsborne, when referring to FromSoftware-specific titles) that continues to see new entries to this day.
The release of FromSoftware's Elden Ring earlier this year has inspired many more gamers to seek out Soulslike experiences than ever before, but they may not know where to start. For those curious about the best representations of the genre, here are some of the biggest Soulslike games ranked.
There are a few caveats to keep in mind with this ranking. Due to the sheer number of Soulslike games on the market, this is not a comprehensive list of every single one. Instead, this is a collection of some of the most notable Soulslikes released over the years. Some purists may disagree with a few of these games being considered Soulslikes, whereas others may feel a game should have been included though it was not considered a Soulslike for the purposes of this list. Others may feel as though it's wrong to label FromSoftware-developed games as "Soulslikes," but for the sake of simplicity, the term will be applied to the genre as a whole.
S-Tier
Bloodborne - With Demon's Souls and the Dark Souls trilogy, FromSoftware established the Soulslike genre, getting fans used to a style of combat focused primarily on dodging enemy attacks. The more defensive-minded combat found in the Souls games is replaced by a much more aggressive fighting style in Bloodborne, which along with its embrace of Lovecraftian horror themes gives the game a distinct identity of its own. Often hailed as one of the absolute best video games ever made, it's no surprise that Bloodborne is one of the absolute best examples of the genre available today.
Dark Souls - While many of its ideas originated in Demon's Souls, the original Dark Souls game is really what put the genre on the map and influenced the countless clones that would follow. It's true that there are certain things about the original Dark Souls that haven't aged well and some of its late-game areas are lackluster, but it is otherwise an unforgettable experience filled with haunting locales and tough-as-nails boss fights that make it impossible to put down.
Dark Souls 3 - Out of all the original trilogy Dark Souls games, Dark Souls 3 is the most polished and has the most quality-of-life features, making it far more accessible than its predecessors. The game serves as an improvement in nearly every area, pushing the genre forward and laying the groundwork for FromSoftware's subsequent efforts. Dark Souls 3 lets players revisit notable locations from the original Dark Souls game, and it's home to some of the franchise's best bosses, like the incredibly challenging fight against The Nameless King.
Elden Ring - With Elden Ring, FromSoftware took the formula it established with the original Dark Souls trilogy and successfully translated it to an open world setting. Elden Ring has blown the door wide open for a new kind of open world Soulslike, and it will be exciting to see if other titles follow in its footsteps in the same way they have the original Dark Souls games. As one of the highest-rated video games of all time, Elden Ring has set a new bar for FromSoftware, and it's firmly established itself as a landmark release.
A-Tier
Dark Souls 2 - While it earned critical acclaim at the time of its release, there is nevertheless some controversy in the community when it comes to Dark Souls 2. Dark Souls 2 tweaks the game's movement system and otherwise goes out of its way to make things more difficult, with certain areas standing as some of the most brutal in the entire franchise. Couple this with the fact that players lose chunks of their health when they die, and it's no surprise that many find Dark Souls 2 to be an especially frustrating entry in the series. Despite some drawbacks, Dark Souls 2 otherwise delivers an engrossing world, classic Dark Souls action, and the satisfying gameplay that fans have come to expect.
Demon's Souls - The original Demon's Souls started it all, and it holds up surprisingly well to this day. Those that can should opt for playing the Demon's Souls PS5 remake to get the best graphical experience and take advantage of the online multiplayer features, but the game is still a fun challenge on PS3. The lack of bonfire checkpoints and other missing quality of life features may run some fans off, but those that truly give Demon's Souls a chance should have a great time.
Nioh and Nioh 2 - As far as Soulslike games go, few have come as close to matching the quality of FromSoftware's Dark Souls series as Team Ninja's Nioh. The original Nioh is an action-packed samurai game that borrows the best elements from FromSoftware's titles and combines them with the best of Team Ninja's games. Team Ninja followed up the original Nioh with Nioh 2, and while it wasn't quite as well-received as its predecessor, it's still considered one of the finest Soulslike games available.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice - Some hardcore FromSoftware fans may feel as though Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice belongs in the S-Tier category, and while it's a fantastic game, fans of the genre may not be a fan of some of its changes. While it retains most of the elements that make up a FromSoftware Soulslike, Sekiro is all about perfectly-timed parries, resulting in a much different combat experience than fans of FromSoftware's titles may be used to. It also employs a more linear narrative structure and lacks any online multiplayer features. However, those that manage to master its combat may find it to be the most satisfying game in the entire genre.
B-Tier
Remnant: From the Ashes - It's safe to say that the vast majority of Soulslike games are primarily focused on melee combat, but Remnant: From the Ashes is another story entirely. In Remnant, melee focus is abandoned in favor of guns, which shakes things up quite a bit. Remnant's online co-op features are great and the game itself is one of the finer non-FromSoftware Soulslikes available, though some were let down by its lackluster loot and story.
Salt and Sanctuary - For the most part, Soulslike games have stuck to the 3D action-adventure design, but there have been some exceptions to that rule, like with Salt and Sanctuary. Essentially a 2D version of Dark Souls, Salt and Sanctuary earned mostly positive reviews at the time of its release in 2016 and is readily available on most every gaming platform. A sequel, Salt and Sacrifice, launched this year, but was not nearly as well-received.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order - The decision to make a single-player Star Wars Soulslike was a risky one by Respawn Entertainment and EA, but it seems to have paid off big time. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order may not have the extreme difficulty as other Soulslike games, but it fully indulges in many other aspects of the genre.
C-Tier
Code Vein - Code Vein has been described as "anime Dark Souls," and that's a fairly apt description. Unfortunately, Code Vein failed to deliver two of the key components of a good Soulslike: an engrossing world to explore and fun boss fights.
Lords of the Fallen - Ever since the Dark Souls series started taking off in popularity, there have been attempts to deliver similar experiences that are easier and more accessible. Lords of the Fallen is essentially an easier version of Dark Souls, though it had some notable technical problems and by extension of its easier difficulty, many of its boss fights were ultimately underwhelming. It will be interesting to see how the upcoming Lords of the Fallen sequel fares.
Mortal Shell - Mortal Shell is a game where players explore the world as a fleshly phantom that can take control of corpses and use them to fight enemies in a world that looks as though it was ripped straight from the first Dark Souls game. While it's an interesting concept, Mortal Shell suffers from a short length and narrow focus compared to other games in the genre.
Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin - Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is a bizarre concept that looked to marry the Final Fantasy franchise with the Soulslike genre to mixed results. The game certainly has its fans, but its story has been heavily criticized and many were unimpressed with the game world.
The Surge and The Surge 2 - With most Soulslike games focused on dark fantasy elements, it's always refreshing when a developer applies the concepts to a different genre entirely. The Surge and The Surge 2 abandon dark fantasy in favor of sci-fi, with players augmenting their bodies with exoskeletons to even the odds against enemies. The Surge games suffer from story, pacing, and level design issues, but they certainly have their moments.
D-Tier
Darksiders 3 - The Darksiders franchise has bounced from one genre to the next. The original Darksiders felt like a mishmash of God of War and The Legend of Zelda, while Darksiders 2 incorporated more open world and RPG elements. Darksiders 3 is the franchise's attempt at the Soulslike genre, and unfortunately, it misses the bar completely. Not quite challenging enough to scratch the Soulslike itch and failing to deliver the kind of puzzles and combat found in previous games, Darksiders 3 fails to impress. Darksiders 3 also suffered from massive technical problems at launch, making it one of the worst examples of a Soulslike on the market.