Best Video Game Worlds Perfect For Soulslike Gameplay

One of Dark Souls’ greatest strengths is arguably its enigmatic world and the mysterious atmosphere it conveys. With truly memorable landmarks, diverse locations, and a myriad of charming characters to punctuate the journey, its setting is full of heart and mystery in near-equal measure.

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Thankfully, there is an abundance of games with similar atmospheres and settings, many of which are likely to appeal to fans of Dark Souls. However, many of these titles feature entirely different gameplay loops, despite the fact that their rich and mysterious worlds would fit perfectly with the soulslike formula.

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Hades

A Beautifully Illustrated Underworld

Released

September 17, 2020

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Hades is a slick action roguelite that takes place in a colorful rendition of the underworld, illustrated in a well-crafted painterly style. The game’s focus on narrative serves it especially well, supported by a cast of charismatic characters and RPG elements that give the game a broader appeal.

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Though its action is remarkably satisfying as-is, there’s no doubt that the rich and diverse underworld setting of Hades would be well-suited to a more narrative-focused soulslike. The charming characters, enigmatic world, and the diverse ensemble of enemies all make for an evocative setting that would flourish with a larger scale.

7

Quake

Dark & Gothic Science-Fantasy

This old-school FPS title excels with its Gothic architecture and dark science-fantasy setting, featuring an abundance of creative level designs that go above and beyond its limitations. Though its gameplay is decidedly action-oriented, Quake’s world is steeped in a dark, rich atmosphere that makes exploration a surprisingly immersive experience.

This immersive atmosphere and the Gothic nature of its environments align with typical soulslike worlds, and the light elements of horror only further this. Additionally, Quake’s unique combination of fantasy and science fiction would make for a particularly unique soulslike world, greatly expanding the possibilities of enemy and boss design.

6

Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath

A Strange & Desolate World

Released

January 25, 2005

OpenCritic Rating

Fair

Oddworld in general would offer a tremendous soulslike setting thanks to its zany approach to design and utterly unhinged personality. The colorful world and its variety of alien characters make for extraordinary locales that pique curiosity in flavorful ways.

However, it could be argued that the setting of Stranger’s Wrath would make a particularly interesting soulslike thanks to its generally darker tone and more desolate environments. It’s these harsh and hostile environments and the larger-than-life characters that dwell in them that really make Stranger’s Wrath a strong fit for a soulslike approach.

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Ravenswatch

A Dark & Twisted Fairy Tale Setting

Systems

Released

September 26, 2024

Developer(s)

Passtech Games

​​​Ravenswatch is an unforgiving action roguelike that takes great inspiration from ARPGs, offering a skill-based combat system combined with satisfying RPG character progression throughout each run. This all takes place in a dark and twisted fairy tale setting that, while bare-bones in its presentation, offers a suitable backdrop to the action.

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The sparse use of the game’s setting is suitable to the roguelike formula, but its dark fantasy tone and gruff, bantering characters may have more room to breathe within the bounds of a soulslike. There may not be much lore to adapt from the game itself, but the possibilities of its folklore and fairy-tale inspirations offer a deep well to draw from.

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Dishonored

A Downtrodden Atmosphere & Diverse Urban Environments

Dishonored’s world is a stark and downtrodden place full of disease, grime, and brutish characters. The contrasting environments of upper and lower class locations allow for a great deal of diversity, with the true filth of the game’s world never far from view.

The darkness of Dishonored’s world and the diversity of locales it offers would arguably be perfect for a soulslike setting. This is especially so thanks to the game’s abundance of grime and the interconnected urban environments that can be explored and even utilized in creative ways. The rich, steampunk world would also benefit from the typically large scale of soulslikes, which would provide ample opportunities for greater world-building.

3

Gloomwood

A Dirty, Grimy, & Interconnected Victorian City

Systems

Released

September 6, 2022

Publisher(s)

New Blood Interactive

Gloomwood is an atmospheric combination of survival-horror, immersive-sim, and stealth, offering a diverse experience that’s rich in ambiance. However, one of its greatest strengths is arguably its interconnected Victorian city, dynamically lit and populated by an abundance of strange and menacing characters and creatures.

Gloomwood’s methodical, immersive-sim gameplay is finely tuned. However, there’s no doubt that its dark Victorian setting, its fantasy elements, and the underlying Eldritch horrors beneath its hood would be an ideal fit for a soulslike.

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Caves Of Qud

A Strange, Mysterious, & Expansive Science-Fantasy Setting

Systems

Released

July 15, 2015

Developer(s)

Freehold Games

Publisher(s)

Freehold Games

Caves Of Qud is an open-world roguelike RPG that excels with its detailed character creator, progression system, and expert combination of hand-crafted and procedural content. However, one of its greatest strengths is most definitely its evocative science-fantasy world.

Despite the minimalist visuals of this roguelike, the rich and truly alien setting is beautifully conveyed via a combination of an ambient soundtrack, evocative writing, and poetic dialogue. The variety of quirky characters and creative locations make for a colorful world that’s rich in diversity, constantly piquing curiosity with its rewarding sense of discovery. The gentle ambiance and unique, alien atmosphere would no doubt make a great soulslike setting, and the abundance of wacky weapons and items that it facilitates would certainly make for exciting loot.

1

Darkest Dungeon

Stark Gothic Horror & Lovecraftian Terrors

Released

January 19, 2016

Developer(s)

Red Hook Studios

Publisher(s)

Red Hook Studios

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

​​​​​Darkest Dungeon’s scratchy, hand-drawn art-style and the roughly hewn edges of its dark fantasy world would fit perfectly with the typically harsh and unforgiving gameplay of soulslikes. Furthermore, the game’s Gothic inspirations and downtrodden atmosphere appropriately match the ambiance of Dark Souls and its contemporaries.

The Lovecraftian horror at the game’s center is also ideal for a soulslike, offering a myriad of enemy and boss designs and a looming sense of dread. Most importantly, the small pockets of Darkest Dungeon’s world are ripe for expansion, and to more deeply explore its dark and dying lands within a soulslike structure would likely prove deeply rewarding.

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