Demanding, precise and brutally fair: games where you learn from every defeat and every victory feels earned.
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How to find games that really suit you:
Select up to 5 games you have played and enjoyed. Playalike compares 50 traits such as combat, story and atmosphere and suggests games that hit exactly the same spot, even across genres.
A merciless action RPG whose interconnected world of Lordran rewards careful exploration with clever shortcuts, deliberate combat and cryptic, melancholic lore. Every death teaches something, and every victory feels truly earned.
A merciless action RPG whose interconnected world of Lordran rewards careful exploration with clever shortcuts, deliberate combat and cryptic, melancholic lore. Every death teaches something, and every victory feels truly earned.
A merciless action RPG whose interconnected world of Lordran rewards careful exploration with clever shortcuts, deliberate combat and cryptic, melancholic lore. Every death teaches something, and every victory feels truly earned.
A co-op roguelike spin-off of Elden Ring where a trio races across a shrinking map over three days, powering up before facing a towering Nightlord boss. Fast, intense runs with distinct hero classes replace the sprawling solo journey.
2025PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck playable39.99 €83 % positive
Very positive, 130,469 reviews on Steam
Co-op or multiplayer
Runs that play out differently every time
Playing together in co-op
A co-op roguelike spin-off of Elden Ring where a trio races across a shrinking map over three days, powering up before facing a towering Nightlord boss. Fast, intense runs with distinct hero classes replace the sprawling solo journey.
A punishing soulslike set in the Dungeon & Fighter universe, where the betrayed general Khazan seeks revenge through weighty, precise melee combat and brutal boss duels. Its striking cel-shaded look and aggressive parry-and-stamina system set it apart.
2025PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck verified59.99 €85 % positive
Very positive, 21,441 reviews on Steam
Melee combat with weapons or fists
Distinctive, stylised art style
Fantasy setting
A punishing soulslike set in the Dungeon & Fighter universe, where the betrayed general Khazan seeks revenge through weighty, precise melee combat and brutal boss duels. Its striking cel-shaded look and aggressive parry-and-stamina system set it apart.
Demanding samurai action where you switch on the fly between Samurai and Ninja fighting styles to take down yokai from Japanese myth. Deep loot and build systems meet an open world for the first time in the series.
2026PC, PlayStation−46 %119.99 € 64.79 € 4 days left78 % positive
Mostly positive, 12,076 reviews on Steam
Loot and gear
Strong character progression
Build variety
Demanding samurai action where you switch on the fly between Samurai and Ninja fighting styles to take down yokai from Japanese myth. Deep loot and build systems meet an open world for the first time in the series.
The second Souls entry sends you as a cursed undead through the decaying kingdom of Drangleic, offering punishing bosses, huge weapon and build variety, and a sprawling, branching world packed with secrets.
2014PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck verified39.99 €87 % positive
Very positive, 33,496 reviews on Steam
Build variety
Fantasy setting
Loot and gear
The second Souls entry sends you as a cursed undead through the decaying kingdom of Drangleic, offering punishing bosses, huge weapon and build variety, and a sprawling, branching world packed with secrets.
A punishing samurai action RPG set in Sengoku-era Japan, where you play William and fight Yokai using multiple stances and Ki management. Deep loot and build systems meet demanding, precise duels.
A punishing samurai action RPG set in Sengoku-era Japan, where you play William and fight Yokai using multiple stances and Ki management. Deep loot and build systems meet demanding, precise duels.
2023PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified−60 %69.99 € 27.99 € 4 days left49 % positive
A fast-paced Soulslike from Team Ninja set in the collapsing Han Dynasty, where deflecting and countering define the combat rhythm. Demon-corrupted warlords and mythical beasts provide tough fights that can also be tackled in co-op.
2023PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified−60 %69.99 € 27.99 € 4 days left49 % positive
Mixed, 20,993 reviews on Steam
Fast pace
Loot and gear
Historical setting
A fast-paced Soulslike from Team Ninja set in the collapsing Han Dynasty, where deflecting and countering define the combat rhythm. Demon-corrupted warlords and mythical beasts provide tough fights that can also be tackled in co-op.
A first-person soulslike from the Ghostrunner team that casts you as a resurrected soldier of Napoleon's army. You fight horrifying monsters with blades, firearms and supernatural powers, in tense parry-driven combat set in a grim, twisted version of the Napoleonic era.
