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Player Survey · 6 titles · 79 votes

The Best Soulslike Games of All Time

Discover the best Soulslike games, ranked by surveyed players. Compare scores, platforms and reviews to find your next favorite.

241Players surveyed
79Total votes
28Votes for #1
4.6Top avg score

This ranking is a curated snapshot of the Best Games survey. Votes submitted on this page are not included.

Survey period: May 12 – Jun 2, 2026 · 241 players surveyed · Vote in the current survey →

How this ranking works
  • We surveyed 241 players, who named the games they recommend on each platform.
  • Where available, picks include ratings on five axes — story, gameplay, graphics, music and character.
  • Rankings are ordered by mentions (votes) first, then by average score.

The 6 best Soulslike games

Elden Ring28 votes
1

Elden Ring

PlayStation 5

Survey scores · avg 4.6/5

Story4.3
Gameplay4.8
Graphics4.7
Music4.6
Character4.5

Elden Ring is the epic love child of FromSoftware, the game developer that is hell-bent on making players turn their controllers into projectiles, and George R.R. Martin, the author who has a knack for creating beloved characters who ultimately meet their end after three chapters. You take on the role of the Tarnished, and you will venture forth through the harsh and unforgiving world of The Lands Between. Players will helm both sword and shield as they weather the landscape of battle unleashed by the gods and their kin. The game is the very definition of sheer will, as it constantly tests players' mettle through the usual soulslike difficulty expected from FromSoftware. Explore the vast reaches of the game's open world, defeat numerous foes and demigods in battle, and strive to become the Elden Lord.

Survey voice

うっちー / 30代 / 男性

An open-world action RPG etched into gaming history, the finest of the 21st century. Despite its overwhelming difficulty, it has an addictiveness that makes you want to challenge tough enemies again and again, and the sense of accomplishment the moment you win is an appeal you can rarely taste in other games. On top of an enormous amount of content, it also features highly free character building through diverse builds, boasting a level of polish that lets you keep playing for hundreds of hours. The DLC adds new weapons, areas, and bosses, letting you enjoy a new adventure with a volume rivaling the main game. The breadth of exploration and build-building expands even further, and it has the appeal of keeping you playing long after clearing it.

Show original (日本語)

ゲーム史に刻まれる、21世紀最高峰のオープンワールドアクションRPG。圧倒的な高難度でありながら、何度も強敵へ挑戦したくなる中毒性と、勝利した瞬間の達成感は他のゲームではなかなか味わえない魅力を持つ。膨大なコンテンツ量に加え、多彩なビルドによる自由度の高いキャラクター育成も特徴で、何百時間でも遊び続けられる完成度を誇る作品。 DLCでは新たな武器やエリア、ボスが追加され、本編に匹敵するほどのボリュームで新たな冒険を楽しめる。探索やビルド構築の幅もさらに広がり、クリア後も長く遊び続けられる魅力を備えている。

Elmer

The only game that I've ever played that I'd call a "true open-world". It always amazed me how after the tutorial, you're free to do whatever... enter Caelid underleved, fight the Tree Sentinel with beginner equipment, or just simply explore. Despite the difficulty, none of the fights ever felt unfair (except for Consort Radahn...), and every inch of exploration felt marvel. Also, unironically, this game made me feel fear no other games have done before. The fear of the unknown, fear of death, it was crazy feeling all sorts of emotions when I was playing this game.

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View on PlayStation 5 →
Bloodborne20 votes
2

Bloodborne

PlayStation 4

Survey scores · avg 4.6/5

Story4.3
Gameplay5.0
Graphics4.3
Music4.7
Character4.8

Bloodborne is an action RPG by the beloved developers of Dark Souls, FromSoftware. In this long-hyped new IP, shields were ditched for an even faster, riskier and more feral combat where parrying was almost required and aggression was key. The dark fantasy theme takes a Victorian aesthetic with a heaping serving of eldritch horror.

Survey voice

Aiko / 20s / Female

I remember seeing this game for the first time and not liking it but I decided to give it a shot because I love the gothic aesthetic. I ended up liking it so much that it became my go-to game for blowing off steam. As corny as it sounds, Bloodborne was there for me when I was frustrated and depressed in university. Game is starting to show its age, hence the 4/5 graphics rating, but I still love it to bits.

