Best Soulslike Games On PS Plus

Who could have predicted that FromSoftware’s Demon’s Souls would usher in a new subgenre of gaming? The 2009 release set the stage for its spiritual successor, 2011’s Dark Souls, to take the world by storm. FromSoftware’s titles have undoubtedly influenced gaming as a whole.

The best Souls-like PS Plus games are typically difficult, prioritize boss encounters, and feature weighty combat that incorporates a degree of strategy. While games such as Lords of the Fallen wear their Dark Souls influence on their sleeves, others are a bit more subtle in their comparisons. Except for a few notable exceptions, PS Plus Extra and Premium do not have many Souls titles in their library; however, there are quite a few games like Dark Souls on PS Plus.

Updated November 4, 2024 by Mark Sammut: PS Plus Extra and Premium’s October 2024 lineup did not include any Souls-likes, and the same can be said for Essential’s November 2024 games. That said, one title is worth recommending as a non-Souls-like option.

Also, on November 18, Blasphemous will leave PS Plus Extra, so give that a try while it is available. Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is also saying goodbye.

While every upcoming Souls-like game is on PS Plus Premium, some are not part of the Extra tier.

Each game’s average time is based on
HowLongToBeat’s
stats.

1 Bloodborne

FromSoftware’s Lovecraftian Souls-like Masterpiece

FromSoftware’s Bloodborne is the best Souls-like game on PS Plus Extra and Premium. A Gothic masterpiece set in the nightmare-inducing Yharnam, this PS4 exclusive is a masterclass in atmosphere, environmental design, music, and gameplay. Even post-Elden Ring, an argument could be made that FromSoftware peaked with Bloodborne, reaching a high that precious few developers ever get to achieve.

Utilizing a far more aggressive battle system than the Souls games, Bloodborne does not allow players a single restful moment. When playing this game, every instance is spent on edge as a new terrifying beast lurks around every corner, waiting to brutally demolish the Hunter. It is glorious. Compared to Dark Souls or Elden Ring, Bloodborne has a smaller pool of weapons and armor, allowing for a more limited range of builds. Even though this decision can be disappointing, the included items are valid candidates that can carry players for most of the campaign, and the weapons have multiple forms. That said, the game still has a decent selection of options, so it is not fully a case of quantity over quality.

2 Demon’s Souls (2020)

A Gorgeous PS5 Remake Of The Original Souls Game

Dark Souls and Elden Ring might have ingrained the Souls-like subgenre into the public consciousness, but 2009’s Demon’s Souls got the ball rolling. Bluepoint’s PS5 remake revitalizes this medium-changing game for a modern audience, greatly fine-tuning the visuals and combat while preserving the things that made the original version so memorable.

A fresh coat of paint aside, 2020’s Demon’s Souls incorporates plenty of minor tweaks and quality-of-life adjustments that improve some shortcomings of the PS3 version. Except for one FromSoftware game, this remake is the best Souls-like game on PS Plus​​​​​​, bar none. While the classic version is still worth playing due to its status as a landmark release and simply because of its quality, the remake is likely to be a more satisfying experience in this day and age.

2009’s
Demon’s Souls
is also on PS Plus Premium
and birthed the Souls genre. While dated in ways (and hamstrung by the fact that PS Plus can only stream PS3 titles), FromSoftware’s project is nevertheless a masterpiece.

3 Remnant 2

Third-Person Shooter Souls-like With Great Co-Op

As fun as Souls-likes are in general, the genre’s releases can threaten to blend together, with most games featuring fairly similar combat. As such, Gunfire’s Remnant stands out due to emphasizing ranged gunplay over melee or magic. The 2023 sequel expands well on its predecessor’s solid foundations, presenting an improved experience that shines brightly in co-op while also working well enough as a solo adventure.

Split into worlds/realms that all have wildly different esthetics, Remnant 2 strikes a middle-ground between curated linear progression and open-ended exploration, the latter part coming courtesy of optional dungeons that use light procedural generation. The combat is pretty typical for a third-person shooter, but it is supplemented by a robust class system and modifiers like mods and mutators. The game also nails its boss fights, a few of which are massive in scope.

