Games Like Elden Ring: 8 Tough Picks Worth Your Time

If you're looking for a game like Elden Ring, play Dark Souls III: same studio, same demanding combat, in a tighter world. Bloodborne and Sekiro are the two other big FromSoftware games to try next, and Lies of P is the best soulslike made by someone else. We picked 8 games that capture what makes Elden Ring great: memorable bosses, a world packed with secrets and the pride of finally getting better.

What makes Elden Ring so special

Elden Ring is FromSoftware's Dark Souls formula blown wide open. You play a Tarnished in the Lands Between, a huge open world with a day-night cycle, changing weather, hidden dungeons and fearsome bosses. You can go almost anywhere, and if a boss walls you, you just explore elsewhere and come back stronger.

It's directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, with world-building from George R. R. Martin. The lore is dense and told in small fragments, and every discovery feels like a secret you found all by yourself.

How to pick what comes next

If difficulty and bosses are what you love, any Souls game will do. If it's the freedom to explore, look for a big open world, even an easier one. And if fast combat won you over, go for Bloodborne or Sekiro, which reward aggression over caution. You'll find more ideas in our soulslike guide.

1. 

   1. Dark Souls III

   2016 · Main story 28.5 h

   The natural next step. Combat is very close to Elden Ring, a bit faster than older Dark Souls games, and its bosses are among FromSoftware's best. The world is more linear, but every area is built with incredible care. Want to plan ahead? Check how long it takes to beat Dark Souls III.

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2. 

   2. Dark Souls

   2011 · Main story 37.5 h

   The first of the trilogy and where it all started. Its interconnected world, full of shortcuts that loop back to places you know, is still a masterclass in level design. Combat is slower and heavier than Elden Ring, but finally mastering Lordran feels like nothing else.

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3. 

   3. Bloodborne

   2015 · Main story 24.5 h

   FromSoftware in a gothic city overrun by beasts, with far more aggressive combat. You barely have a shield: you attack to win back the health you just lost. Its horror atmosphere and Lovecraft-inspired world make it one of the studio's most striking games, and a top priority if you love Souls games.

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4. 

   4. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

   2019 · Main story 22 h

   No character creator, no builds: you're a shinobi with a sword, and everything hinges on deflecting. The posture system makes every duel incredibly intense. It might be FromSoftware's hardest game at first, but once it clicks, it's the studio's most rewarding combat by far.

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5. 

   5. Demon's Souls

   2009 · Main story 31.5 h

   The game that started the Souls formula. Its world is split into areas reached from a central hub, which makes it a little easier to wrap your head around. You'll spot the roots of many Elden Ring ideas, plus very creative bosses that often ask you to think rather than just swing.

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6. 

   6. Lies of P

   2023

   A soulslike inspired by Pinocchio, set in a Belle Époque style city ravaged by puppets gone mad. Combat is built around perfect parries and weapons you assemble yourself, mixing blades and handles. It's one of the best games in the genre that doesn't come from FromSoftware.

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7. 

   7. Tunic

   2022 · Main story 11.5 h

   A little fox in a colorful world, yet a true Souls-style game: tough enemies, demanding bosses, shortcuts to unlock. Its brilliant idea is an in-game manual you collect page by page, hiding the world's secrets. Perfect if you love Elden Ring's sense of discovery in a smaller package.

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8. 

   8. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

   2015 · Main story 37.5 h

   If the sheer size of the open world was your favorite part, The Witcher 3 is a strong pick. Combat is much less punishing, but the exploration, side quests and monster hunts will keep you busy for dozens of hours. A nice breather after Elden Ring, with a much stronger story. More in games like The Witcher 3.

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FAQ

What game is most like Elden Ring?

Dark Souls III is the closest in combat, bosses and atmosphere, since it comes from the same studio and shares the same core gameplay. It's more linear, but if you enjoyed fighting the bosses of the Lands Between, you'll feel right at home.

Is there a game like Elden Ring but easier?

Yes. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt gives you a big open world with much more forgiving combat. Tunic is still tough but shorter and gentler on the eyes. And in Elden Ring itself, Spirit Ash summons help a lot if you keep getting stuck.

How long does it take to beat Elden Ring?

According to players on IGDB, expect about 46 hours for the main story, around 119 hours with side content and about 174 and a half hours to do everything. We break it down in how long to beat Elden Ring.