One of the most influential and loved subgenres of gaming during the last decade has been the Soulslike. No one likes a difficult game, certainly having plenty of lore and punishing combat mechanics is function of these games and they are known for that, and boy do people love them because they provide such intense, enjoyable gameplay. Its first step was to establish itself from software’s Dark Souls series and since then, many have emerged, taking inspiration, sometimes with their own twist. But in this article, we’ll rank some of the best Soulslike games of all time according to how fun and engaging their gameplay mechanics were, how deep their narrative is, and how much they influenced the genre.
1. Dark Souls Series
Dark Souls is at the top of any Soulslike list.
Influential Legacy: Modern Soulslike games are in large part a result of the original Dark Souls. It was a high standard for the genre with it’s vaguerly cryptic story telling over a larger interconnected world with challenging yet rewarding combat.
Atmosphere and Lore: A world rich in mystery and lore, full of things to discover and create of imagination, a world that the wildly imaginative From Software build in a slightly dense and dense atmosphere, where so much could mean so much. Throughout its interconnected world design, the series has influenced hundreds of games that follow from the same philosophy of hidden secrets and optional areas.
Legacy: Blend bloody difficult combat and levels that are bloody difficult to get around, all while tossing layer on layer of bloody tough difficulty upon you… these are the foundations for what we now accept as good Soulslike games.
2. Bloodborne
Bloodborne is the most critically acclaimed entry in Soulslike genre.
Unique Setting: Bloodborne is set in a gothic, Victorian inspired world replete with Lovecraftian horrors, but throws a much faster combat system into play to keep the Soulslike experience forward moving.
Aggressive Combat: The game’s combat takes a more aggressive (but safer) playstyle — avoiding, parrying, and deking are all encouraged, and rewarded, by attackers who take the time to position themselves effectively.
Atmospheric Storytelling: Bloodborne has some of the scariest and spaghettiest of the spaghettiest of storytelling and instead of chatterboxes, it uses obscure notes and disturbing visuals to weave a dark narrative.
Critical Success: This further insured From Software success in mastering the genre.
3. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Sekiro: Though Shadows Die Twice turned its back on the Soulslike formula, it captured the best of what makes these games work in the first place.
Samurai-Inspired Combat: There are lots of different games that type, and every one of them relies on something different, but the uniqueness of Sekiro is this, the combat is more refined and more skill based, relying on parries and timing and such.
No Multiplayer: What set Sekiro apart from traditional Soulslike games is that it’s a single player game, co-op or PvP was not present, allowing From Software to focus their time to deliver a simple story and fighting system.
Stealth and Exploration: The stealth mechanics work their way into the game so players are never locked into having to confront opponents in the only way they can.
Narrative-Driven: Sekiro’s story gives a Soulslike formula something new: a strong narrative, all built around Samurai lore.
4. Demon’s Souls (Remake)
Revitalizing the original PS3 classic for a new audience, the remake of The Demon’s Souls, developed by Bluepoint Games and published by Sony, was a work from this studio who has done the same with several other mainline PlayStation franchises.
Remake Excellence: Running as a remake, fresh visuals, overhauled gameplay mechanics and an updated world come to the modern console generation.
Faithful Yet Enhanced: It is faithful to the original, but improves level design, combat, and exploration, and all for a much more polished experience.
World Design: Dense, mysterious levels stuffed with secrets and powerful enemies: that’s still the case for Demon’s Souls.
Nostalgia and Newcomers: For fans that remember the original and newcomers coming into the Soulslike genre for the first time, it’s the remake.
Conclusion
Though the Soulslike genre has come a long way since its first foray onto the PlayStation 3, it has become something more, something interesting and far from static. We even have Dark Souls and Bloodborne and newer ones like Sekiro and Hollow Knight which each game has left a huge mark in the genre. If you’re looking for the fastest combat system, the most lore heavy world with haunting music and rearranged gameplay formula, you’ll find the best of the best Soulslikes here. These games may be all about intense, rewarding gameplay if you are a fan.