4 Hollow Knight Voidheart Edition

The Ultimate 2D Metroidvania With Souls-like Combat

Team Cherry’s Hollow Knight was one of the most popular indie games of the 2010s, and time has not dulled any of the project’s shine. This 2D Metroidvania is set in Hallownest, a deceptively massive underground kingdom that is filled with beauty and nightmares. Cast as the Knight, players must traverse this strange world, battling enemies and defeating bosses along the way.

Similar to Dark Souls, Hollow Knight does not hold the player’s hand in any significant way. Encouraging exploration and backtracking, the game fills its world with lore drops and NPCs that deliver side quests. Hollow Knight is not only one of the best PS Plus Souls-like games but also one of the greatest titles on the service.

5 Dead Cells

Perfectly Adapting Souls-like Combat To A 2D Roguelike

Dead Cells is a 2D Metroidvania with rogue-lite elements in the sense that death sends players back to the start. As the Prisoner, players must traverse a dangerous island in order to kill its king, a process that entails defeating plenty of bosses along the way. During a run, the Prisoner picks up new weapons, items, and upgrades, all of which outside a select few are lost upon death.

Due to its procedurally generated levels, Dead Cells constantly shake things up so no two playthroughs are exactly the same. This design not only extends the game’s replayability and lifespan but also ensures that players never feel too comfortable as they traverse this challenging world. The combat system is fast-paced and addictive.

6 Nioh

Team Ninja’s Supernatural-Themed Romp Through Japanese History

Team Ninja’s Nioh takes the Dark Souls formula and throws a few dozen or so mechanics on top of it. Featuring three stances, a plethora of weapon types, and an expansive world filled with secrets, Nioh‘s similarities to FromSoftware’s franchise are immediately apparent, however, the game does set itself apart quite well. The Japanese setting makes for a pleasant change of pace, especially since it is inspired by the Sengoku Period.

The combat is quick and vicious, reflecting Team Ninja’s history with franchises like Ninja Gaiden. Nioh‘s campaign is split into smaller maps rather than one large interconnected world, although each area does come with shortcuts and plenty of secrets. Also, Souls players who love collecting loot will find that Nioh does not hold back in dishing out goodies. In fact, it might give away too many drops.

7 Blasphemous

Intense & Atmospheric Imagery With Unique Subtext

Blasphemous is a 2D Metroidvania that undeniably uses FromSoftware’s property as inspiration. Set in Cvstodia, this indie game envisions a grim kingdom filled with decrepit NPCs, haunting architecture, and religious iconography. It is not quite as desolate of a world as the regions found in the Dark Souls franchise, but Cvstodia is certainly heading in that direction.

As the Penitent One, players must travel all across the kingdom to complete Three Humiliations, which naturally come with awesome boss fights. Once done, this opens the way to face Escribar, this land’s Holiness. Blasphemous‘ hard-hitting combat is relatively straightforward, and it is elevated by fantastic animation that makes even the more basic of moves feel special. This game consists of almost nothing but combat, but it is at least satisfying.

8 The Surge 2

An Admirable Sci-Fi Take On The Souls-like Formula

Both of The Surge games are available on PS Plus Premium and Extra, and together they should provide more than 50 hours of Souls-like gameplay. While the first entry has its strengths, the sequel improves nearly every aspect of its predecessor. The combat is smooth and satisfying, especially since players have the option to target specific limbs of enemies.

The Surge 2 shows off a lot more of this universe’s dystopian setting, fleshing out the world’s backstory through its environmental storytelling. The Surge 2 is for anyone who has always wanted a sci-fi take on the Dark Souls formula, and the game does it well.

The Surge
is certainly worth a playthrough, even if it falls short in a few areas when compared to its predecessor. Still, if someone wants to complete all the Souls-like games on PS Plus Extra, they should start with the first game in Deck13’s duology.

9 Mortal Shell

Rough At Times, But Interesting Take On Builds

Mortal Shell wears its Dark Souls influences on its sleeve, although the game does introduce a couple of fresh ideas. As tends to be the case with this sub-genre, the core gameplay loop revolves around exploring a dark fantasy world filled with enemies that pack a punch and respawn whenever the player dies. While a bit more linear than most FromSoftware’s projects, Mortal Shell‘s level design is cut from the same cloth.

