VG Insights reports that over the past decade soulslike releases on Steam have surged forty-onefold — a 4,100% increase. In 2024 the platform saw 371 such projects, compared with just nine in 2015.
About 60% of all releases come from Asian developers, and 97% of the genre’s purchasers are likewise based in Asia. The study found that AA publishers held sway until 2022, but now large studios are responsible for two-thirds of new soulslike releases.
In 2025, Black Myth: Wukong led Steam sales, highlighting Chinese and American players as the genre’s principal consumers.
The genre’s rapid growth has produced oversaturation — even prominent studios like NeoBards Entertainment have voiced irritation at having titles such as Silent Hill F lumped into the soulslike label.
However, the trend appears to be cooling: only 207 soulslike games launched on Steam in 2025. The market may finally get some breathing room.
Source: iXBT.games