Dark Souls 3 perfected the formula. The most refined combat in the original trilogy, brutal bosses like Pontiff Sulyvahn and Slave Knight Gael, and a world that condenses everything FromSoftware learned from Demon’s Souls onward. If you’ve beaten the Ashes of Ariandel and Ringed City DLCs and want more games that hit the same notes, you’re in the right place.
This list cuts straight to 15 alternatives that genuinely deliver Souls-like combat, dark atmospheric exploration, or brutal boss design. No filler picks, no “kind of similar” stretches.
Quick Comparison: Top 5 Picks
| # | Game | Difficulty | Price | Platforms |
| 1 | Elden Ring | Hard | $59.99 | PC, PS, Xbox |
| 2 | Bloodborne | Hard | $19.99 | PS4 |
| 3 | Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice | Very Hard | $59.99 | PC, PS, Xbox |
| 4 | Demon’s Souls Remake | Hard | $69.99 | PS5 |
| 5 | Lies of P | Hard | $59.99 | PC, PS, Xbox |
1. Elden Ring
Why it’s similar
Same FromSoftware combat design with challenging bosses and exploration freedom. The evolution of Dark Souls into an open world.
What makes it unique
Massive Lands Between open world replaces traditional Souls level design. Shadow of the Erdtree DLC added 30+ hours of additional content.
Key features
- Lands Between open world
- Soulslike combat depth
- Shadow of the Erdtree DLC
- Multiple endings
Price: $59.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
2. Bloodborne
Why it’s similar
Fast-paced Souls combat with dark gothic atmosphere and aggressive gameplay. The fastest-paced FromSoftware entry.
What makes it unique
Rally system rewards aggressive play by letting you regain lost HP through counter-attacks. Trick weapons transform mid-combo for adaptive moveset variety.
Key features
- Rally HP recovery system
- Trick weapon transformations
- Yharnam Victorian setting
- The Old Hunters DLC
Price: $19.99 Platforms: PS4
Where to Buy
Available on PlayStation Store.
3. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Why it’s similar
Precision-focused combat and parry systems with skill-heavy boss encounters. Drops Souls customization for pure mastery.
What makes it unique
Posture system breaks enemy guard through aggressive parrying. Resurrection mechanic gives you one free revive per life.
Key features
- Posture-breaking parry combat
- One-time resurrection
- Sengoku Japan setting
- Prosthetic tool variety
Price: $59.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
4. Demon’s Souls Remake
Why it’s similar
Classic Souls structure and difficulty with atmospheric world design. The game that started everything, rebuilt for modern hardware.
What makes it unique
2020 PS5 launch remake by Bluepoint Games. World Tendency system creates branching alternate paths in each archstone.
Key features
- Bluepoint visual remake
- World Tendency system
- 5 archstone realms
- PS5 launch title
Price: $69.99 Platforms: PS5
Where to Buy
Available on PlayStation Store.
5. Lies of P
Why it’s similar
Tight Souls-like combat and progression with dark fantasy atmosphere. Sekiro-style perfect guards add precision layer.
What makes it unique
Belle Epoque Paris setting reimagines Pinocchio as steampunk horror. Weapon assembly system lets you mix any blade with any handle.
Key features
- Weapon assembly system
- Lie-or-truth narrative choices
- Belle Epoque setting
- Perfect guard mechanic
Price: $59.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
6. Nioh 2
Why it’s similar
Fast action combat with build depth, difficult enemy encounters, and loot systems. Mastery-driven gameplay rewards Souls-trained reflexes.
What makes it unique
Burst Counter mechanic transforms certain enemy attacks into massive parry opportunities. Yokai form lets you transform into demons mid-combat.
Key features
- Burst Counter parry system
- Yokai form transformations
- 9 weapon types
- 3 expansion DLCs
Price: $49.99 (Complete Edition) Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
7. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
Why it’s similar
Parry-focused combat mechanics with mythological dark fantasy setting. Team Ninja’s spin on Souls combat.
What makes it unique
Spirit system mechanically encourages aggressive play through counter-attacks. Chinese Three Kingdoms setting with supernatural twists.
Key features
- Spirit aggression system
- Chinese Three Kingdoms setting
- Co-op with AI partners
- Five weapon classes
Price: $59.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
8. Mortal Shell
Why it’s similar
Methodical Souls combat with atmospheric world and progression systems. Compact campaign perfect for focused Souls fans.
What makes it unique
Harden mechanic turns your character to stone, blocking incoming damage. Shell system lets you possess different bodies with unique playstyles.
Key features
- Harden defense mechanic
- Four possessable Shells
- Compact 15-hour campaign
- Free Sister of Sin DLC
Price: $29.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
9. Lords of the Fallen
Why it’s similar
Modern Souls-style gameplay with dual-world exploration systems. The 2023 reboot delivers Dark Souls 3-tier polish.