Even though the combat system is relatively typical for these sorts of games, Cold Symmetry shakes things up in two major ways. For one, Mortal Shell incorporates different shells that correspond with classes, and players can swap between them at specific locations. These shells serve as replacements for traditional loot. Another unique concept is that players can harden their shells to block incoming attacks, a mechanic they will need to master if they want to overcome the campaign’s reasonably challenging bosses.

10 Eldest Souls

Solid Isometric Alternative

Eldest Souls does not hide its appreciation for FromSoftware’s genre-defining Souls series, but it is also not afraid to try and establish a distinct identity. Played from an isometric point-of-view, the indie game tells a simple story about humanity’s revolt against the gods and the latter’s counterattack that pushes the former to the brink of annihilation. As such, players must eliminate a string of gods to ensure their species’ survival. Eldest Souls is a boss-rush game, so the campaign centers solely around a collection of enemies that must be defeated. This is a notable change from the typical Souls-like since exploration is not really part of the package, although there are some interludes between the boss encounters.

Eldest Souls plays well, and it should hit the spot with people who seek out direct and aggressive combat. Each boss comes with their own arena, all of which are visually impressive in their own right. The bosses are, generally, enjoyable, and they pack a challenge without venturing into unfair territory all that often. The game even has skill trees to provide some build options, which does add an element of replayability to what is ultimately a fairly short experience.

11 Kena: Bridge Of Spirits

Fun Adventure With Challenging Combat

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an admirable indie project that could easily pass for a triple-A release. Ember Lab created a beautiful and immersive fantasy world that just demands to be explored, even if the campaign itself is fairly linear. Cast as the eponymous spirit guide, players must use their skills to put the deceased to rest and also fight back corruption as it spreads across the mountain. Along with a small pool of abilities, Kena is armed with a staff that can also be used as a bow.

Although not quite as combat-driven as some Souls-likes, Kena: Bridge of Spirits nevertheless incorporates frequent fights, including a myriad of boss encounters that can pack a considerable wallop. Melee actions are reasonably satisfying to execute, and they are complemented well by Kena’s ranged and spiritual abilities. When not engaging in battles to the death, the game shifts its focus to puzzles, exploration, and light platforming. None of these elements are particularly original, but they are generally executed well.

12 Grime

Awesome Setting, Environments, & Bosses

If Salt and Sacrifice is a Souls-like with Metroidvania elements, Grime is a Metroidvania with Souls-like elements. Specifically, the game’s combat is very much cut from the Dark Souls universe, with players having to fight off aggressive enemies with well-telegraphed attacks. However, the indie title changes one specific thing: death does not result in a loss of experience. Removing this central Souls-like mechanic makes things a bit more manageable since Grime still packs an incredible punch in terms of difficulty.

Death is constant throughout the campaign, so a bit of forgiveness can go a long way to encourage players to keep trying until they break through a wall. While not offering the same range of build options as some other entries in the genre, Grime has three specific archetypes that are quite different from each other, along with a solid range of weapons.

As previously mentioned, this release falls 100% in the Metroidvania sphere, including a heavy focus on platforming and a drip-feed of abilities designed around movement (along with combat). Grime‘s grim-dark world is reasonably large and labyrinthian, and the game encourages players to explore thoroughly. The campaign delivers a constant sense of discovery, rewarding those who are willing to take risks and experiment.

Other PS Plus Games Souls Fans Might Love

Ultimately, there is only a limited number of games that fit the Souls-like descriptor. However, that does not mean PS Plus Premium and Extra subscribers who are fans of FromSoftware’s franchise have nothing to play once they have exhausted the above titles – they just have to expand their criteria. While the following PS Plus games are not cut from the same cloth as Dark Souls, they scratch a similar itch through their combat, lore delivery, or level design.

13 Dead Island 2

Satisfying Combat In A Zombie Apocalypse

OK, this recommendation is a bit of a stretch, but Dead Island 2 might hit the mark with players craving a lighthearted romp with meaty and crunchy combat. The 2023 sequel took a long time to materialize, and while not perfect, the wait was mostly worth it. After picking a slayer, players find themselves in Los Angeles, albeit one that has a few more zombies than usual. Picking up all sorts of melee weapons that can be used to bludgeon, stab, or smash walkers in the head, players start on a journey that will gradually guide them through various areas in the city, each one acting as a small self-contained zone.