2026PC, PlayStation, Xbox39.99 €80 % positive
Very positive, 2,932 reviews on Steam
Dread and tension
Lavish presentation
Dark, serious atmosphere
A first-person soulslike from the Ghostrunner team that casts you as a resurrected soldier of Napoleon's army. You fight horrifying monsters with blades, firearms and supernatural powers, in tense parry-driven combat set in a grim, twisted version of the Napoleonic era.
A demanding soulslike set in a grim take on the late Ming Dynasty, where a mysterious plague twists people into monsters. Flexible weapon builds, precise parrying and a madness mechanic that trades risk for power define its combat.
A demanding soulslike set in a grim take on the late Ming Dynasty, where a mysterious plague twists people into monsters. Flexible weapon builds, precise parrying and a madness mechanic that trades risk for power define its combat.
A grim soulslike where you possess the bodies of fallen warriors and use them in fast, punishing fights against false gods. The sequel offers a more open, ruined world with horror undertones.
2026PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck playable−25 %49.99 € 37.49 € 3 days left80 % positive
Very positive, 20,949 reviews on Steam
Fantasy setting
Dark, serious atmosphere
Interconnected level design
A grim soulslike where you possess the bodies of fallen warriors and use them in fast, punishing fights against false gods. The sequel offers a more open, ruined world with horror undertones.
A fast, punishing soulslike where you play plague doctor Corvus, relying on precise parries and dodges and on the disease powers of plundered weapons. Combat rewards aggression over turtling, set in a grim, decaying kingdom.
2022PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck playable−75 %24.99 € 6.24 € 2 days left82 % positive
Very positive, 8,402 reviews on Steam
Fast pace
Dark, serious atmosphere
Melee combat with weapons or fists
A fast, punishing soulslike where you play plague doctor Corvus, relying on precise parries and dodges and on the disease powers of plundered weapons. Combat rewards aggression over turtling, set in a grim, decaying kingdom.
A grim Soulslike where a magic lantern lets you shift between the realm of the living and the realm of the dead. Weighty combat, interconnected level design and the Umbral mechanic make exploration tense and demanding.
A grim Soulslike where a magic lantern lets you shift between the realm of the living and the realm of the dead. Weighty combat, interconnected level design and the Umbral mechanic make exploration tense and demanding.
An isometric soulslike action RPG with weighty, deliberate melee combat, stamina management and loot-driven builds, wrapped in a gorgeous painterly dark fantasy style. Town building and co-op round out the grim adventure on the Isle of Sacra.
2024PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck verified39.99 €80 % positive
Very positive, 67,217 reviews on Steam
Loot and gear
Distinctive, stylised art style
Build variety
An isometric soulslike action RPG with weighty, deliberate melee combat, stamina management and loot-driven builds, wrapped in a gorgeous painterly dark fantasy style. Town building and co-op round out the grim adventure on the Isle of Sacra.
A compact soulslike where you possess fallen warriors as "shells", each with its own abilities. The Harden mechanic lets you briefly turn to stone to absorb hits, making combat tense and tactical in a bleak, decaying world.
A compact soulslike where you possess fallen warriors as "shells", each with its own abilities. The Harden mechanic lets you briefly turn to stone to absorb hits, making combat tense and tactical in a bleak, decaying world.
A hand-drawn 2D Metroidvania set in a Taoist-flavored sci-fi world, with combat built almost entirely around precise deflecting and counterattacks. Revenge, mythology and stylish boss fights drive the journey.
2024PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified28.99 €94 % positive
Very positive, 41,210 reviews on Steam
Distinctive, stylised art style
Dense, handcrafted world
Boss fights as highlights
A hand-drawn 2D Metroidvania set in a Taoist-flavored sci-fi world, with combat built almost entirely around precise deflecting and counterattacks. Revenge, mythology and stylish boss fights drive the journey.
A challenging sci-fi action RPG in the Soulslike mold, where you play the immortal blade-wielder Arrisa exploring the ruins of a post-apocalyptic city. Combat emphasizes precise parrying and dodging.
2025PC, PlayStation, Steam Deck playable34.99 €92 % positive
Very positive, 23,167 reviews on Steam
Post-apocalyptic setting
Sci-fi setting
Melee combat with weapons or fists
A challenging sci-fi action RPG in the Soulslike mold, where you play the immortal blade-wielder Arrisa exploring the ruins of a post-apocalyptic city. Combat emphasizes precise parrying and dodging.
A soulslike set in a vivid land inspired by Italian folklore and commedia dell'arte. Swappable masks reshape your playstyle and abilities as you fight through demanding duels and bosses.
