FromSoftware pioneered the Souls-like subgenre in a similar way that the classic Metroid and Castlevania series created the affectionately dubbed “Metroidvania” subgenre in the ’80s and ’90s. Ever since Dark Souls, in particular, bolstered the mainstream popularity of the subgenre, it inevitably inspired other developers to make similar games.
Though not all of them grasp what makes FromSoftware’s titles tick, there has been a fair amount of games that were great in their own ways. From Team Ninja’s amalgamation of its Ninja Gaiden series with Souls-like action RPGs to Bluepoint Games’ acclaimed remake, several non-FromSoft Souls-like have earned solid receptions on Metacritic.
Blasphemous (77)
Though imperfect, The Game Kitchen’s Blasphemous was a solid rendition of FromSoftware’s Souls-like formula. 2D indie takes on Dark Souls can admittedly feel like a dime a dozen, and while this game’s pacing and difficulty spikes did garner some criticism, Blasphemous had an overall memorable gameplay experience in terms of action and world design.
Playing as the Penitent One, players embark on a bleak quest across a Spanish-inspired land that’s controlled by a religious force that can be as much of a blessing as it can a punishment upon its denizens. Aesthetically, the art direction of Blasphemous is a stunning standout feature of the game.
Ashen (78)
Ashen follows the story of a character living in a desolate, sunless world in search of a home. Deverlopers A44 took the fundamentals of what makes FromSoft’s Souls game work — from the subtly unraveling story to the enemy design to the level progression — in an effective way that makes Ashen a worthy smaller-scale entry in the subgenre.
The game also features a co-op feature that accentuates Ashen‘s strongest features — combat and survival elements. And while the art style is certainly minimalist, the bleak color palette and artistic direction mesh together to create a memorably ominous open world.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (79)
Certainly one of the lighter Souls-like games not within FromSoftware’s library, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is one of the more mainstream and approachable games in the subgenre in terms of difficulty. After EA spent years letting its license waste away, Fallen Order was praised as one of the best Star Wars games in recent memory.
While there were some level design and ability progression critiques, the game was overall well-received for being a creative blend of the Souls-like and Metroidvania subgenres in addition to lightsaber combat that proved to be a solid foundation for the future. Likewise, Cal Kestis’ story was welcomed in the ever-growing Star Wars canon.
Death’s Gambit: Afterlife (81)
The original 2018 release of Death’s Gambit garnered a mixed reaction, however, the Afterlife expansion rerelease noticeably enhanced the main gameplay experience on top of new content. Like several games under this subgenre, Death’s Gambit: Afterlife is set in a mysterious medieval fantasy world, where the story is subtly told through 8-bit-inspired pixel art.
This action RPG combined the level progression and exploration of a Metroidvania with the deep class, stat leveling, and crafting elements of a role-playing game. It’s a more obscure, but no less worthwhile 2D Souls-like that received a well-earned second lease on life.
Salt And Sanctuary (84)
Ska Studios’ Salt and Sanctuary is an action RPG praised for its stylistic art direction and Souls-inspired gameplay mechanics. Players take on the role of a stowaway on a ship that also holds a princess being married off to a king to avoid war, but an attack by marauders and a sea monster lead the player to be stranded on a strange island and tasked with finding the princess.
The 2D presentation hones in on platforming and other Metroidvania elements. However, the approach to difficulty and combat style has been praised as being distinctly Souls-like but adapted onto a 2D plane.
Nioh 2 (85)
Tecmo and Team Ninja’s Ninja Gaiden spawned a series of great games — if players are looking for a nail-biting challenge. And while there hasn’t been an installment in that series in some time, the developers took their experience with it in making the Japanese-inspired action RPG duology Nioh.
The first game was generally better received, but Nioh 2 still earned a strong reception. The storytelling was never these games’ strong suit, but this sequel was elevated from a mechanical standpoint by introducing Soul Cores and other features to vary combat. Nioh 2 was also well-received for how impressively complex its various gameplay systems worked in tandem in terms of character customization.
Ender Lilies: Quietus Of The Knights (86)
Developers Adglobe and Live Wire’s recent Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights is one of the most critically praised non-FromSoft Souls-like games. Combining the grimdark fantasy setting and combat of the likes of Dark Souls, Ender Lilies wears its inspirations on its sleeve but, unlike other Souls-like attempts, manages to do so while standing apart in its own right.
Waking up in a church during rain that drives all under it mad, the titular and amnesiac Lily seeks to uncover the source behind the calamity. The action involves dealing with almost unpredictable enemies and tough boss fights to encourage methodical and strategic combat, and Lily also has to manage the various summons she can call on in battle.
Nioh (88)
The original Nioh was impressively well-received in a post-Dark Souls environment. It featured a set protagonist named William Adams, who was loosely based on his real-world counterpart that became one of the few known Western samurai. Colored with eastern fantasy elements, Adams ventures to defeat a sorcerer amidst the final warring days of the Sengoku period in Japan.
While the story was criticized for being tonally uneven and convoluted, Nioh‘s high points went to the thrilling level of difficulty, supernatural aesthetic, and exhilarating combat that Team Ninja borrowed from its respective Ninja Gaiden hack-and-slash series and Dark Souls‘ more methodical combat.
Hollow Knight (90)
Though it arguably leans more into the Metroidvania subgenre, the risk/reward systems of Team Cherry’s Hollow Knight still undeniably make it one of the best Souls-like games out there. Hollow Knight follows the quest of the titular Knight as he travels through the fallen kingdom of anthropomorphized bugs and insects known as Hallownest.
The 2D level design and exploration are undeniably Metroidvania-inspired, but the way it implements biting challenges in combat mechanics and risks of losing the in-universe currency upon death is a Souls signature. Even the subtle, somber dark-fantasy storytelling and worldbuilding is a loving homage to FromSoftware’s narrative style.
Demon’s Souls Remake (92)
Though it’s a technicality since FromSoftware did make the PlayStation 3 original, this top-to-bottom remake of Demon’s Souls by Bluepoint Studios is an impressive feat on its own terms. It manages to do so while maintaining the essence of the original game, but this remake gives the experience a stunning modern facelift thanks to the hardware horsepower behind the PS5.
Aside from technical aspects, the game was praised for making subtle quality-of-life improvements that enhance gameplay while keeping in the spirit of the challenging combat. Demon’s Souls is set in a dark fantasy world where a hero is sent to Boletaria to kill its corrupted king and defeat the Old One that’s ushered in suffocating darkness.
