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.
2023PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified−60 %69.99 € 27.99 € 5 days left49 % positive
Loot and gear
Fast pace
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 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 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.
2023PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified−60 %69.99 € 27.99 € 5 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 € 5 days left49 % positive
Mixed, 20,993 reviews on Steam
Loot and gear
Fast pace
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 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
Boss fights as highlights
Lavish presentation
Distinctive, stylised art style
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 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
Interconnected level design
Build variety
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.
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.
2018PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck verified−50 %19.99 € 9.99 € until tomorrow81 % positive
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 € until tomorrow81 % positive
Very positive, 4,280 reviews on Steam
Pixel art
Strong character progression
Boss fights as highlights
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, 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 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
Boss fights as highlights
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 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
Lore and world history
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 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
Boss fights as highlights
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 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.
2020PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck playable−80 %33.99 € 6.79 € 4 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 € 4 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 € 6 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 € 6 days left74 % positive
Mostly positive, 1,939 reviews on Steam
Pixel art
Dark, serious atmosphere
Fantasy setting
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.
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.
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 deal: the challenge is steep, but the rules are consistent, so every defeat teaches you something and every win feels earned. On Switch, the clearest example on this list is Dark Souls: Remastered, the genre-defining original with its interconnected world of Lordran, deliberate combat and lore pieced together from item descriptions. The remaster also includes the Artorias DLC. Note that this list goes beyond strict Soulslikes to include other punishing, skill-driven games, so it helps to know what kind of challenge you want.
If you prefer 2D, Hollow Knight carries the same spirit into a hand-drawn Metroidvania set in a ruined insect kingdom full of secrets. Hollow Knight: Silksong is its faster, more acrobatic and even more demanding sequel, so it makes sense to start with the first game. Dead Cells suits shorter sessions: its roguelite runs vary every time, and permanent unlocks keep you progressing even when you die. For pure boss fights, Cuphead offers precise dodging and parrying in a 1930s cartoon style, plus local co-op.
When choosing, think about pace and structure. Dark Souls is slow and methodical, Dead Cells is fast and run-based, and the Hollow Knight games reward long exploration. Also check whether you want a solo experience or something you can share. Cuphead is the only real Soulslike-style pick here with local co-op.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dark Souls available on Nintendo Switch?
Yes. Dark Souls: Remastered is on Switch and includes sharper visuals, smoother framerates and the Artorias DLC alongside the original game.
What is a good soulslike for beginners on Switch?
Hollow Knight is a good entry point thanks to its 2D perspective and steady sense of exploration. Dead Cells also works well, because permanent unlocks make each failed run still feel like progress.
Are there co-op soulslike-style games on Switch?
Cuphead is the best choice from this list, with demanding boss fights built around parrying and dodging that you can play in local co-op. Dark Souls: Remastered and Hollow Knight are best approached as solo experiences.
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