2024PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam Deck playable−60 %34.99 € 13.99 € 5 days left69 % positive
Mixed, 2,223 reviews on Steam
Distinctive, stylised art style
Fantasy setting
Lavish presentation
A soulslike set in a vivid land inspired by Italian folklore and commedia dell'arte. Swappable masks reshape your playstyle and abilities as you fight through demanding duels and bosses.
A 2D Soulslike wrapped in Metroidvania design: stamina-driven combat, punishing bosses and a huge skill tree in a grim, interconnected world. Its hand-drawn look and rewarding exploration set it apart.
2016PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified17.99 €89 % positive
Very positive, 20,179 reviews on Steam
Strong character progression
Build variety
Interconnected level design
A 2D Soulslike wrapped in Metroidvania design: stamina-driven combat, punishing bosses and a huge skill tree in a grim, interconnected world. Its hand-drawn look and rewarding exploration set it apart.
A sci-fi Soulslike where you fight through a decaying industrial complex in an exoskeleton. Its hook is targeting and severing specific limbs to loot the exact gear and upgrades you want.
A sci-fi Soulslike where you fight through a decaying industrial complex in an exoskeleton. Its hook is targeting and severing specific limbs to loot the exact gear and upgrades you want.
2022PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified19.50 €62 % positive
A 2D soulslike where you play an Inquisitor hunting powerful mages across several regions and claiming their gear and abilities. Combat is demanding, builds are varied, and you can also play it cooperatively.
2022PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified19.50 €62 % positive
Mixed, 1,776 reviews on Steam
Strong character progression
Build variety
Fantasy setting
A 2D soulslike where you play an Inquisitor hunting powerful mages across several regions and claiming their gear and abilities. Combat is demanding, builds are varied, and you can also play it cooperatively.
A punishing 2D Soulslike action RPG in Metroidvania clothing: you serve Death, battle towering bosses in a grim world, and build your character through classes and abilities.
2018PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified−50 %19.99 € 9.99 € ends today81 % positive
Very positive, 4,280 reviews on Steam
Pixel art
Boss fights as highlights
Dark, serious atmosphere
A punishing 2D Soulslike action RPG in Metroidvania clothing: you serve Death, battle towering bosses in a grim world, and build your character through classes and abilities.
A dark sci-fi soulslike set in a ruined city where you target and sever specific enemy limbs to loot armor and parts for your exosuit. Brutal, demanding combat and interconnected level design drive the loop.
A dark sci-fi soulslike set in a ruined city where you target and sever specific enemy limbs to loot armor and parts for your exosuit. Brutal, demanding combat and interconnected level design drive the loop.
A dark, gothic pixel-art Metroidvania that blends Soulslike combat with sprawling interconnected exploration and plenty of weapon and build options. You fight through a decaying world ravaged by plague and a corrupt religion as Eric.
2023PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable26.99 €83 % positive
Very positive, 4,755 reviews on Steam
Pixel art
Lots to discover
Dark, serious atmosphere
A dark, gothic pixel-art Metroidvania that blends Soulslike combat with sprawling interconnected exploration and plenty of weapon and build options. You fight through a decaying world ravaged by plague and a corrupt religion as Eric.
A punishing sci-fi soulslike with an isometric view where patience, dodging and precise timing decide every fight. You explore a decaying world of immortals and uncover the mystery behind its curse.
2017PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified14.99 €80 % positive
Very positive, 181 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Dark, serious atmosphere
Melee combat with weapons or fists
A punishing sci-fi soulslike with an isometric view where patience, dodging and precise timing decide every fight. You explore a decaying world of immortals and uncover the mystery behind its curse.
A fast-paced soulslike where you steal enemy attacks and chain them into your own combos. You explore a corrupted land of the gods and face demanding boss fights.
2026PC, Steam Deck playable−20 %19.99 € 15.99 € until tomorrow89 % positive
Very positive, 400 reviews on Steam
Fantasy setting
Fast pace
Boss fights as highlights
A fast-paced soulslike where you steal enemy attacks and chain them into your own combos. You explore a corrupted land of the gods and face demanding boss fights.
A dark pixel-art boss-rush soulslike where a lone knight takes on fallen gods one after another. It's all about precise dodging, learning attack patterns and experimenting with abilities.
2021PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified19.99 €76 % positive
Mostly positive, 3,159 reviews on Steam
Pixel art
Fantasy setting
Fast pace
A dark pixel-art boss-rush soulslike where a lone knight takes on fallen gods one after another. It's all about precise dodging, learning attack patterns and experimenting with abilities.
A minimalist boss-rush adventure where you have a single arrow and one hit point. Each titan is a puzzle of timing, positioning and trial and error, set in a quiet pixel-art world.
