Elden Ring broke records and broke controllers in equal measure. If you finished it and want more — or you want to work up to it — this is your list. Soulslikes, action RPGs, open-world difficulty, and a few options for players who need the training wheels first. All ordered by how hard we say: play this.
“The best FromSoftware game ever made — and it's locked on PlayStation. Gothic Lovecraftian horror, the fastest combat in the series, and an atmosphere nothing else has matched. If you own a PS4 or PS5, there is no excuse not to play this.”
“The best soulslike that isn't a FromSoftware game — and it costs $15. Massive interconnected world, brutal boss fights, rich lore hidden in every corner. Silk Song has been in development for years; this is why everyone cares so much.”
“The most mechanically pure FromSoftware game. No builds, no stats — just you, your blade, and the parry system. The hardest in the series but also the most rewarding. Once it clicks, nothing else feels the same.”
“The best entry point into the Dark Souls series. Faster than DS1 and DS2, more consistent level design than either, and a boss roster that still holds up as the series' finest. Start here before Elden Ring if you haven't already.”
“The most accessible game on this list and the best gateway drug for people who find soulslikes intimidating. Top-down crow reaper collecting souls. Sharp combat, clever puzzles, gorgeous world. 12 hours, no fluff, no filler.”
“The deepest combat system in the genre — more build variety than Elden Ring, faster than Sekiro, more complex than anything FromSoftware has made. The catch: that complexity takes 10+ hours to click. Not for the impatient.”
“The best soulslike for players who want a story. Five difficulty settings, lightsaber combat with genuine depth, and a Star Wars narrative that actually delivers. Cal Kestis went from a joke to one of gaming's better protagonists.”
“Where it all began. The interconnected world design of DS1 has never been topped — not even by Elden Ring. Dated in places and the remaster is thin, but the bones are perfect. Go here after DS3, not before.”
“The only soulslike that's better with guns than swords. Procedurally generated boss encounters, class-based builds, and excellent co-op for 1–3 players. The best option on this list if you hate melee combat.”
“Pinocchio reimagined as a dark Victorian soulslike — and it works better than it has any right to. The best non-FromSoftware 3D soulslike to date. The weapon assembly system is genuinely inventive. Critics called it 'B-tier' — for this genre that's high praise from an indie.”
“Team Ninja in Three Kingdoms China. The spirit/deflect system is satisfying when it clicks, and co-op works well. Slightly more forgiving than Nioh 2. The level design and story are the weak points — the combat carries it.”
“The dual-world mechanic — shifting between living and dead realms — is genuinely creative. The execution isn't. Technical issues, inconsistent boss quality, and a bloated mid-game drag it below what better options on this list offer at the same price.”
“French Revolution soulslike where you play an automaton. The setting is interesting; almost everything else is forgettable. Combat feels floaty, level design is generic, and it rarely rises above 'competent.' Play Death's Door instead if you want accessible.”
Puzzle-soulslike hybrid where you piece together an indecipherable manual. Brilliant and creative. Cut because it's more puzzle game than action — wrong category, but BUY for the right player.
Not a soulslike — but the samurai fantasy scratch is real. Combat is more forgiving but stylistically stunning. Director's Cut with multiplayer is the definitive version.
PS5 roguelike soulslike — brutal, punishing, and genuinely original. Cut because the roguelike structure divides opinion sharply. Extraordinary for the right player.
The predecessor to Survivor — good but rougher around the edges. Play Survivor instead unless you want the full story from the beginning.
Interesting shell-possession mechanic and great atmosphere. Cut because content is thin and the formula runs out before it should.
Anime Dark Souls with a devoted cult following. The Drain Attack system is creative; almost everything else is weaker than its inspirations. Worth it on deep sale for anime fans only.
Sci-fi soulslike with a satisfying limb-targeting system. Better than the first but still below the genre's top tier. Good if you want something futuristic.
The most controversial FromSoftware game. Worst level design, best build variety. Polarizing in the community — finish DS1 and DS3 first, then decide.
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