Dead Island 2 is an acquired taste, and its value is entirely dependent on the gameplay loop. If the combat system does not gel with someone, they will likely get bored quickly; however, if it clicks with them, they should be in for roughly 20 hours of cathartic fun. The action can seem a bit simple at first, but it opens up quite a bit through crafting and elemental weapons, along with environmental hazards that are an absolute blast to execute (both figuratively and literally). Players are encouraged to target specific body parts to slow down zombies, and attacks have weight behind them. The story even has a few fun boss fights and a card-based progression system that provides some customization options.

Dead Island 2
‘s co-op is fun.

14 Monster Hunter Rise

Take Down Increasingly Bigger Bosses

Similar to Demon’s Souls birthing a new subgenre, Capcom’s Monster Hunter effectively accomplished the same thing in 2004. Regardless of sharing similarities with other action RPGs, this franchise is very much its own thing that cannot be directly compared to anything else (except for games inspired by Monster Hunter), and that includes Souls-likes. Sure, both subgenres revolve around battling massive bosses, feature robust weapon systems, and focus on builds; however, their execution is nothing alike. Still, fans of one type of game are likely to get a kick out of the other.

Monster Hunter Rise‘s formula is simple: accept hunt, search for the target monster, engage in a fairly lengthy battle, loot their carcass, craft better equipment, and repeat. While there is a story, it is just a glorified tutorial designed to ease newcomers into the MH routine and teach them the basics, while also allowing veteran players to skip forward and start the real hunter missions. As the most accessible entry in the series, Rise starts as quite easy, but it picks up significantly as it goes along, with later missions requiring players to properly prepare loadouts to target a monster’s weaknesses. Despite feeling very different from a traditional Souls-like, the combat is great, deep, and flexible, with the latter stemming from the 14-weapon system that encourages players to try out different builds to see which ones work best for them.

15 Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen

Flexible Combat System That Gets Progressively Better

Although somewhat associated with Dark Souls due to the base game launching around the same time, Dragon’s Dogma is not all that similar to FromSoftware’s franchise, outside the fact it is an action RPG set in a medieval-style world. That said, they do have enough crossover to appeal to the same audience, and that is especially the case with Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen since the expansion greatly ramps up the difficulty. Similar to Souls-likes, Capcom’s game grants players quite a bit of freedom in defining their character through their vocation and playstyle.

Different as it might be to Dark Souls, Dragon’s Dogma‘s combat is nevertheless fantastic, although its depth and flexibility take a while to fully reveal themselves. However, once players have the necessary resources to really get creative with their character builds, the gameplay becomes something truly special. While the vanilla version’s lackluster challenges hampered the combat’s potential, Dark Arisen‘s Bitterblack Isle went a long way in fixing that issue, and this section’s map design is closer to a Souls-like dungeon than the more sandbox-style base game.

Dragon’s Dogma is a cult classic that has garnered enough support to justify the announcement of a sequel, which is expected to drop in 2024. As such, newcomers who have never tried the original game should take advantage of its PlayStation Plus Extra availability while they have the chance. Sure, the game is frequently on sale and not particularly difficult to acquire, but it is an acquired taste. Sony’s subscription service removes the risk of someone spending money on a project that ultimately fails to click with them.

16 God Of War

Close & Intense Combat

Santa Monica soft rebooted God of War for the franchise’s 2018 entry, turning the over-the-top hack-and-slash series into a more intimate over-the-shoulder action game. Utilizing Norse mythology, God of War sees Kratos and his son, Atreus, undergoing a journey to fulfill the dying wish of the former’s wife and the latter’s mother.

Although not quite as complex as a Souls game, God of War‘s combat is visceral and fluid, particularly once Kratos expands his arsenal and Atreus unlocks a few new moves. God of War pushes its emotional and gripping story to the forefront, but once the main campaign is complete, players can roam the gorgeous world to complete leftover quests and take on some Valkyries.

17 Bloodstained: Ritual Of The Night

Modern Evolution Of Castlevania

Souls-likes obviously take some inspiration from Metroidvanias, particularly the Castlevania side of things. If a PS Plus subscriber wants something close to Symphony of the Night, they should check out Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. Developed by ArtPlay and a key producer who worked on Castlevania, Bloodstained comfortably captures the magic of its inspiration, all the while managing to establish its own identity. Set in a massive gothic castle that can sit alongside FromSoftware’s greatest architectural behemoths, the indie game delivers varied locations, epic boss fights, and a surprising range of customization options.