Piolo / 30s / Male

This is precisely why I bought a PS4! I was really into the Souls genre at the time, and Bloodborne is my personal favourite. The shift in playstyle from block-focused turtling' to aggression, coupled with the faster-paced combat and rally mechanic, sets the game apart from the rest of the series — not to mention the matching soundtrack.

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View on PlayStation 4 →
Dark Souls III11 votes
3

Dark Souls III

PlayStation 4

Survey scores · avg 4.5/5

Story4.1
Gameplay4.9
Graphics4.5
Music4.4
Character4.1

Dark Souls III is the somber conclusion to the Dark Souls trilogy, taking place in the ruined kingdom of Lothric where the lands seem to converge as the universe itself continues the slow march into the next age. You take control of an Unkindled, the Ashen One, who once failed to link the First Flame in the past. Now tasked to bring back the runaway Lords of Cinder, you'll struggle against powerful bosses and even some familiar faces all to hopefully keep the First Flame lit and stave off the invevitable Age of Dark.

Survey voice

うっちー / 30代 / 男性

A supreme work as an action RPG. The boss fights in particular are extremely well crafted, with an appeal that makes you want to challenge fierce enemies over and over. On the other hand, its difficulty is very high, and the main game's final boss, the "Soul of Cinder," made me struggle for about three hours. After racking up defeat after defeat while searching for a strategy, the sense of accomplishment when I finally won was exceptional. It's a work that gave me the best boss-fight experience, but I won't forget the grudge of being held up for three hours. Unforgivable.

Show original (日本語)

アクションRPGとして最高峰の作品。特にボス戦の完成度が非常に高く、強敵との死闘は何度でも挑戦したくなる魅力があります。 一方で、その難易度は非常に高く、本編ラスボスの「王たちの化身」には3時間ほど苦戦させられました。何度も敗北を重ねながら攻略法を模索し、ようやく勝利できた時の達成感は格別です。 最高のボス戦体験を味わわせてくれた作品ですが、3時間も足止めされた恨みは忘れません。許せん。

Aiko / 20s / Female

DSIII almost beat Bloodborne as my favorite game ever, but I feel that Bloodborne is more replayable. What I love about DSIII though is the story/worldbuilding. Honestly, I think I prefer the grander thread of storytelling in DSIII; it makes me more emotional to go over.

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View on PlayStation 4 →
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice10 votes
4

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

PlayStation 4

Survey scores · avg 4.4/5

Story3.8
Gameplay5.0
Graphics4.7
Music4.0
Character4.3

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice in FromSoftware's twist to the Dark Souls Formula they popularized. Unlike its older games, Sekiro emphasizes split-second swordsmaship through timed deflects. Momentum is also key as the game's posture system encourages players to keep the pressure on enemies in ways Dark Souls and Bloodborne have never done before. Despite the innovative mechanics, Sekiro still retains the atmosphere and rewarding difficulty the were renown for. The game also has a setting unique to FromSoftware titles. It is only fitting that Japanese developer FromSoftware would tackle a Japanese Period piece. Intense, Fast Paced, but fair. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice proves that FromSoftware can innovate beyond Dark Souls

Survey voice

しげぽよ

- A die-and-retry game different again from Dark Souls - First off, you're surprised that the die-and-retry skills you cultivated in Dark Souls don't work - There's no guarding, but the "deflect" system where you time it to the enemy's attacks is very fun but hard - Besides bosses, there are mini-bosses, and they're genuinely strong - Even the regular enemies are plenty strong and you'll die easily - A midgame boss that's a peak is extremely strong and you'll nearly break, but challenging it many times, you get used to it and can beat it, and you start feeling a rush - There are many strong bosses, making it rewarding

Show original (日本語)

・ダークソウルとはまた違った死にゲー ・ダクソで培った「死にゲー力」が通用しない事にまず驚き ・ガードはないが敵の攻撃にタイミングを合わせる「弾き」システムが非常におもしろいがむずかしい ・ボス以外にも中ボスがおり、普通に強い ・雑魚も普通に強くて余裕で死を迎える ・途中山場となるボスが非常に強く心が折れそうになるが、何回も挑むと慣れて倒せるようになれて快感を感じてくる ・強いボスが何体もいてやりがいがある

たかぎ

I played it on PC a while after release. I've played all of FromSoftware's die-and-retry games since Dark Souls, but SEKIRO is the most fun. Within the hardcore rigidness of a die-and-retry game, stylish action elements are woven in, and above all the combat is just fun.

