The 10 Best Soulslikes of the Past Decade, Ranked
Ever since FromSoftware ignited an entire subgenre with Demon’s Souls in 2009 and codified it with Dark Souls in 2011, the Soulslike framework has evolved from a niche design philosophy into a dominant gaming phenomenon. Over the past decade, players seeking razor-sharp parry timing and punishing mechanics have traversed countless desolate kingdoms, vanquished grotesque horrors, and unraveled opaque lore. While grimdark decay typically characterizes the landscape, titles like 2024’s sun-drenched Enotria: The Last Song have demonstrated that the genre’s core tenets can flourish even in vibrant, unconventional settings.
With major platform expansions and upcoming projects continually reshaping the space, it is the ideal time to examine how external studios have adopted and evolved this punishing blueprint. Below, we rank the 10 finest non-FromSoftware Soulslikes released over the last decade.
Pinning down a definitive “Soulslike” can prove challenging amid constant genre-blending. For this list, we prioritize titles featuring demanding precision combat, deliberate pacing, interconnected exploration, checkpoint recovery systems, and severe penalties for defeat. To maintain variety, selections are limited to one entry per franchise, strictly excluding FromSoftware’s in-house catalog (as masterworks like Bloodborne and Elden Ring already occupy their own peerless tier).
Honorable Mention: Mortal Shell 2. Cold Symmetry’s ambitious follow-up stands as one of the sharpest entries of recent memory. Featuring impactful weight and striking presentation, it immediately earned widespread praise, reflected in its glowing Steam player reviews. As with all landmark releases, we prefer to let a game breathe before enshrining its permanent legacy, but its quality warrants clear recognition.
10
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers (2025)
Where to play: PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers sets itself apart by leaning into player empowerment. While traditional Soulslikes often focus on wearing down the player’s resolve, Wuchang equips you with aggressive tools to construct relentless offensive rhythms. Its dynamic clash mechanic allows attacks to push through incoming strikes without interrupting combo strings, complemented by life-leeching builds and a high-risk Madness meter. Despite reports surrounding studio restructuring, the game’s bold mechanical foundation makes it an inventive and memorable entry.
9
The First Berserker: Khazan (2025)
Where to play: PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X
Blending grim, oppressive world design with sharp cel-shaded anime stylings, The First Berserker: Khazan delivers a striking visual identity alongside blisteringly fast combat. Serving as an accessible narrative prequel set eight centuries prior to the Dungeon & Fighter series, it requires no prior franchise knowledge. Players embody General Khazan through a sequence of brutal, kinetic boss encounters where precision defensive maneuvers and punishing counter-assaults take center stage.
8
Another Crab’s Treasure (2024)
Where to play: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X
Another Crab’s Treasure breathes vibrant underwater life into a genre historically defined by gloom. Putting a satirical spin on equipment management, your dispossessed crustacean protagonist must scavenge ocean debris—from disposable drink cups to discarded tin cans—for makeshift protective shells. By seamlessly harmonizing genuine combat challenge with whimsical charm and welcome accessibility options (including the rare luxury of a functional pause menu), it stands out as one of the freshest takes on the formula.
7
Remnant 2 (2023)
Where to play: PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X
Shifting the core loop from cold steel to tactical firearm engagements, Remnant 2 redefines third-person shooting within a Soulslike structure. Gunfire Games embraces dynamic procedural world generation, creating bespoke biome layouts, questlines, and boss encounters for every run. Supported by robust class archetypes and seamless cooperative multiplayer, it provides unmatched replayability and tactical depth without losing the punishing tension that defines the genre.
6
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty (2023)
Where to play: Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
Team Ninja has continuously demonstrated mastery over lightning-fast action design, and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty channels that expertise into an adrenaline-fueled wuxia epic. Emphasizing rhythmic deflections and continuous martial arts pressure in the vein of Sekiro, combat feels like a deadly, choreographed dance. Mastering its strict parry windows and morale mechanics demands disciplined focus, rewarding skilled execution against its fearsome roster of demonic Three Kingdoms adversaries.
5
Black Myth: Wukong (2024)
Where to play: PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X
Operating as a grand boss gauntlet through Chinese mythology, Black Myth: Wukong delivers an astonishing spectacle with well over a hundred distinct encounters. Drawing heavily from classical Journey to the West folklore, the game balances accessible action fundamentals with demanding encounter mechanics. While anchored around the Destined One’s signature staff combat, the addition of transformative spells, spirit summons, and varied stances ensures dynamic build expression across its sprawling campaign.
4
Hell Is Us (2025)
Where to play: Nintendo Switch 2 (releasing Oct. 8), PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X
Hell Is Us distinguishes itself through confident navigational design that rejects modern hand-holding, trusting players to orient themselves and interpret environmental clues organically. Set across a nation fractured by civil unrest and esoteric entities, the journey rewards inquisitive exploration and nuanced dialogue with deeply grounded NPCs. Its thoughtful narrative delivery and pervasive atmospheric mystery create an unusually gripping world worth dissecting.
3
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (2023)
Where to play: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
Respawn Entertainment refined their winning hybrid formula with Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, merging tight parry mechanics with sweeping 3D Metroidvania exploration. Cal Kestis’ expanded selection of lightsaber stances—ranging from crossguard powerhouse blows to dual-wielding agility—elevates combat versatility dramatically. Paired with intricate environmental puzzle-solving and a compelling, emotionally mature narrative, Survivor stands as an extraordinary benchmark in cinematic action-adventure design.
2
Nioh (2017)
Where to play: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC
While the entire franchise remains iconic for its punishing combat, the original 2017 Nioh established a gold standard for technical execution. Transporting players to a dark, yokai-infested reimagining of Sengoku-period Japan, the game pairs high-stakes stamina management with its innovative Ki Pulse mechanic and multi-tier stance system. Combined with deep Diablo-style loot optimization and intricate guardian spirits, Nioh offers an immensely rewarding, complex mechanical ceiling that remains unmatched.
1
Lies of P (2023)
Where to play: Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
Lies of P represents the absolute pinnacle of external Soulslike craftsmanship. Co-developed by Neowiz and Round8 Studio, this Belle Époque dark fantasy refashions the classic Pinocchio tale into a grim, blood-soaked tragedy set within the fallen city of Krat. As the mechanoid puppet P, players navigate the deadly Puppet Frenzy while wrestling with philosophical moral choices—where deception serves as the catalyst for cultivating true humanity.
Beyond its masterful gothic aesthetic and evocative audio design, the combat is an absolute triumph. Featuring an exceptional, high-precision perfect guard system, modular weapon assembly that allows handles and blades to be detached and recombined, and versatile Legion Arm prosthetics, it stands toe-to-toe with the very best entries in the genre.
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