Nioh 2 takes the Souls-like formula and layers loot obsession on top. Stance switching gives combat a rhythm all its own, while a genuinely deep gear system means every Yokai kill might drop the piece that finally completes your build. It is punishing in the way FromSoftware games are punishing, but with a Diablo-style itemization hook that keeps you grinding long after the story ends.
If you have finished carving through feudal Japan’s demons and want more of that mix of difficult combat, loot chasing, and build customization, these 15 games deliver it from different angles. Some share Team Ninja’s DNA directly, some lean into different Souls-like structures, and some trade samurai steel for other settings entirely. All are worth your time in 2026.
Quick Comparison: Top 5 Picks
| # | Game | Style | Price | Platforms |
| 1 | Nioh Complete Edition | Samurai Souls-like | $49.99 | PC, PlayStation |
| 2 | Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty | Deflection combat RPG | $59.99 | PC, PlayStation, Xbox |
| 3 | Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice | Precision action | $59.99 | PC, PlayStation, Xbox |
| 4 | Elden Ring | Open-world Souls-like | $59.99 | PC, PlayStation, Xbox |
| 5 | Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin | Loot-based action RPG | $59.99 | PC, PlayStation, Xbox |
1. Nioh Complete Edition
Why it’s similar
This is the direct predecessor, sharing the same samurai Souls-like foundation, stance switching, and brutal Yokai battles that Nioh 2 builds on.
What makes it unique
It follows William Adams, a historical figure, through a tighter and slightly more linear campaign, making it a great entry point before jumping into Nioh 2’s expanded systems.
Key features
- Stance-switching combat system
- Deep loot farming
- Historical samurai setting
- Brutal Yokai boss battles
Price: $49.99 Platforms: PC, PlayStation
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
2. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
Why it’s similar
Wo Long comes from the same developer, Team Ninja, and shares Nioh 2’s fast, aggressive combat, wrapped around a deflection-focused spirit gauge system.
What makes it unique
Its Three Kingdoms setting and heavier emphasis on deflection over stance switching give combat a different rhythm, closer to Sekiro’s parry-driven philosophy.
Key features
- Deflection-based spirit gauge combat
- Chinese mythology setting
- RPG loot and leveling systems
- Fast, aggressive boss fights
Price: $59.99 Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
3. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Why it’s similar
Sekiro shares Nioh 2’s demand for precision and reaction-based gameplay, punishing hesitation while rewarding players who learn enemy attack patterns.
What makes it unique
It drops loot and stat-building entirely in favor of pure mechanical mastery, built around a single character and a posture-breaking parry system.
Key features
- Precision sword combat
- Posture-breaking parry system
- Single-character mastery focus
- Punishing, reaction-based bosses
Price: $59.99 Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
4. Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin
Why it’s similar
Stranger of Paradise shares Nioh 2’s Team Ninja action RPG systems, with job classes and loot grinding wrapped around fast, aggressive combat.
What makes it unique
Its Final Fantasy setting and job-switching system let you swap combat styles on the fly, giving build variety a different flavor than Nioh 2’s stance system.
Key features
- Job class combat system
- Deep loot grinding
- Final Fantasy universe setting
- Fast, aggressive action combat
Price: $59.99 Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
5. Elden Ring
Why it’s similar
Elden Ring shares Nioh 2’s challenging action RPG combat and build freedom, letting you shape a character around weapons, magic, and playstyle preferences.
What makes it unique
Its vast open world lets you explore and tackle bosses in whatever order you choose, trading Nioh 2’s mission-based structure for total freedom of approach.
Key features
- Vast open-world exploration
- Deep build and weapon variety
- Punishing, pattern-based bosses
- Rich, cryptic lore
Price: $59.99 Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
6. Dark Souls III
Why it’s similar
Dark Souls III shares Nioh 2’s difficult combat and memorable bosses, rewarding players who learn enemy patterns and master a build suited to their playstyle.
What makes it unique
Its interconnected world design and deep lore reward exploration and careful attention, with a wide weapon and magic variety supporting many different builds.
Key features
- Deep RPG build customization
- Punishing, memorable boss fights
- Interconnected world design
- Wide weapon and magic variety
Price: $59.99 Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
7. Bloodborne
Why it’s similar
Bloodborne shares Nioh 2’s aggressive Souls-like combat, rewarding fast movement and offense over cautious, defensive play.
What makes it unique
Its Gothic horror atmosphere and health-regain mechanic push players to attack rather than retreat, with trick weapons that transform mid-combat for added versatility.
Key features
- Aggressive, health-regain combat system
- Gothic horror atmosphere
- Transforming trick weapons
- Intense, fast-paced boss fights
Price: $19.99 Platforms: PlayStation
Where to Buy
Available on the PlayStation Store.
8. Lies of P
Why it’s similar
Lies of P shares Nioh 2’s Dark Souls-like structure and demanding boss battles, with precise combat and weapon customization driving progression.
What makes it unique
Its dark Pinocchio-inspired setting and weapon assembly system let you mix and match blades and handles, creating unique combinations beyond typical stance switching.
Key features
- Perfect guard timing system
- Weapon assembly customization
- Dark, gothic fairy tale setting
- Challenging boss encounters
Price: $59.99 Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
9. Rise of the Ronin
Why it’s similar
Rise of the Ronin comes from Team Ninja and shares Nioh 2’s samurai action RPG roots, with historical Japan providing the backdrop for fast melee combat.
What makes it unique
Its open-world structure and multiple-ending branching narrative give it a scale and player choice that Nioh 2’s mission-based design doesn’t attempt.