Show original (日本語)

発売から時間が経ってPCでプレイ。フロムの死にゲーはダークソウル以降全てプレイ済みだが、一番SEKIROが面白い。死にゲーという硬派さのなかにスタイリッシュなアクション要素が織り交ぜられており、とにかく戦闘が面白い。

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Demon's Souls (Remake)7 votes
5

Demon's Souls (Remake)

PlayStation 5

Survey scores · avg 4.0/5

Story3.3
Gameplay4.5
Graphics4.2
Music4.1
Character4.1

Demon's Souls was where the Souls genre was born. Introducing an unforgiving dark fantasy world, subtle lore exposition and worldbuilding, tight combat controls requiring patience and practice, a host of interesting and wildly difficult bosses, and a punishing death system that made each encounter and victory that more fulfilling.

Survey voice

かど

The game's controls haven't changed at all from the old "Demon's Souls." Melee combat is quite disadvantageous, and if you play centered on ranged attacks, you can basically get through to the end. This point is also greatly different from the later "DARK SOULS" series, which is very interesting. The reason I want to recommend this game is that I felt it's one of the works that lets you experience the PS5's performance most clearly. Above all, the visual expression is completely next-gen quality, and the delicate lighting and the meticulous craftsmanship of the backgrounds and stages are overwhelming. It's a work I'd want everyone to experience at least once.

Show original (日本語)

ゲームの操作感は、かつての『Demon's Souls』からまったく変わっていません。近接戦闘はかなり不利で、遠距離攻撃を中心に立ち回れば、基本的に最後まで攻略できます。 この点も、後の『DARK SOULS』シリーズとは大きく異なっていて、非常に興味深い部分です。 本作をおすすめしたい理由は、PS5の性能を最もわかりやすく体感できる作品の一つだと感じたからです。 何よりも映像表現が完全に次世代クオリティで、繊細な光の表現や緻密な背景・ステージの作り込みは圧巻です。ぜひ一度は誰にでも体験してほしい作品です

Noel / 30s / Male

Where the Souls series began, your first Souls game will always be the hardest since it's the one that teaches you how to get good and how to have the right mindset, how to be patient, how not to spam, how to play with intention and discipline. The gameplay is tight and a cornerstone of action RPG combat, and the lore is deep and very dark. Brought punishing dark fantasy to the forefront and created its own subgenre.

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Dark Souls3 votes
6

Dark Souls

PlayStation 3

Survey scores · avg 3.7/5

Story2.7
Gameplay5.0
Graphics3.3
Music3.7
Character3.3

Dark Souls was the game entry that truly brought the term "souls-like" to the forefront. It is one of the most immersive games ever combining the experience of a dying world with a harsh hardcore gaming experience. Every step forward, every area discovered, every boss defeated is a celebration. The world design is immaculate with amazing set pieces combined with intertwining shortcuts that truly connect the world. You are also able to truly express your own playstyle with what equipment you don and what strategy you implement.

Survey voice

しげぽよ

- The first Dark Souls, the definitive die-and-retry game - Completely blind, you die a ton early on, but as you challenge it repeatedly and start to progress, it becomes a rush - The bosses have a strength truly befitting bosses, making you want to challenge them again and again - There are also outnumbered boss fights where you can taste unfairness - The NPCs have interesting personalities - You can build specialized builds like magic or physical focus, so there's a range of ingenuity that's fun - The DLC has bite too, letting you fight popular NPCs and featuring one of the hardest bosses

Show original (日本語)

・死にゲーといえばの代表作ダークソウル1作目 ・完全初見だと序盤で死にまくるが何回も挑んで進めるようになると快感になってくる ・ボスが本当にボスたる強さで何回も挑みたくなる ・多勢に無勢なボス戦もあり理不尽を味わえる ・NPCの個性が面白い ・魔法や物理特化など特化したビルドを組めたりと工夫の幅があって面白い ・DLCも人気NPCと戦えたり、屈指の難易度のボスがいたりと歯ごたえあり

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View on PlayStation 3 →

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FAQ

How were these best Soulslike games chosen?

From a survey of 241 players. Games are ranked by mention count, then average score, with votes combined across platforms.

What is the top Soulslike game?

Elden Ring ranks #1 with 28 votes.

How to find the best Soulslike games

The best Soulslike games according to 241 surveyed players — ranked by votes with average score as the tie-breaker, with platform links and curated player comments.

Still thinking about a game we missed?

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