2015PC, PlayStation, Steam Deck playable14.79 €82 % positive
Very positive, 8,108 reviews on Steam
Pixel art
Boss fights as highlights
Distinctive, stylised art style
A minimalist boss-rush adventure where you have a single arrow and one hit point. Each titan is a puzzle of timing, positioning and trial and error, set in a quiet pixel-art world.
A tiny fox explores a mysterious Zelda-like world with demanding, Souls-inspired combat. Its true heart is a scattered in-game manual written in an unknown script, whose pages gradually reveal layered secrets and brain-bending puzzles.
2022PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified28.99 €91 % positive
Very positive, 16,964 reviews on Steam
Puzzles and brain teasers
Lots to discover
Distinctive, stylised art style
A tiny fox explores a mysterious Zelda-like world with demanding, Souls-inspired combat. Its true heart is a scattered in-game manual written in an unknown script, whose pages gradually reveal layered secrets and brain-bending puzzles.
A bleak open-world soulslike action RPG blending sci-fi and dark fantasy. You play one of the Forsaken, fighting through oppressive, eerie ruins against the horrors of the Omnistructure.
A bleak open-world soulslike action RPG blending sci-fi and dark fantasy. You play one of the Forsaken, fighting through oppressive, eerie ruins against the horrors of the Omnistructure.
A grim 2D Metroidvania with soulslike combat in which you play a warrior shaped from ash exploring a decaying, macabre world. Punishing boss fights and oppressive pixel-art atmosphere define the experience.
2022PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable19.99 €82 % positive
Very positive, 1,248 reviews on Steam
Pixel art
Dark, serious atmosphere
Distinctive, stylised art style
A grim 2D Metroidvania with soulslike combat in which you play a warrior shaped from ash exploring a decaying, macabre world. Punishing boss fights and oppressive pixel-art atmosphere define the experience.
A dark fantasy action RPG built around extraction gameplay: you fight monsters and rival players solo or with a team, and only a successful escape lets you keep your loot. Classes, combos and skills add variety.
2026PC, PlayStation, Xbox−20 %24.99 € 19.99 € 10 days left52 % positive
Mixed, 16,638 reviews on Steam
Co-op or multiplayer
Loot and gear
Competing against other players
A dark fantasy action RPG built around extraction gameplay: you fight monsters and rival players solo or with a team, and only a successful escape lets you keep your loot. Classes, combos and skills add variety.
A punishing third-person action RPG that blends Soulslike combat with firearms. Its grim world mixes Norse mythology with science fiction and demands precise dodging and aiming.
A punishing third-person action RPG that blends Soulslike combat with firearms. Its grim world mixes Norse mythology with science fiction and demands precise dodging and aiming.
A pure boss-rush action RPG where you face bosses themed on the deadly sins. Before each duel you sacrifice a stat and drop a level, so every fight gets harder and your choice of what to give up shapes your build.
2018PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified17.99 €65 % positive
Mixed, 842 reviews on Steam
Boss fights as highlights
Fantasy setting
Dark, serious atmosphere
A pure boss-rush action RPG where you face bosses themed on the deadly sins. Before each duel you sacrifice a stat and drop a level, so every fight gets harder and your choice of what to give up shapes your build.
You fight through procedurally generated labyrinths where you shift floating blocks across a river, shoving enemies into the abyss. Tough, Souls-inspired combat with dodging and parrying meets a dark roguelike loop.
You fight through procedurally generated labyrinths where you shift floating blocks across a river, shoving enemies into the abyss. Tough, Souls-inspired combat with dodging and parrying meets a dark roguelike loop.
2020PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable−80 %33.99 € 6.79 € 3 days left76 % positive
A grim sci-fi soulslike set on a decaying space station where dimensions bleed into each other. Interconnected areas, punishing combat and co-op play define the experience.
2020PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable−80 %33.99 € 6.79 € 3 days left76 % positive
Mostly positive, 2,597 reviews on Steam
Sci-fi setting
Dark, serious atmosphere
Interconnected level design
A grim sci-fi soulslike set on a decaying space station where dimensions bleed into each other. Interconnected areas, punishing combat and co-op play define the experience.
2019PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable−90 %19.99 € 1.99 € 5 days left74 % positive
A grim 2D soulslike with metroidvania touches, set in a cursed temple full of merciless enemies and tough bosses. Precise dodging and timing decide whether you survive.
