Soulslikes are known for their challenging gameplay, memorable boss fights, and atmospheric worlds full of secrets. From dark fantasy RPGs to beautiful 2D adventures, the genre offers a wide range of unique experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned Souls veteran or new to the genre, these are some of the best Soulslikes on PC worth checking out.
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Souls Games vs. Soulslikes
When you hear the terms “Souls games” and “Soulslike,” the first name that should come to mind is FromSoftware. The developer released Demon’s Souls for the PS3 in 2009, laying the groundwork for an entirely new genre of games.
The difference is simple: Souls games are those developed by FromSoftware that follow the formula established in Demon’s Souls, namely the Dark Souls trilogy, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring. Each takes place in a different universe, but if you’ve played them all, you’ll recognize Easter eggs and references. FromSoftware also developed Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, which incorporates elements from their previous games while introducing a different combat system. Soulslikes follow the FromSoftware formula but are developed by other studios.
The Dark Souls Trilogy
Of course, we have to mention the trilogy that started it all. Unfortunately, Bloodborne and Demon’s Souls remain PlayStation exclusives to this day. Dark Souls, however, is available on PC, inviting you into a dark, foreboding world steeped in rich lore and brimming with hidden stories waiting to be uncovered.
Lordran, the game’s setting, is a decaying land of ancient ruins, monstrous creatures, and enigmatic characters. As you explore its interconnected regions, you’ll piece together the history and mysteries of this world. The game’s minimalist approach to storytelling, conveyed through item descriptions, cryptic dialogue, and environmental clues, encourages you to use your imagination and piece together the narrative yourself.
Elden Ring
To no one’s surprise, Elden Ring was named Game of the Year in 2022. FromSoftware’s latest Souls game raised the bar, impressing gamers worldwide with its expansive open world. The developers seamlessly connected open fields teeming with diverse landscapes and colossal dungeons with intricate, three-dimensional designs.
Elden Ring drew us in from the first minute with its epic narrative, a multi-layered, fragmented, and intertwined story. With the fate of the Lands Between hanging in the balance, it’s up to you to restore it and unlock the power of the Elden Ring.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
As mentioned above, some fans of FromSoftware’s other Souls games may not love Sekiro as much because it introduces a new combat system that relies heavily on perfectly timed parries. And while Dark Souls was all about minimal storytelling and player exploration, Sekiro takes a different approach with its more linear structure.
Still, we had fun with it and would highly recommend it. Set against the backdrop of Sengoku Japan in the late 1500s, a period marked by constant turmoil and relentless battles, you’ll be immersed in a world teeming with larger-than-life enemies and a dark, twisted atmosphere. You’ll encounter enemies that will test not only your skills but also your wits.
Lies of P
Inspired by the story of Pinocchio, Lies of P puts a dark, twisted spin on the classic fairy tale. Set in the Belle Époque-inspired city of Krat, this Soulslike combines stunning architecture, a haunting atmosphere, and a tragic story filled with secrets, betrayal, and terrifying puppets. You play as Pinocchio, a puppet created by Geppetto, who must uncover the truth behind the city’s downfall while deciding when to tell the truth and when to lie.
The combat is satisfying, the bosses are memorable, and the soundtrack perfectly complements the game’s melancholic atmosphere. Thanks to its weapon customization system, which lets you combine different weapon heads and handles, there’s plenty of room to experiment with new fighting styles. The intricate world, emotional storytelling, and demanding combat make Lies of P a must-play for Soulslike fans.
Hollow Knight
Beneath the quiet town of Dirtmouth lies Hallownest, a once-thriving kingdom now in ruins. In Hollow Knight, you’ll descend into a vast underground world of winding caverns, forgotten cities, and dangerous creatures. With its beautiful hand-drawn art style, haunting soundtrack, and melancholic atmosphere, this 2D Soulslike Metroidvania creates a world that’s easy to lose yourself in for hours.
As you venture deeper into Hallownest, you’ll unlock new abilities that let you reach previously inaccessible areas, face challenging bosses, and encounter the strange bugs that still inhabit the kingdom. The combat and platforming can be unforgiving, but every challenge feels rewarding once you’ve mastered it. Few moments compare to discovering a breathtaking new area for the first time, accompanied by a beautiful musical score.
Nioh
Lovers of Japanese settings and mythology will want to check out Nioh and its prequel, Nioh 2. Prepare for an unforgiving journey through feudal Japan in the critically acclaimed first installment. Set in the tumultuous era of the samurai, the gripping story follows Irish adventurer William Adams, who washes ashore in a Japan overrun by supernatural beings and must fight to survive.
In Nioh 2, you play as a Yokai trying to stop the aforementioned invasion. The combat system is quite different from the original Souls titles, but it’s still a lot of fun!
Black Myth: Wukong
Inspired by the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, Black Myth: Wukong is an action RPG that takes you on an unforgettable journey through a world steeped in ancient legends, mythical creatures, and breathtaking landscapes. You play as the Destined One, a warrior who must uncover the truth behind a legendary tale. From forgotten temples to mysterious forests, every location is rich in intricate details, hidden secrets, and stunning scenery.
Combat is at the heart of the adventure, blending fluid staff combat with powerful abilities and transformations. You’ll face a wide variety of enemies and challenging bosses. The story also has many hidden layers, especially for those familiar with Journey to the West, and uncovering its deeper connections makes the experience even more memorable.