Key features
- Open-world historical Japan
- Multiple-ending branching story
- Fast melee combat with weapon variety
- Character customization
Price: $39.99 Platforms: PC, PlayStation
Where to Buy
Available on Steam.
10. Ninja Gaiden Master Collection
Why it’s similar
Ninja Gaiden Master Collection shares Nioh 2’s classic Team Ninja action gameplay, demanding fast reactions and combo mastery against relentless enemies.
What makes it unique
It bundles three notoriously difficult classic action games together, predating and clearly influencing the modern Souls-like genre Nioh 2 belongs to.
Key features
- Three classic games in one collection
- Fast, combo-heavy ninja combat
- Notoriously high difficulty
- Legendary action game pedigree
Price: $39.99 Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Steam.
11. Monster Hunter Wilds
Why it’s similar
Monster Hunter Wilds shares Nioh 2’s weapon mastery and boss-focused gameplay, rewarding players who learn enemy patterns and craft gear from what they hunt.
What makes it unique
Its cooperative hunting structure and enormous variety of weapon types each demand a completely different playstyle, built around gathering materials rather than random loot drops.
Key features
- Deep, weighty monster-hunting combat
- Enormous weapon type variety
- Gear crafted from hunted monsters
- Cooperative hunts
Price: $69.99 Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
12. Code Vein
Why it’s similar
Code Vein shares Nioh 2’s anime-style Souls-like structure, with builds, companion characters, and challenging enemies driving its post-apocalyptic story.
What makes it unique
Its companion AI system lets you bring a partner into every fight, softening the genre’s usual isolation while still delivering demanding boss encounters.
Key features
- Anime-style Souls-like combat
- AI companion system
- Deep build customization
- Post-apocalyptic vampire setting
Price: $39.99 Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
13. The Surge 2
Why it’s similar
The Surge 2 shares Nioh 2’s loot-driven Souls-like combat, with a targeting system built around cutting off specific enemy body parts for gear.
What makes it unique
Its sci-fi setting and limb-targeting combat system let you directly choose which equipment to farm from enemies, adding tactical precision to the usual grind.
Key features
- Sci-fi Souls-like combat system
- Limb-targeting loot system
- Equipment customization
- Challenging robotic enemies
Price: $29.99 Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Where to Buy
Available on Steam.
14. Black Myth: Wukong
Why it’s similar
Black Myth: Wukong shares Nioh 2’s mythology-inspired action combat, with difficult bosses that demand pattern recognition and skill-based fighting.
What makes it unique
Its Chinese mythology setting and transformation abilities let you shift into different forms mid-fight, adding tactical depth beyond Nioh 2’s stance system.
Key features
- Mythology-inspired action combat
- Transformation-based abilities
- Difficult, pattern-based bosses
- Stunning visual presentation
Price: $59.99 Platforms: PC, PlayStation
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
15. Devil May Cry 5
Why it’s similar
Devil May Cry 5 shares Nioh 2’s deep action combat systems, rewarding players who master combos and weapon switching for maximum efficiency.
What makes it unique
Its stylish scoring system rewards flashy, varied combat over simple survival, with multiple playable characters each offering a distinct fighting style.
Key features
- Deep combo-based action combat
- Stylish scoring system
- Multiple playable characters
- Weapon mastery and switching
Price: $29.99 Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
Full Comparison Table
| # | Game | Style | Price | Platforms |
| 1 | Nioh Complete Edition | Samurai Souls-like | $49.99 | PC, PlayStation |
| 2 | Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty | Deflection combat RPG | $59.99 | PC, PlayStation, Xbox |
| 3 | Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice | Precision action | $59.99 | PC, PlayStation, Xbox |
| 4 | Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin | Loot-based action RPG | $59.99 | PC, PlayStation, Xbox |
| 5 | Elden Ring | Open-world Souls-like | $59.99 | PC, PlayStation, Xbox |
| 6 | Dark Souls III | Souls-like RPG | $59.99 | PC, PlayStation, Xbox |
| 7 | Bloodborne | Gothic action RPG | $19.99 | PlayStation |
| 8 | Lies of P | Precision Souls-like | $59.99 | PC, PlayStation, Xbox |
| 9 | Rise of the Ronin | Open-world action RPG | $39.99 | PC, PlayStation |
| 10 | Ninja Gaiden Master Collection | Classic ninja action | $39.99 | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
| 11 | Monster Hunter Wilds | Monster hunting | $69.99 | PC, PlayStation, Xbox |
| 12 | Code Vein | Anime Souls-like | $39.99 | PC, PlayStation, Xbox |
| 13 | The Surge 2 | Sci-fi Souls-like | $29.99 | PC, PlayStation, Xbox |
| 14 | Black Myth: Wukong | Mythological action RPG | $59.99 | PC, PlayStation |
| 15 | Devil May Cry 5 | Stylish action | $29.99 | PC, PlayStation, Xbox |
Conclusion
If it was the samurai action and loot chasing that hooked you, start with the original Nioh, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, and Rise of the Ronin. They share Team Ninja’s exact brand of difficult, gear-driven combat.
If the difficulty and boss mastery mattered most, Elden Ring, Dark Souls III, and Sekiro deliver that same punishing FromSoftware pedigree. And if you want the loot grind with a different flavor, Code Vein and The Surge 2 bring their own spins on Souls-like itemization. Any of these 15 will keep your build-crafting going well into 2026.
Read More Like This!
15 Games Like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Dark Souls You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Dark Souls 3 You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Elden Ring You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Bloodborne You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Lies of P You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Elden Ring Nightreign You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Yakuza 0 You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Warframe You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Destiny 2 You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Black Myth: Wukong You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Starfield You Need to Play in 2026
15 Games Like Persona 3 Reload You Need to Play in 2026