The Best Soulslike Games On PS5, Ranked

Sometimes, you just crave a game that presents a serious challenge. Such games contribute significantly to maintaining a reasonable playtime for shorter games, especially considering the frequent boss refights. Without a doubt, the ideal genre for this kind of experience is a Soulslike game.

On the PS5, there are several games that borrow the exceptional attributes of Dark Souls and incorporate them in innovative ways. While some may strongly evoke the Dark Souls feel, it’s easy to overlook that when a game introduces unique mechanics or settings that set it apart.

Updated on March 17, 2025, by Mohamed El Ouardighi: Want to dive into some challenging Soulslike games on your PS5 this year? Look no further – this list has you covered!

14

Biomutant

Beginner Friendly

If you played through the core Dark Souls games and felt like there weren’t enough animal creatures doing battle, then Biomutant is for you. This game matches the Dark Souls-style gameplay loop while managing to stand out from its peers with fun exploration featuring unique mounts.

You get to fully customize your own little creature before being dropped into the world to learn how to play. The whole thing will immediately feel like Dark Souls, though it does have a much less ambitious story for the most part.

13

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

Star Wars Can Be A Soulslike As Well

If you want your soulslike game to come with a large story, look no further than Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. The quiet worlds you must explore will feel like a more sci-fi take on Dark Souls, and the combat will feel eerily similar.

For a long time, this was one of the longest Star Wars games to truly master, so a Dark Souls fan like you should have a great time learning every aspect of it. Don’t forget to meditate often, as those meditation points act as your bonfires in this game.

12

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

The Sequel That We Needed

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor builds on Fallen Order in nearly every way, making it a strong sequel that improves upon the original while staying true to its foundation. The first major improvement is the enhanced combat, which introduces new lightsaber stances that provide more combat options. The world is also larger, filled with side quests, characters, and plenty to explore.

It’s rare these days for a sequel to excel, but Survivor definitely learned from the first game and listened to its players to deliver this. And yes, the Souls-like aspect is still very much present.

11

The Nioh Collection

Underrated Series

Why just get one soulslike game when you could get two? They both have remastered versions, too. If you pick up The Nioh Collection, you’ll have access to two great games that give you Dark Souls combat through the vessel of a samurai or a yokai spirit.

The original Nioh was already a triumph, but Nioh 2 somehow managed to make almost every aspect even better while providing an experience that will remind you of the Dark Souls series. The gameplay is familiar, but there are some unique quirks to each game that keep them unique.

10

Code Vein

Soulslike Come In Anime Too

You might be a big fan of anime and anime games, and that means you’ll love Code Vein. The game is relatively short, and most people consider it to be a lot easier than Dark Souls, but taking that formula and translating it into a brooding anime is exactly what this game is like.

You get to create your own character before joining a group to find various Bloodsprings. The level of customization is much greater than the average Dark Souls, but you won’t find yourself shouting at the TV nearly as much.

9

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

Must Try At Least

Depending on who you ask, some might say that Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a much more skill-based game than any other Soulslike. This is due to the necessity of mastering deflections to succeed.

The beauty of this game lies in its straightforwardness. If you find the Dark Souls games too obtuse at times, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty offers a more direct experience from start to finish. You can focus on mastering combat while enjoying the story.

8

Stranger Of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin

A Final Fantasy Souslike??

This game is essentially the Final Fantasy series take on the Dark Souls formula, and to a lot of people, it’s a surprise hit. You aren’t going to have as much customization at your fingertips in this game, but luckily, you aren’t stuck with a single gameplay style.

You take control of Jack, someone interested in destroying Chaos. Since the game has a heavy emphasis on story, it’s best to experience the rest yourself, but just know it isn’t anything mind-blowing for the Final Fantasy series by any means.

7

Lords Of The Fallen

Best Thing To A Dark Souls Game

Since there’s no news of any new Dark Souls releases in the future, the closest alternative is the reboot of Lords of the Fallen, which hit shelves in 2023. It’s a game that closely mirrors the Dark Souls experience, from creating your character and selecting a starting class to bracing yourself for multiple deaths.

What sets this reboot apart is its introduction of the Umbral World. This feature allows you to switch between Axiom, the living world, and Umbral, the dead world, unveiling new rewards, secrets, and, of course, along the way. With a diverse array of weapons and spells, you can experiment with various builds to find your preferred playstyle.

6

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

A Test Of Skills

This game should feel incredibly soulslike, considering it was made by the same developers of the Dark Souls series. Much like Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice tries to go in a new direction and take some unique swings for the soulslike genre.

You get to play as a shinobi in a very classic take on the Sengoku period of Japan’s history. Rather than heavy RPG elements, this game introduces a much more straightforward story and some fun stealth mechanics that really shake up a familiar formula.

5

Mortal Shell: Enhanced Edition

New Concept, Still Difficult

Mortal Shell will immediately remind you of Dark Souls both in playstyle and overall world design. What sets it apart is the shell mechanic you can access to battle the game’s many threats.

The different shells you have access to all have unique play styles, so it’s worth swapping them out when possible to have an easier time in certain areas or against certain bosses. Of course, you can just stick to one style and try to brute force your way through the game if you wish.

4

Remnant 2

Who Ordered Dark Souls With Guns?

Many have aptly dubbed the Remnant games as “Dark Souls with guns,” and they weren’t exaggerating. Remnant 2, the latest installment in the series, builds upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, offering improved graphics, smoother gameplay, and the enduring challenge that fans have come to expect.

Featuring a broader array of weapons and archetypes, Remnant 2 remains true to its roots with randomly generated elements that customize the experience for each player. This variability ensures that every playthrough differs in terms of events, bosses, and even the items you come across. It’s a dynamic and engaging experience, made even better when shared with friends.

3

Lies Of P

Pinocchio In A Soulslike Game

Drawing heavy inspiration from Bloodborne, Lies of P has learned from the Soulslike games of the past to create a unique experience. In this game, you step into the shoes of Pinocchio, navigating a dark setting where you must confront puppets and survive the Puppet Frenzy. The story, which I won’t spoil, unfolds uniquely, and the choices you make throughout the game impact the narrative, thanks to its creative Lie system.

Lies of P takes a more linear approach compared to other games in this genre, which might be more inviting to some players. However, don’t mistake linear for easy—multiple deaths are still on the menu, so consider yourself warned.

2

Bloodborne

Among The Best Out There

All this game needed for a catchy title was just a single word, Bloodborne. This was the first major spin-off attempt by the FromSoftware team, and just about everyone loved its faster-paced gameplay, especially since they could use guns and canons for battle.

Rather than putting an emphasis on defense, this game places a major emphasis on pressuring your opponents and parrying. If you like tough battles and flexing your quick reflexes, you’ll probably love this bizarre and dark adventure that feels ripped out of a twisted and mature Tim Burton film.

1

Elden Ring

Probably The Best Out There

Elden Ring is yet another effort from the FromSoftware team to spin away from Dark Souls to some degree. The world of this game was famously worked on by Game Of Thrones writer George R. R. Martin, though that has had a mixed reception.

With a huge open world to explore, this soulslike game gives you the ability to hop onto a mount to travel across the land. Outside of that, much of the game’s combat and exploration will feel incredibly familiar to any Dark Souls veterans.