Dark souls has become a cultural phenomenon and spawned countless other Soulslikes that have attempted to replicate even a fraction of the atmosphere, intensity, and overall gameplay feel of the FromSoftware game that started it all. The original game ushered in a new wave of interest in dark fantasy worlds and challenging combat, forcing players to learn enemy types and attack combos, all in an unforgiving world that many would never be able to conquer.
While big-budget titles have managed to make a name for themselves in the genre space, there are still plenty of great ones indie games that feel like Dark souls in more ways than just being another soulmate. Some mimic the eerie atmosphere of Lodran, while others focus more on exploration, transporting players into a punishing environment where one wrong move can undo all their hard-earned progress.
Thymesia
Stylish attacks in a cruel world
Thymesia feels like a love letter to the early soul-like days, where players are thrown into a bleak, plague-ridden world in search of their memories. The main gameplay mechanics revolve around grabbing weapons from enemies and bosses and using them to deal devastating blows and perform interesting combos, giving the game a unique flow where players weave in attacks from a variety of weapons.
Where the game feels closest Dark souls is in the environment itself, as each location feels gritty and sometimes uncannily similar to iconic locations from the first game. Wooden structures similar to Blighttown, mossy stone bricks reminiscent of the Undead Burg; the game pays tribute to the series that started the Soulslike revolution, only with slightly flashier battles.
Mortal Shell
Changing bodies one by one
Mortal Shell is one of the most famous indie Soulslikes out there, and for good reason. Players step into a misty forest surrounded by enemies of all kinds and must slowly fight their way through them using Shells, which are actually new classes and body types, each with their own set of stats, attacks, weapons, and lore. The shell mechanic is very cool, as it gives players an extra tool to use in battle while also changing the way progression works, switching from individual weapon upgrades to entire sets of armor.
Visually, the game could very well be mistaken for one Dark souls game, as the focus is largely on knights and terrifying enemies, all struggling to survive in a decaying world. Fans of Dark souls game formula will likely enjoy Mortal Shell much, as it has a much slower pace that is more interested in calculated rolls and careful blocks than quick parries, as can be seen in post-Sekiro era of the genre.
Livid
The first true soul-like in the open world
Livid
- Released
-
December 7, 2018
Livid brings the Soulslike formula to an expansive open world, removing linear and claustrophobic paths and instead letting players explore every corner of its mysterious world. The standout feature is the multiplayer aspect, as players can encounter others on their journey, choosing to either aid them in their quest or fight them to the death, giving the game a more communal feel that sets it apart in the genre.
The inspiration is carried directly on the game sleeve, as the game, despite the mentioned differences, remains faithful to the Souls battle formula for challenging, stamina-based combat. Additionally, the games share a similar approach to exploration, as in both cases players embark on a monumental journey without help or guidance. Instead, they must persevere through all the challenges that come their way or face the ultimate consequence.
Salt And Sanctuary
Metroidvania Exploration meets soul-like brutality
Salt and sanctuary brings the intensity of a Soulslike to a 2D world, with as much darkness and death as any other game in the genre. Players have a huge world to explore, encompassing a variety of environments and themes, including forests and castles, all staples of classic dark fantasy settings.
The way the world returns to itself and connects is incredibly impressive, and it feels very reminiscent of how Dark souls makes players feel lost, but always brings them back to familiar territory eventually. This interlinking extends all the way to the end of the game, constantly giving players a new path to choose and encouraging a natural kind of exploration that thrives on curiosity rather than clear direction.
Elder souls
Interconnected areas and satisfying exploration
Elder souls is a pixelated Soulslike that sends players into a world full of destruction caused by the Old Gods. Players begin their journey with nothing but their trusty blade, but quickly learn new skills and become stronger, a necessity given the sheer number of bosses they'll face along the way, each with their own unique attacks, appearances, and locations in the world.
Where the game feels closest Dark souls is how its world is built as an atmospheric journey rather than mere filler. Since players spend most of their gameplay exploring areas and solving puzzles to reach the next section, it's crucial that the actual environment is compelling enough to make them want to keep exploring. Elder souls manages to achieve this by making each setting feel completely different and by ensuring that each boss battle offers something challenging and unique from the last.
Nostalgain's last hero
A satirical approach to an otherwise serious genre
The Last Hero of Nostalgaia is an entertaining story that takes the basic essence of a Soulslike and fuses it with comedy and self-awareness. The world itself is collapsing back into a pixelated state, and it's the player's job to traverse the environment, fight through hordes of enemies and put an end to the graphical regression, all while being taunted by a cynical narrator who absolutely does not want them to succeed.
Aside from the silly mechanics and more comedic tone, the game actually feels very similar to the classic Dark souls experience. The player is a fearless knight, and their mission is by no means easy, but with enough skill and courage, they can take down any threat in the world, no matter how overwhelming the odds may be or how difficult some locations in the game are to get through.
Bleak Faith: The Forsaken
As close to the original as it gets
Bleak Faith: The Forsaken is a pretty awesome Soulslike that takes a lot of ideas from other games and brings them together for what is both a brutally difficult and obscenely impressive game from a first-time developer. The world itself is on the brink of collapse, and players must scale massive structures and dig deep into the bowels of the city to defeat the darkness that plagues the world from within.
Despite being an indie title, Gloomy faith has just as much polish as any other triple-A Soulslike, and much of the experience runs directly parallel to the original Dark souls. Progress is slow and purposeful. Players will find themselves making big loops in the world, unlocking paths to previously inaccessible areas, and generally feeling like they're getting stronger at the pace of their actual exploration.
Hollow Knight
Share the same feeling when you break new ground
Hollow Knight captivated the world upon release with its distinctive visual style and impressive gameplay that made the game feel more like a big-budget release than a small developer's passion project. The entire game takes place in an interconnected cave full of bugs and various other dangers for players to overcome, mixing the progression loops of Metroidvania with the combat and difficulty of a Soulslike.
Many people were quick to draw comparisons between the game and Dark soulsas both have the unique ability to draw players into their world and inspire them to explore, without ever telling them where to go. This organic exploration makes every moment feel like a real adventure, and the fact that the story is also completely wrapped up in small snippets of dialogue and small revelations forces players to pay close attention to every word spoken in order to fully appreciate the masterfully designed world around them.