What makes it unique
Umbral and Axiom dual-world system lets you traverse the same map across two dimensions. Soulflay lamp pulls enemies from one plane to another.
Key features
- Dual-world traversal
- Soulflay lamp system
- 9 starting classes
- Online co-op
Price: $59.99 Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
10. Code Vein
Why it’s similar
Anime-inspired Souls gameplay with companion mechanics and builds. Post-apocalyptic vampire setting offers tonal contrast.
What makes it unique
Blood Code class system lets you swap entire builds instantly. AI companions accompany you throughout the campaign for accessible co-op feel.
Key features
- Blood Code class swapping
- AI companion partners
- Anime-style character creator
- Post-apocalyptic vampire setting
Price: $59.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
11. Salt and Sanctuary
Why it’s similar
2D Souls-like structure with challenging combat and exploration. Side-scrolling perspective preserves Souls progression depth.
What makes it unique
Side-scrolling 2D perspective adds platforming layer absent from most Souls-likes. Salt and Sacrifice sequel adds more content if you finish the original.
Key features
- 2D Souls-like perspective
- 8 classes
- Co-op and PvP modes
- Brand creed system
Price: $17.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
12. Remnant 2
Why it’s similar
Souls-inspired difficulty with shooting mechanics. Boss fights and co-op systems mirror Souls-style cooperative play.
What makes it unique
Procedurally generated worlds mean every co-op playthrough offers different bosses, items, and paths. Archetype system creates deep build variety.
Key features
- 3-player co-op
- Procedural world generation
- Archetype-based builds
- Soulslike combat depth
Price: $49.99 Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
13. Thymesia
Why it’s similar
Fast combat with heavy parry focus and dark plague-inspired setting. Shorter campaign for focused Souls fans.
What makes it unique
Plague Weapon system steals enemy abilities and uses them against bosses. Shorter campaign (10-15 hours) ideal for one-weekend playthroughs.
Key features
- Plague Weapon stealing
- Plague-themed setting
- Short focused campaign
- $30 entry price
Price: $29.99 Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
14. Blasphemous
Why it’s similar
Difficult combat and dark atmosphere with exploration-focused progression. Spanish folklore-inspired horror tone matches Dark Souls grimdark.
What makes it unique
Pixel art Metroidvania with religious horror themes. Heavy choice consequences and multiple endings reward repeated playthroughs.
Key features
- Pixel art Metroidvania
- Religious horror themes
- 3 endings
- Free DLC content
Price: $24.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
15. Ashen
Why it’s similar
Minimalist Souls-style exploration with co-op systems and atmospheric world. Faceless characters create universal player relatability.
What makes it unique
Drop-in co-op replaces NPC companions when other players join. Hand-painted art style contrasts the genre’s typical dark realism.
Key features
- Hand-painted art style
- Drop-in co-op partners
- Faceless character design
- Town building progression
Price: $39.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
Full Comparison Table
| # | Game | Difficulty | Price | Platforms |
| 1 | Elden Ring | Hard | $59.99 | PC, PS, Xbox |
| 2 | Bloodborne | Hard | $19.99 | PS4 |
| 3 | Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice | Very Hard | $59.99 | PC, PS, Xbox |
| 4 | Demon’s Souls Remake | Hard | $69.99 | PS5 |
| 5 | Lies of P | Hard | $59.99 | PC, PS, Xbox |
| 6 | Nioh 2 | Hard | $49.99 | PC, PS, Xbox |
| 7 | Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty | Medium | $59.99 | PC, PS, Xbox |
| 8 | Mortal Shell | Medium | $29.99 | PC, PS, Xbox |
| 9 | Lords of the Fallen | Hard | $59.99 | PC, PS5, Xbox |
| 10 | Code Vein | Medium | $59.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox One |
| 11 | Salt and Sanctuary | Medium | $17.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 12 | Remnant 2 | Medium | $49.99 | PC, PS5, Xbox |
| 13 | Thymesia | Medium | $29.99 | PC, PS5, Xbox, Switch |
| 14 | Blasphemous | Medium | $24.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 15 | Ashen | Medium | $39.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox, Switch |
Conclusion
Dark Souls 3 fans have plenty of directions depending on what hooked them. Want more FromSoftware? Elden Ring, Bloodborne, Sekiro, and Demon’s Souls Remake are the obvious starting points. Craving modern Souls-likes? Lies of P, Lords of the Fallen, and Nioh 2 deliver fresh takes on the formula. Hungry for accessible alternatives? Code Vein, Ashen, and Mortal Shell offer Souls-style gameplay with shorter time commitments.
The Souls-like genre has never been healthier. Pick one based on whether you want FromSoftware classics, modern parry precision, or atmospheric exploration. Every game on this list earned its spot through real Souls-like credentials, not just a “hard game” tag.
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