Dead Cells
If you’re a fan of heart-pounding action, relentless challenges, and a dash of dark humor, Dead Cells is a game that will keep you hooked for hours. Developed by the indie studio Motion Twin, it seamlessly blends exploration, combat, and progression in a way that feels both familiar and refreshingly new.
Step into the shoes of a nameless, reanimated warrior as you fight your way through a sprawling, interconnected world filled with nightmarish creatures, hidden secrets, and terrifying bosses. Thanks to procedural generation, each playthrough offers a new, unpredictable world. You never know what weapons, abilities, or challenges you’ll encounter next.
Nine Sols
By blending Taoist philosophy with cyberpunk aesthetics, Nine Sols offers a distinctive take on the 2D action platformer. Set in the mysterious realm of New Kunlun, once home to an ancient alien civilization, the game follows Yi, a forgotten hero who awakens with one goal: to defeat the nine Sols who rule this forsaken land. As you explore its beautifully hand-drawn environments, you’ll uncover ancient secrets, meet intriguing characters, and piece together a story full of unexpected twists.
The combat draws inspiration from Sekiro, centering every encounter on precise parries and perfectly timed deflections. Beyond the action, Nine Sols impresses with its gorgeous artwork, atmospheric soundtrack, and emotional character development. Its story can be cryptic at times, but uncovering the truth behind New Kunlun makes the journey worthwhile.
The Remnant Duology
If you usually go for characters with ranged abilities in your games, Remnant: From the Ashes and its sequel, Remnant II, are for you! Unlike most Soulslikes, this duology focuses on ranged combat rather than melee, letting you fight your enemies with guns.
In the dark, desolate world of Remnant: From the Ashes, humanity struggles to survive amid the ruins of civilization. As one of the last remnants of humankind, your mission is clear: take on hordes of deadly enemies and colossal bosses. In Remnant II, you must battle new deadly foes to stop an evil force from destroying reality itself.
Valor Mortis
From the creators of Ghostrunner comes Valor Mortis, a first-person Soulslike set in an alternate Napoleonic Europe. You play as William, a soldier in Napoleon’s Grande Armée who returns from the dead to find a continent ravaged by a mysterious plague. With supernatural powers coursing through your veins, you’ll face horrifying monsters, uncover a sinister conspiracy, and discover what has happened to the world you once knew.
Combat combines intense melee combat with ranged attacks, precise parries, and quick dodges. You’ll also unlock supernatural abilities and upgrade your skills as you grow stronger, giving you new ways to tackle increasingly dangerous enemies. Death is part of the journey, and retrieving lost upgrade points adds another layer of tension to exploration. Valor Mortis is clearly inspired by games like BioShock, Dishonored, and Sekiro, yet it blends familiar Soulslike challenges with its own distinctive style.
Mortal Shell II
Mortal Shell II is a standalone sequel that expands the dark fantasy world of its predecessor, delivering intense combat and a ravaged world brimming with secrets to uncover. As you explore its desolate landscapes, you’ll discover the forgotten Shells of eight fallen warriors. Possess them, harness their powers, and prepare to face the false gods standing in your way as you fight to redeem a broken world.
Combat is fast, fluid, and hard-hitting, with responsive controls that make every encounter satisfying. You can experiment with different weapons, upgrades, and abilities to build a setup that suits your playstyle. Sprawling dungeons, hidden locations, and valuable upgrades are scattered throughout the world. The map helps you track discovered gates and dungeons without constantly pointing you toward your next objective, leaving plenty of room for genuine discovery.
Salt and Sanctuary
Imagine a world of doom and despair, where a lone sailor is shipwrecked on an uncharted island. This forsaken place is cloaked in an eerie mist, its valleys echoing with the haunting whispers of long-forgotten souls. Welcome to the nightmarish realm of Salt and Sanctuary!
The dark world is inspired by the Souls games, and instead of collecting souls, you collect salt, which you lose whenever you die in a boss battle. The game masterfully blends fast, brutal, and complex 2D combat with meticulously crafted RPG mechanics, and we recommend it to fans of the genre.
Blasphemous II
Prepare to embark on a harrowing journey through the twisted, nightmarish world of Cvstodia once more in Blasphemous II. This sequel elevates the dark, haunting essence of its predecessor to new heights, delivering an even more gripping and immersive experience. Assume the role of a penitent warrior once again, armed with a new array of deadly and divine abilities.
The pixel-perfect, hand-drawn visuals return with even greater detail, ensuring that every grotesque creature, every haunting location, and every exquisite piece of architecture is more vivid and spine-chilling than ever. In a world as hauntingly beautiful as it is terrifying, will you be the penitent savior or the ultimate blasphemer?
The First Berserker: Khazan
Set 800 years before the events of Dungeon Fighter Online, The First Berserker: Khazan tells the story of a legendary general betrayed by the empire he once served. After returning from the dead, Khazan sets out on a brutal quest for revenge, determined to uncover the truth behind his downfall and confront those responsible. With its gritty art style, detailed environments, and powerful soundtrack, this action RPG brings the world of Arad to life in a dark, striking way.
Combat is where Khazan truly shines, blending fast-paced action with precise timing and strategic decision-making. With a variety of weapon types, gear crafting, and extensive upgrade options, you can experiment with builds to find the fighting style that suits you best. The challenging encounters make every victory feel earned, while polished gameplay keeps the action flowing.
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