The latter quality makes Bloodstained an especially good pick for Souls-like fans since the genre is well-known for its class systems and loot. Ritual of the Night has an expansion selection of weapons that slot into 10 types, and each category feels unique enough to be worth trying. More impressively, the game allows players to pick up more than 70 demon abilities in the form of shards, paving the way for plenty of build options.

18 Stranger Of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin

Fun Battle System & Interesting Take On Jobs/Classes

PS Plus has a good selection of Final Fantasy games, including a couple of mainline real-time action entries that could hit the mark with Souls-like fans. Final Fantasy 7 Remake is especially great, even if it does not play all that similar to something like Dark Souls. While not quite as highly decorated as that release, Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin should not be ignored by anyone craving a hack and slash RPG with deep combat and customization. A prequel to the original Final Fantasy, the 2022 release garnered a mixed response at launch, and it is not exactly considered a high point in the franchise’s legacy; however, Team Ninja’s spin-off gets plenty of things right, and it can be an absolute blast to play depending on what someone is craving.

Alongside his two allies, Jack is on a mission to free Cornelia from Chaos’ wrath, a drive the warrior struggles to define since he and his friends are suffering from amnesia. Stranger of Paradise‘s story takes a long while to get interesting, and only really picks up momentum towards the end of a playthrough. Die-hard fans might enjoy its references and lore additions; meanwhile, everyone can focus on the action. Fast-paced and designed to be challenging, Team Ninja’s combat is intense and versatile, while also coming with a steep learning curve.

Generally, the game encourages aggressive but smart play, along with emphasizing the importance of exploring different builds. The latter comes in the form of 20+ jobs that can be assigned to Jack and his companions, all of which come with unique abilities and skills. Since Jack can equip two jobs at a time, players have plenty of options that can significantly change the flow of battle. SoP also supports co-op.

19 Ghost Of Tsushima

Gorgeous Open-World & Enjoyable Combat (That Is Very Different To Souls-likes)

Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Tsushima acted as something of a swan song for the PS4 era, and it allowed Sony’s last-gen console to conclude its main run on a high. Set during the Mongol raid on Japan, the story follows a samurai who goes on a quest to protect Tsushima Island after it has been overrun by the invading force. Boasting a large and visually stunning world, Ghost of Tsushima immerses players in a bygone era that has rarely been adopted as a setting by games.

While not quite as difficult as the standard Souls-like, Ghost of Tsushima‘s combat is still fantastic and addictive. The game presents players with quite a few options on how they would like to approach scenarios, and they can even decide to challenge enemies to duels. Along with the PS4 version, PS Plus Extra also has Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut, which incorporates the Iki Island expansion. This section adds roughly 5–10 hours of content.

20 Wild Hearts

Monster Hunter-Style Game With Cool Setting & Building Mechanic

Like how FromSoftware created a new genre in Soulslikes, Capcom effectively did the same with Monster Hunter. Similarly, both developers have a stranglehold on their respective categories, overshadowing all imitators that have followed in their footsteps. Honestly, Monster Hunter‘s shadow is arguably deeper than Dark Souls‘, to the point that no other IP has ever come close to challenging Capcom’s dominance. That said, Wild Hearts was one of the more valid efforts to provide an alternative to MH.

While primarily known for Musou games like Dynasty Warriors and Hyrule Warriors, Omega Force is not averse to trying out different types of action RPGs or hack and slash titles, usually to pretty great success. Toukiden 2 is among the better attempts to replicate MH‘s formula, and it is available on PS Plus Extra and Premium; however, Wild Hearts is a considerably bigger game, perhaps thanks to the involvement of EA. Inspired by Japanese mythology, the story casts players as a hunter who must take down Kemono, beasts that have been corrupted and are now running wild.

The gameplay loop boils down to accepting missions, tracking down the Kemono in question, and then engaging in pretty epic fights. Wild Hearts‘ most original idea is the inclusion of Karakuri, which are buildings/structures that can be created at camp or in the middle of battle. They provide unique advantages and are a great deal of fun to master. While a bit clunky, the combat is not bad either, and it prioritizes movement above everything else.