2019PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable−90 %19.99 € 1.99 € 5 days left74 % positive
Mostly positive, 1,939 reviews on Steam
Pixel art
Dark, serious atmosphere
Distinctive, stylised art style
A grim 2D soulslike with metroidvania touches, set in a cursed temple full of merciless enemies and tough bosses. Precise dodging and timing decide whether you survive.
2025PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified9.75 €83 % positive
A tough soulslike-flavoured action roguelike set in a grim fantasy world. Weapons and armor each bring their own mechanics, keeping every run varied and dangerous.
2025PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified9.75 €83 % positive
Very positive, 1,045 reviews on Steam
Runs that play out differently every time
Fantasy setting
Build variety
A tough soulslike-flavoured action roguelike set in a grim fantasy world. Weapons and armor each bring their own mechanics, keeping every run varied and dangerous.
Lords of the Fallen pits you against brutal melee combat in a grim fantasy world split between the living and the dead. A lantern that moves you between both realms gives exploration and the consequences of your choices a distinctive twist.
Lords of the Fallen pits you against brutal melee combat in a grim fantasy world split between the living and the dead. A lantern that moves you between both realms gives exploration and the consequences of your choices a distinctive twist.
2018PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch9.99 €80 % positive
A punishing action RPG dungeon crawler mixing souls-like combat with roguelike elements. Enemies coordinate with each other, forcing you to fight carefully and smartly.
2018PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch9.99 €80 % positive
Very positive, 483 reviews on Steam
Runs that play out differently every time
Fantasy setting
Melee combat with weapons or fists
A punishing action RPG dungeon crawler mixing souls-like combat with roguelike elements. Enemies coordinate with each other, forcing you to fight carefully and smartly.
A 2D dark fantasy action RPG with Soulslike combat: as the Goddess's final creation, you fight through the ruins of two divine kingdoms. Demanding fights, a bleak mood and a haunting score define the experience.
A 2D dark fantasy action RPG with Soulslike combat: as the Goddess's final creation, you fight through the ruins of two divine kingdoms. Demanding fights, a bleak mood and a haunting score define the experience.
A punishing side-scrolling action RPG set in ancient Egypt, where dodging, blocking and the choice between light and heavy gear decide fights against brutal enemies while you uncover the truth about the Red Pharaoh.
A punishing side-scrolling action RPG set in ancient Egypt, where dodging, blocking and the choice between light and heavy gear decide fights against brutal enemies while you uncover the truth about the Red Pharaoh.
In Unworthy you fight through a grim metroidvania world where you have no jump at all, so combat has to be precise. Death is frequent and part of the design, and each attempt takes you a bit further.
2018PC, Nintendo Switch81 % positive
Very positive, 804 reviews on Steam
Lots to discover
Fantasy setting
Interconnected level design
In Unworthy you fight through a grim metroidvania world where you have no jump at all, so combat has to be precise. Death is frequent and part of the design, and each attempt takes you a bit further.
Soulslike games hook you with a simple loop: you die, you learn an enemy's pattern, and eventually you win through your own skill rather than a bigger number. Before picking one, think about how you like to fight and explore. Some focus on reading attacks and dodging, others revolve around precise parrying, and the structure ranges from tightly connected levels to a huge open map. Note that several entries further down this list, such as Counter-Strike 2, Cuphead or Hotline Miami, are difficult games but not Soulslikes in the strict sense.
Elden Ring is the most flexible starting point: its open world lets you leave a boss that is too hard and come back stronger after exploring elsewhere. Dark Souls III offers the series' faster, more polished combat in intricately connected levels. If you want the original, Dark Souls: Remastered is the version to grab, with sharper visuals, smoother framerates and the Artorias DLC included. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is the choice for players who want parrying and posture to decide every duel, while Lies of P brings a similar parry focus to a story-rich Pinocchio tale in a decaying Belle Époque city.
If you prefer 2D, Hollow Knight: Silksong is a fast, acrobatic Metroidvania that shares the genre's demanding spirit and love of exploration.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best soulslike for beginners on PC?
Elden Ring is usually the friendliest entry because its open world lets you explore elsewhere and return to tough bosses later. Dark Souls III is a good next step once you are comfortable with the combat.
Should I play Dark Souls or Dark Souls: Remastered?
On PC, Dark Souls: Remastered is the better pick, since it adds sharper visuals, smoother framerates and includes the Artorias DLC while keeping the same interconnected world of Lordran.
Which soulslike games focus most on parrying?
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice builds its entire combat around parrying and posture, and Lies of P also puts a strong emphasis on parrying. Outside the genre, Cuphead rewards precise parries in its boss fights too.
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