Games like Dark Souls 3: 8 brutal soulslikes to play next

The best game like Dark Souls 3 is Bloodborne, followed closely by Elden Ring and Sekiro, all from FromSoftware. If you want to leave the studio behind, Lies of P and Lords of the Fallen are the strongest heirs. Here are 8 games that keep what matters: fights where every mistake costs you, bosses you'll remember, and a world that tells its story without holding your hand.

What makes Dark Souls 3 so good

Released in 2016, Dark Souls III closes FromSoftware's trilogy. You play the Ashen One, an undead tasked with rekindling the First Flame in the crumbling kingdom of Lothric. It's faster than the earlier games, with some of the best bosses in the series and level design that loops back on itself to hand you very welcome shortcuts.

According to players on IGDB, the story wraps up in about 28.5 hours, but expect closer to 51 with extras and 104 to complete everything. The full breakdown is in our guide on how long it takes to beat Dark Souls 3.

How to pick your next soulslike

If you want the same DNA, stay with FromSoftware: Bloodborne for aggression, Sekiro for parrying, Elden Ring for freedom. If you want something different, look at pace (Lies of P is fast, Lords of the Fallen heavier) and multiplayer (Remnant is great with three players). Our soulslike picks go even further.

1. 

   1. Bloodborne

   2015 · Main story 24.5 h

   The gothic cousin of Dark Souls, from the same studio. No shield here: you win back health by hitting back, which keeps you up close and aggressive. Yharnam is one of the most striking cities in gaming and its bosses are vicious. The obvious next step if you loved the faster pace of Dark Souls 3.

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2. 

   2. Elden Ring

   2022 · Main story 46 h

   The whole Souls formula in a huge open world. You ride across the Lands Between, pick your fights and come back later to a boss that's too tough. It's the most approachable soulslike without being easy. If you want to keep going after, here are our games like Elden Ring.

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3. 

   3. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

   2019 · Main story 22 h

   FromSoftware rewrites the rules: no builds, no gear, everything comes down to deflecting and the posture bar. Every sword duel feels like a dance where you have to read your opponent. It's harder at first, but incredibly rewarding. For players who want a pure combat challenge.

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4. 

   4. Dark Souls II

   2014 · Main story 20 h

   The often underrated middle chapter of the trilogy. Drangleic is big, the areas are varied and the game gives you tons of build options. It has rough edges, but it's packed with good ideas and corners to explore. Play it if you want the whole story before you start Dark Souls 3 again.

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5. 

   5. Lies of P

   2023

   A soulslike that retells Pinocchio in a Belle Époque style city overrun by puppets. Combat leans hard on parrying, and weapons come apart so you can mix blades and handles. Its bosses are among the best in the genre outside FromSoftware. The first one to try if you want a different studio.

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6. 

   6. Lords of the Fallen

   2014 · Main story 15 h

   Your lantern lets you cross into a world of the dead layered over the world of the living, with its own paths and enemies. That idea makes exploring feel genuinely fresh. It's dark and weighty, with a strong medieval dark fantasy flavor. Good for players who love checking every corner of a level.

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7. 

   7. Remnant: From the Ashes

   2019 · Main story 9.5 h

   A soulslike with guns that you can play in co-op with up to three players. Worlds and bosses are partly randomized, so two runs never look the same. Dodging and stamina management stay at the heart of it. Perfect if you'd rather suffer with friends than alone.

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8. 

   8. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

   2025 · Main story 12 h

   A recent soulslike set in late Ming dynasty China, ravaged by a mysterious sickness. You get the checkpoints, the lost resources on death and huge bosses, all with very polished art direction. For fans who have already cleared the big classics and want something new.

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FAQ

What game is most like Dark Souls 3?

Bloodborne is the closest, made by FromSoftware right before it, with fast combat and top-tier bosses. Outside the studio, Lies of P copies the structure, the difficulty and the quality of the fights best, and adds a very precise parry system on top.

Do I need to play Dark Souls 1 and 2 before 3?

No, each game stands on its own and Dark Souls 3 doesn't expect any prior knowledge. That said, having played the first two makes some references and places hit much harder. If you start with the third one, you can always go back through the trilogy later.

Which soulslike is easiest for beginners?

Elden Ring is usually the top recommendation, because its open world lets you wander off when a boss blocks you, and summons help a lot. Remnant: From the Ashes is also a good entry point if you can play it in co-op with friends.