Best Soulslike Games Ranked — From Demon’s Souls to Elden Ring
FromSoftware invented a genre and then kept one-upping themselves. Here’s every major soulslike ranked from great to all-time legendary.
The soulslike genre is one of gaming’s great modern achievements. What started with Demon’s Souls in 2009 has grown into a sprawling family of games defined by precise combat, punishing difficulty, and worlds that reward exploration and patience. Here’s how they all stack up.
The magnum opus. George R.R. Martin’s world-building combined with Miyazaki’s masterful design philosophy produced the most complete game FromSoftware has ever made. The open world works where countless others have failed — every corner of the Lands Between hides something worth finding. Game of the decade, full stop.
ALL-TIME MASTERPIECE
The one that defined the genre for an entire generation. Lordran is one of gaming’s most brilliantly connected worlds — a single, seamless map where every shortcut unlocked feels like a personal triumph. Ornstein and Smough alone earns its legendary status.
GENRE DEFINING
The most stylistically distinct FromSoftware game ever made. Gothic Lovecraftian horror, aggressive trick weapons, and a pace that rewards attacking over defending. Yharnam is haunting in the best possible way. The lack of a PC/PS5 port remains a crime against gaming.
MASTERPIECE, NEEDS A PORT
The most mechanically demanding FromSoftware game, and arguably the most satisfying to master. The posture system and parry-based combat create a rhythm unlike anything else in the genre. When it clicks, few gaming experiences match it. Isshin, the Sword Saint is the greatest boss in the genre.
MECHANICAL PERFECTION
The most polished and boss-dense entry in the Souls trilogy. Individual areas don’t quite hit the highs of DS1’s world design, but the sheer variety and quality of boss encounters is unmatched in the trilogy. A triumphant send-off for the series.
BOSS HIGHLIGHT REEL
The best non-FromSoftware soulslike ever made. A Pinocchio-themed dark fantasy set in a Belle Epoque city ravaged by plague — it sounds bizarre but plays beautifully. The weapon assembly system and guard parry mechanic are genuine innovations. Neowiz earned every bit of the acclaim this received.
BEST SOULSLIKE CLONEThe prototype that started everything. Rougher around the edges than its successors but historically essential. The Bluepoint remake is one of the most stunning visual upgrades ever applied to a game. Play it to understand where it all began.
THE ORIGINALHonorable Mentions
Not everything can crack the top seven, but these titles are worth your time. Hollow Knight borrows the soulslike difficulty philosophy and applies it to a platformer — it is functionally a masterpiece and essential. Nioh 2‘s deep loot system and stance-based combat make it one of the most replayable entries in the genre. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor proved the accessibility-focused soulslike formula works at commercial scale — both Jedi games are excellent. Salt and Sanctuary is the best 2D soulslike and one of the most underrated games of the past decade. If you finish the main seven and want more, start with Hollow Knight.
How Difficult Is This Genre, Really?
The reputation for punishing difficulty is earned but misunderstood. Soulslike games are not unfair — they are unforgiving. Every obstacle has a solution that rewards observation and pattern recognition. The Souls series has very consistent internal logic: every attack telegraphs clearly, every environment is readable, and every piece of lore exists somewhere in the world if you look for it. The difficulty is steep because the games refuse to hold your hand — you are expected to fail, observe, and adapt. The satisfaction of finally defeating a boss that seemed impossible twenty attempts ago is the entire point. Start with Elden Ring if you are new — its open world lets you find your own pace without artificial gatekeeping.
Final Verdict
Start with Elden Ring if you’re new — its open world gives you the freedom to find your own pace. If you want the genre at its most pure and interconnected, Dark Souls 1 is essential. If you’ve played them all and want the most challenging experience, Sekiro will break and rebuild you. There has never been a better time to be a soulslike fan.
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