10 Soulslikes Reviewed Better Than Elden Ring: Nightreign

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Okay, so it’s been about six months since Elden Ring: Nightreign came out, and honestly? I can confidently say I’m really disappointed with it. As a long-time fan of FromSoftware, it just didn’t live up to expectations.

Honestly, as someone who loves both roguelites and Souls-like games, this title just didn’t quite hit the same high notes as the games that inspired it. It’s a fun multiplayer experience, sure, but it doesn’t feel as special or polished as previous games from this developer. It’s good, but not great, and I was hoping for something truly amazing.

I appreciate the ambition of trying something new with this game, but the way it relies on ongoing services has been a major turn-off for me, and it seems for many others too, judging by its Metacritic score of 77.

Honestly, my issues with the game are pretty broad, and that’s why I was able to put together this list of ten Soulslike games that I actually liked more than Elden Ring: Nightreign.

I’m creating this list using games labeled as “Souls-like” on Steam, and I’ll prioritize those with the best Metacritic scores based on the number of reviews they’ve received.

10. Another Crab’s Treasure

Aggregate Score: 78

I started playing Another Crab’s Treasure just looking for a bit of fun, but I was surprised to find it’s a really well-made game in the challenging ‘Soulslike’ style.

The game stands out not only for its strong themes and how it cleverly uses humor to critique environmental pollution – all while maintaining a consistent and engaging story – but also for its polished and enjoyable gameplay.

The game features a unique skill system, a parry mechanic that feels great to use, well-designed levels with smooth platforming, and incredibly tough but rewarding boss fights. While it doesn’t have a ton of content, what is there is exceptionally well-made.

I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed Another Crab’s Treasure. If you’re a fan of games like those made by FromSoftware, but want something fresh and unique, I highly recommend checking it out.

9. Lies of P

Aggregate Score: 80

It’s surprising that Lies of P only has an average score of 80, considering it’s the best Soulslike game I’ve ever played. Still, it’s good enough to be included on this list.

NEOWIZ has created a game that brilliantly captures the spirit of the Soulsborne series. It features a fascinating world with rich storytelling, memorable characters, and incredibly challenging bosses that will test even experienced players.

With its brilliant take on the Pinocchio story and stunning visuals inspired by Bloodborne, the city of Krat feels incredibly detailed and polished – a level of quality usually only seen in games made by the biggest and most talented developers.

Despite being a smaller title, Lies of P demonstrates that AA games can deliver experiences comparable to major blockbuster releases. Its excellent story and gameplay stand up well against many of FromSoftware’s renowned titles.

8. Black Myth: Wukong

Aggregate Score: 81

I’m really passionate about video games that draw inspiration from their culture and history, and use the power of gaming to connect people. That’s why I’m so excited about Black Myth: Wukong.

Although it doesn’t fully embrace the difficult, methodical style of games like Dark Souls, you can definitely see the influence of Hidetaka Miyazaki’s design. It features tough boss battles, lots of different ways to build your character, a mysterious story told in pieces, and side quests that feel incredibly hidden – almost like you’d need to be a programmer to find them all.

It’s not surprising that Black Myth: Wukong has received Game of the Year nominations – it truly stands out in its genre. The game boasts an incredible mythological world, brilliantly adapted, and offers gameplay that remains engaging and impressive even after dozens of hours of play.

Seeing someone hit a flying white dragon with a stick from 10 meters away, with thunder echoing across a frozen landscape, feels like witnessing a miracle. And incredibly, this spectacle is becoming commonplace in China.

7. Nine Sols

Aggregate Score: 84

Many people thought it would be impossible to create a game that combined the best parts of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Hollow Knight, but Nine Sols managed to do just that. It’s a surprisingly well-made game that’s hard to stop playing once you start.

Soulslike and Metroidvania games work really well together. Both styles focus on carefully crafted levels, challenging gameplay, tough bosses, and a sense of gradual progress, creating an adventure that feels rewarding from the very beginning.

Once you learn to block attacks, get comfortable with how the game moves, and start fighting with precise, skillful timing – almost like a samurai without a sword – you’ll experience a uniquely smooth and satisfying gameplay experience, rarely found in video games, even among larger titles.

I still get nightmares thinking about the game’s last boss, but the rewarding feeling of each battle makes up for it. There’s nothing quite like the rush of perfectly timing a series of blocks, especially when it leads to a devastating attack.

6. Blasphemous 2

Aggregate Score: 84

I really enjoyed Blasphemous, but I even more strongly recommend Blasphemous 2. It’s one of the best indie game sequels I’ve ever experienced.

Okay, so the developers really listened to what made the last game great and built on it. Honestly, everything feels polished and improved in this new installment – there’s not a single thing that hasn’t been refined. They clearly did their research and knocked it out of the park!

With diverse and challenging bosses, tight platforming, stunning art, rewarding progression, hidden secrets, and a fantastic soundtrack, Blasphemous 2 truly shines. This Metroidvania, inspired by the Souls series, offers a heavenly experience for every hour you play.

I wish the game had been a bit more challenging overall, as only the last boss felt as difficult as the challenges in the first game. However, this is a small issue and doesn’t detract from the fact that it’s a fantastic indie game and a true masterpiece.

