Updated by Mark Samut on July 1, 2026: We've updated this article with a few more games: Lords of the Fallen and Ashen.
The Soulslike genre has evolved significantly since its creation over a decade ago, but one thing that has always been closely associated with it is difficulty. Bosses that take hours to clear, brutal enemies that unleash an array of attacks around every corner, and a world with more out there for the player to achieve than the enemies in it—these are all staples. There's no margin for error, and the challenge can often feel a bit unfair.
Thankfully, there are still plenty of Soulslikes out there that capture the satisfying gameplay and expert world-building without forcing the player to strain every muscle in their body to clear a single boss. It's great when a game is aware of its own challenge, and when a developer turns the dial down a little, it can make the game a lot more fun.
Click on a game with a high OpenCritic rating.
10
Lords of the Fallen is Dark Souls on Easy Mode… or Easy Mode
The best Soulslike game for beginners
of 2023 Lords of the Fallen A positive but not glowing reputation, but it deserves a playthrough not only for fans of Soulslike but action RPGs in general. Through a series of updates, Hexworks fine-tuned and rebalanced the campaign, resulting in a more consistent experience that's also easier. The launch version was already arguably too easy, so this change wasn't really necessary.
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These great Soulslike games offer a variety of build options and approaches, allowing players to play their own way.
When playing on default, LOTF Plays like a traditional but forgiving Spirits, with an automatic safety net: if you die in a certain situation you automatically revive. Casual Enemies isn't too easy by the genre's standards, though LOTFThe bosses don't really offer much of a challenge. Don't get me wrong, they're still visually impressive and fun, but most people won't need more than a few tries to conquer them all.
Veteran mode offers a tighter base experience, and you can randomize enemies or increase crowd density.
9
Steelrising takes you on a spirited journey through the French Revolution
Aggressive automatons that don't push boundaries
Stylizing
9/10
- issued
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September 8, 2022
Stylizing is an interesting title that takes the world of the French Revolution and fuses it with a mechanical nightmare that is as terrifying as it is terrifying. The world is beautiful, and the gameplay follows suit, taking elements from the Soulslike genre but keeping things organized by keeping the enemy patterns simple and easy to read.
There is also an assist mode that lets players play with the amount of damage and stamina consumption, and makes them immortal. Everything feels more linear and less overwhelming. The enemy designs are still satisfying to fight, but don't make the player feel out of their depth, even at first.
8
Ashen is like the easiest open-world souls
Bring a friend, human or AI
Ashen
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December 7, 2018
Alden Ring It wasn't the first Soulslike open-world game, though it certainly ranks as the hardest. After a year or two of punching, Ashen It was also one of the first entries in the genre to try to provide a more accessible experience, and it succeeded. The “ease” comes from a few elements: cooperative execution, a grading system, and a less intense environment.
Instead of going through the normal progression system, Ashen Levels up to NPC quests, while you get really strong by upgrading your gear. As you explore more of the world, you build a hub area that acts as a small safe zone, reflecting the game's co-operative implementation. Even if you don't bring a friend along, you can go on missions with AI companions, lowering the entry bar even further.
7
Remnant 2 defines Soulslike co-op shooters
Crispy gunplay with a decent challenge
Remainder 2 Builds on the DNA of the original, creating a very well-rounded experience that enables immersive co-op battles against terrifying enemies. Bringing the Soulslike genre into a more shooter-oriented game is a nice change, and the enemies still hold up well while still allowing for more counterplay and strategy.
Customization is what really sets the game apart, letting players swap out their weapons and abilities on the fly and upgrade however they choose. More importantly, the ability to play with groups of other players means that if a fight is proving to be more of a challenge than expected, the extra firepower ensures that any boss can go down without too much trouble.
6
Thymesia offers a brief challenge
Short, sweet, and never too much
A short term entry that still shows plenty, Thymesia is a great Soulslike that brings face-to-face action of the games blood borne But in times of difficulty things are more restrained. A key feature is the ability to use enemy weapons against them through powerful abilities that transform the battle in every encounter.
21 of the toughest Souls-like RPGs, ranked by difficulty
Not all Soulslikes in the market can offer the same compelling experience as Dark Souls. Only a few RPGs pull from Soft's rewarding gameplay loop.
When a boss appears, attack patterns are fairly short and simple, meaning it's possible to play as fast or as slowly as they feel comfortable and still have the same amount of success. Each boss's HP pools are never too high, and they always drop after a satisfying, simple, yet rewarding battle.
5
Salt and Sanctuary captures the Dark Souls magic in 2D
Simple gameplay with a unique art style
Salt and Sanctuary A solid entry in the genre, made with a lot of passion by two talented people. The level design clearly pays homage to the early ones Dark spirits Games. This encourages players to venture out into the world without the safety net of fast-traveling to the hub.
Combat is simple but fun. Each new enemy offers a new challenge to overcome, and they all feel comfortable in their design. It is easy to get lost in the world, because there is so much hidden knowledge and information. For fans of the Soulslike genre, there are still enough challenges to feel engaged.
4
Myrtle Shell is accessible thanks to pre-defined loadouts
Great for Soulslike fans and newcomers to the genre
mortal shell It's a compact yet immersive Soulslike game that features some unique mechanics that make it feel fresh from the crowd. Players can use the Harden ability to absorb damage and follow up with their own attacks, and the class system has been replaced by different shells that each have their own characteristics and play styles.
The combat is intense and extremely satisfying, with every swing of the sword giving a real sense of power. Enemies are fairly standard and never feel overwhelming in their attacks or numbers, allowing players to take each battle at their own pace and still progress through the story without too much challenge.
3
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Mixed force powers with satisfying melee combat
The JD The games have always taken a slightly different path from other games in the genre, but they still retain a lot of the gameplay feel that makes Soulslikes fun. With swordplay that rewards precision and timing, difficulty settings that offer meaningful variations, and battles that feed into the fantasy of being a force user, survived A great way to get into the genre without feeling out of player depth.
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These highly accessible Soul favorites still offer a challenge, though they do so without punishing players as harshly as some of their peers.
Each upgrade changes how the player interacts with enemies. There are many options in terms of customization and combat, giving the player all the power without compromising in any way. Puzzles are also a big part of the world. Each area presents a unique set of challenges based on the enemies found there and the environmental hazards they face.
2
Blasphemous 2 drops you into a nightmare world without nightmare difficulty
Focuses more on the magnificent world than the unfair difficulty
Metroidvanias have always shared some elements with Soulslike games, and Condemnation 2 One of the best in both. The setting is beautiful, drawing inspiration from Renaissance Italian architecture and religious imagery to create a universe that is both brutal and stunning.
The brutality extends to the combat, as players dash and slash across the screen with a selection of weapons that each playthrough has its own style to match the gameplay. The game isn't a cakewalk by any means, but the difficulty is a pretty steady curve. Even when it reaches its peak, it is still manageable for less experienced players.
1
Another crab treasure is tougher than it looks, but still one of the easiest spirits
An undersea trip unlike any other
Another crab treasure It was a surprising addition to the genre, bringing so much charm and humor that was not seen anywhere else. Playing as the adorable crab, Krill, players float across the ocean floor in search of their stolen shell, encountering a host of other crustaceans and sea-dwelling critters that set out to hunt them down.
Combat combines parrying foundations with more forgiving attack windows, meaning players can get all the satisfaction they get from more challenging titles without pulling their hair out. With all the side content available, it's very easy to become borderline overpowered, turning even the toughest fights into pushovers that die in seconds.
Soulslike games with the steepest learning curve, ranked
Soulslike games are famous for their difficulty, but these titles take it to the extreme.
