The Soulslike genre has become a common fixture in gaming. Every year, developers come up with challenging new worlds for players to explore, creating new variations on the tried and tested formula. As the name suggests, Soulslikes take inspiration from FromSoftware’sseminal dark fantasy seriesDark Souls,blending difficult boss fights with an interconnected world and environmental storytelling.
While many games feature the same third-person POV asDark Souls, this visual perspective does not define the genre. Soulslikes have begun to incorporate other styles, from side-scrolling platform games to an isometric point of view. Isometric video games are characterized by their fixed parallel viewpoint, with the camera angled down towards the character, creating the illusion of a three-dimensional world. Isometry is well-suited to the Soulslike genre, it allows for a greater level of depth over side-scrolling or top-down games. The perspective has also become popular among indie developers for its game design possibilities and technical accessibility.
7There is No Light
A Challenging Fantasy Horror Soulslike
This tough action Soulslike game blends elements of Metroidvania and Roguelike games into a challenging experience that fans of the genre should enjoy. While there is a story, the narrative is secondary to the action, as players take on the creatures of the dark underworld. The game includes elements of Lovecraftian horror and has a solid pixel art style.
There is No Lightis a tough game and can be very unforgiving. The game’s difficulty may be unappealing for some. However, for playerssearching for a fresh challenge, the Eldritch horrors ofThere is No Lightmay satisfy that itch.There is No Lighthas received mostly positive reviews through Steam, and experienced genre fans will enjoy this challenging Soulslike title.
No Rest for the Wickedtasks players with purging a mutating plague, named Pestilence, from the island of Isola Sacra. Players take on the role of a Holy Warrior, who uses their magic abilities and various weapons to combat the monsters created by the plague.
No Rest for the Wicked usescommon dark fantasy themesoften found in Soulslike games, creating a fun, action-orientated title that will appeal to fans of the genre. Players can craft weapons and armor, items for their home, improve the surrounding city, and explore a stunning world, created by the same team asOri and the Blind Forest. As an early-access game,No Rest for the Wickedoffers a lot of potential. While its content is quite short, it remains a must-play experience for fans of isometric soulslike action games.
Fans of Soulslikes will want to test their skills against this tough isometric action title. In the game, players find themselves in a dark fantasy setting, where the imprisoned Old Gods have wrought devastation on the land. Players control a lone warrior, fated as the last hope for humanity against the unleashed monsters.
Eldest Soulsblendsfast combat and high difficultythat will appeal to veteran Soulslike players. While the challenge ofEldest Soulsmay not appeal to the average gamer, its stunning pixel art style and boss design will.Eldest Soulslooks and plays well and will require patience to complete. However, players who persevere will be rewarded with a solid Soulslike action game set within a vibrant apocalyptic world.
4Morbid: The Seven Acolytes
Explore the Horrific Fantasy Land of the Acolytes
This fantasy horror isometric Soulslikeoffers a challenging experience. The player controls a Striver of Dibrom, a warrior who has trained to take on the legendary Seven Acolytes. This simple premise takes players into a dark and brutal realm where they will find quests to complete and enemies to slay.
Weapons can be upgraded and perks can improve the player’s stats. While based in a fantasy realm, the game moves into horror territory, with buckets of gore and Lovecraftian monstrosities. While the game can be completed within only a few hours of play,Morbid: The Seven Acolytesis a solid addition to the Soulslike genre.
3Sands of Aura
Explore a Ruined World On the Brink of Destruction
Sands of Aurapresents a doomed fantasy world known as Talamhel at the end of its time. This ravaged land has been covered by an endless sea of sand which players can explore. The game follows the adventures of a Remnant Knight as they fight against the destructive Night Plague and attempt to bring peace to the apocalyptic land.
This action-adventure game leans heavily into the dark fantasy aesthetic, offering challenging boss encounters, excellent level design, and smooth combat controls. The game supplies an array of weapons to suit a variety of play styles and crafting options for even more customization. The story is solid, if a little forgettable.Sands of Auraoffers a satisfying Soulslike experience that will please genre fans or playerslooking for a new challenge.
Death’s Doortakes common Soulslike mechanics and places them in a unique setting that is unlike any other game in the genre. In the game, doors to the afterlife replace the standard bonfire, while healing requires planting seeds scattered around the game. Players control a small Crow, who works for the bureaucratic Reaping Commission, to find and reap souls. However, the character soon finds themselves in a crow-conspiracy and must fight to uncover its secrets.
The game supplies an array ofweapons, spells, and abilitiesto defeat the various bosses and solve puzzles in each dungeon. The game was well-received on release, receiving praises for its rewarding difficulty, fun tone, and combat. The game blends classic dungeon crawling gameplay with Soulslike mechanics.Death’s Doorwill please fans who are looking for a light-hearted game that still offers significant challenges.
1Tunic
A Fun Indie Soulslike
At first glance,Tuniclooks nothing like the gritty, dark fantasy Soulslikes genre fans are used to. However, this fun action-adventure game uses many common mechanics veteran players will know, such as Estus-like healing flasks and bonfires that reset the world.
The game follows an anthropomorphic fox who explores a post-apocalyptic fantasy world, taking on dangerous enemies and tough boss fights. The game’s story is slowly revealed through various writings and clues discovered throughout the playthrough.Tunicis a colorful and pleasing game with hidden depth and a strong challenge. The game was released to strong reviews, with critics praising its difficulty, gameplay, and setting.