5. Salt and Sanctuary

Aggregate Score: 84

I wasn’t really into independent games or ‘Souls-like’ games (besides those made by FromSoftware) until I played Salt and Sanctuary. It completely changed my perspective, and I’m very grateful for that experience.

Even after ten years, I still think this is the best 2D game to capture the feeling of the Soulsborne series. It perfectly recreates the anxiety, uncertainty, and tension those games are known for, but in a new and refreshing way.

Beating your first boss, pledging allegiance to a covenant, uncovering a hidden area, or learning a new way to move – Salt and Sanctuary excels at making each milestone feel special. The game consistently grows more complex, giving players plenty of reasons to keep exploring its world.

Honestly, the gaming landscape has really evolved in the last couple of years – we’ve seen some incredible Metroidvanias, Soulslikes, indie titles, and 2D games come out. But as much as I love all those new games, I don’t think any of them have quite had the same lasting effect or become as important as Ska Studios’ game did. It really stood out!

4. Death’s Door

Aggregate Score: 85

What makes Soulslike games so appealing is that each one can take a unique approach, building on elements like how you improve your character, the layout of the levels, challenging gameplay, and a story that isn’t always straightforward. Death’s Door, for example, combines all of these features.

While most games like it are dark and serious, Death’s Door stands out with its bright, colorful, and classic fantasy setting. This creates a lively world filled with interesting creatures – even though they’re trying to defeat you, it’s a beautiful place to explore and enjoy.

The game features familiar challenges – tough bosses, mysterious characters, connected areas, and unclear goals – but it feels like a classic Legend of Zelda title. Exploration, figuring out how the world works, and using your surroundings are just as crucial as combat skills.

As a huge fan, I think Death’s Door is a modern classic. What I love is that it takes current game ideas but feels like it’s built on old-school principles. It’s all about exploring and having an adventure for its own sake, not just rushing to finish things, and that’s what makes it so special to me.

3. Tunic

Aggregate Score: 85

The Soulsborne games are known for making you learn by getting lost in challenging environments, but Tunic really pushes this idea to the extreme.

I faintly remember being wonderfully lost in a video game. It was a great feeling to explore and figure out how everything worked on my own, relying only on my own logic – it was both challenging and incredibly satisfying.

The battles and bosses in the game are really well done, to be honest. But what people truly love about Tunic isn’t just that the gameplay is okay; it’s how it all ties into exploring the world. It’s about figuring out how the maps connect, understanding what each item does, and learning how to use the environment to your advantage during fights – that’s what makes it special.

Out of all these games, Tunic is definitely one of the best, but it’s also the hardest to suggest to others. It’s not very easy to pick up and play. Most of the other games are fairly simple and focus on repeating patterns, but Tunic is unique because it’s all about figuring things out – specifically, uncovering hidden knowledge, which isn’t usually a major focus in games like Dark Souls.

2. Nioh

Aggregate Score: 88

I don’t enjoy Nioh as much as the other games on this list – I appreciate how it looks more than how it actually plays. However, I can definitely see why so many people like it and give it high ratings.

Before challenging action games like Dark Souls became popular, it felt impossible for a new game to really stand out. But Team Ninja did just that, successfully applying their expertise in fast-paced combat to a completely different style of gameplay – and the result was even better than I expected.

The game’s setting in feudal Japan, combined with elements of Yokai folklore, is a major strength. However, what really makes it stand out is its challenging combat system, where carefully managing your weapons and stamina is even more important than in the Dark Souls series.

Because of this, the change wasn’t immediately popular with everyone. It introduces a layer of strategy that requires more than just recognizing good moves. However, that’s exactly what makes this game special and sets it apart from similar games released in the past decade.

I might play this game again someday, hoping to connect with aspects I missed the first time, especially because I’ve always liked this developer’s work. But even if I don’t enjoy it more on a second try, I’ll still recognize that it’s a great game and that it played a key role in bringing a once-forgotten genre back to life.

1. Hollow Knight: Silksong

Aggregate Score: 91

Topping lists of 2025’s best games – and the only one Metacritic calls essential – Hollow Knight: Silksong is the perfect game to end this list, and it’s my personal pick for Game of the Year.

Honestly, I didn’t think anything could top the first game – I thought it was perfect! But Team Cherry completely blew me away. They improved everything, and it feels like they obsessed over every little detail to make this game truly incredible. They didn’t cut any corners, that’s for sure.

The years of anticipation were absolutely worth it. This game is a remarkably refined and thoughtful indie title, and it successfully moves beyond the somber atmosphere of its predecessor to create a powerfully tragic and epic experience in a completely new world.

Wow, I haven’t felt this captivated by a game since Elden Ring! Thinking about it now, it totally makes sense. Hollow Knight really feels like it takes the spirit of Dark Souls and runs with it. It’s like both games were on a similar journey, and they both ended up at this incredible, polished place. It’s just…perfected gameplay, you know?

Though not a traditional Soulslike game, Silksong best embodies the spirit of Hidetaka Miyazaki’s design philosophy. The game’s success hinges on elements like its interconnected world, challenging bosses that require learning through failure, subtle storytelling woven into the environment, and a powerful audio-visual style that conveys more than just spoken words. Without these key features, Silksong wouldn’t be the game we anticipate.

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2025-11-05 00:12