20+ Soulslike Games That Are Easier Than Dark Souls

The iconic Dark Souls games are great action-adventure RPGs developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment that fans of the soulslike genre have been playing for over a decade now and are among some of the highly recommended titles every gamer should try at least once, whether they are a fan of soulslike games or not.

As good as these soulslike games are, they are undeniably one of the most, if not the most punishing games out in the market today that players can hope to get their hands on to try and test their mettle against, but players are advised to go into these game expecting to see the respawn loading screen quite often till they learn the ropes of the game completely.

However, gamers who are tired of getting squashed by a boss a million times over, are guilty of rage-quitting the game in frustration countless times and are now actively looking for something more ‘relaxing’ yet challenging to play. Fortunately, there are quite a few other games belonging to the soulslike genre that players can dive into today that are comparatively less punishing than Dark Souls…or so we would like to believe.

Please note that all the games mentioned in the list below may not have all the characteristics of a Dark Souls game in them, but they will most certainly either have mechanics that closely resemble those in the iconic Dark Souls games or contain a few mechanics inspired by them like increased enemy difficulty, grim game setting, large-scale boss battles, etc.

So without much ado, let us look at the list of other soulslike games that are easier than Dark Souls:

1) Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is a third-person, single-player, action-adventure game that puts players in the shoes of a Jedi Padawan by the name of Carl Kestis, as he not only is on the run from the imperial inquisitors of the Galactic Empire but must also find a way of reassembling the Jedi Order to fight back against them.

In this game, players will use Carl’s various swift lightsaber attack combos and powerful force attacks to get the upper hand against the evil forces of the Empire. Players will have to employ numerous dodging, parrying, and blocking mechanics to survive and overcome the numerous challenges that will come their way on their epic journey to restore the Jedi Order to its former glory.

If a Star Wars-themed action game with engaging exploration mechanics and tactical combat encounters inspired by the iconic Dark Souls games is something you think you’ll find entertaining, then do try this game.

2) Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen

Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is a third-person, action-adventure game set in a fantasy world of Gransys where players take on the role of a human character called the ‘Arisen’, as he, along with his fellow companions, embark on an adventure to take down the evil dragon Grigori.

In this game, players will explore the sprawling world of Gransys with their companions and take on multiple quests and missions to progress in their story and gain access to more powerful weapons and armor. The companions in this game are called ‘pawns’, and they provide valuable support and suggestions whenever the protagonist requires some.

Although not as difficult as the games from the Dark Souls game series in general, the game does contain its fair share of memorable moments that will test the player’s skill and patience. So if you are into party-based that share some resemblance with FromSoftware’s gems, then this game will be to your liking.

3) Mortal Shell

Mortal Shell is a third-person, action-adventure game in which players take on the role of a ‘shell’ character who must traverse through various realms of a dying world and take on many enemies to gain more power and evolve to learn newer combat styles.

The main premise of this game is for players to take their ‘shell’ character across various treacherous biomes, jam-packed with brutal enemies waiting to cut their journey short in the blink of an eye. As players take on and defeat tougher enemies and grotesque bosses in this game, more unique ‘shells’ will become available to them to use to gain powerful buffs and abilities.

This game is by far the closest we have seen a game come in terms of recreating the iconic sense of dread and despair we usually get when playing any Souls game, so if you are someone who’s looking for a goofy Dark Souls clone that’s easier than the original, then this game will scratch that particular itch very well.

4) Remnant 2

Remnant 2 is a third-person shooter, action-adventure game, the sequel to the much-appreciated soulslike shooter game Remnant: From The Ashes, in which players will once again play as a human survivor who must go on various quests to save humanity from various deadly creatures and daunting bosses who are striving to destroy reality itself.

In this game, players initially choose the archetype of their characters based on their preferred playstyles to form the basis of their character that will ultimately decide what kind of skills, abilities, and combat maneuvers they will be able to employ against the countless unforgiving enemies they will face-off against during their travels.

Remnant 2 builds on the excellent work done by the Dark Souls games and puts its unique twist on it by introducing firearms and whatnot. If a Dark Souls-inspired game with firearms sounds exciting to you, do give this game a try to get a completely new soulslike experience.

5) Ori And The Will Of The Wisps

Ori And The Will Of The Wisp is a 2-D, action-adventure platform game in which players take on the role of a small bright white spirit creature known as Ori, as it goes on an adventure to find a newly born owl named Ku from the treacherous and dangerous lands of Niwen.

In this game, Ori will jump, dash, climb, and glide to solve the various sections in the game as well as solve intricate puzzles to progress further. By collecting various collectibles and completing numerous side quests, players will acquire several different skills and abilities that’ll help them in their all-important rescue mission when venturing into the unforgiving lands of Niwen.

If you’re looking for a game that has an emotional storyline, mesmerizing visuals, and enchanting music mixed in with high-octane Souls-inspired hard-hitting combat mechanics, then there aren’t many games better than this game to play.

6) Hollow Knight

Just like the previous game on this list, Hollow Knight is yet another 2-D action-adventure Metroidvania game in which players take on the role of an insect-like Knight as it explores a ruined kingdom known as Hollowfest that has been infected with a mysterious infection.

In this game, players will engage in many intricate platforming activities while battling various forms of insectoids in brutal and unforgiving combat scenarios. As they progress in the game, players will come up against even more powerful beasts and bosses whom they will look to defeat using their various skills and upgrades.

If you ever wondered what a Dark Souls game would look like if it ever came out as a 2-D platformer, then look no further than this game, as it has all the elements of a Dark Souls in it like hard-hitting enemies and a grim backdrop, to entice players enough to give it a go.

7) The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a third-person, action-adventure single-player game in which players play as The Witcher, Geralt of Rivia, a legendary monster hunter, as he goes on a quest to not only rid the continent of numerous mystical beasts and eerie malevolent spirits but to also save his daughter Ciri from a band of hooded pursuers knows as The Wild Hunt.

Being an action-adventure game set in a grim fantasy world, players will engage in various tactical fights with fellow humans, grotesque monsters, and vengeful spirits while exploring the huge open world this game has to offer, with each nook-and-cranny of the map filled with something new to uncover.

Moreover, enemies in this game are not to be trifled with, as each new variety comes with its very own strengths, weaknesses, and move sets that players will have to be mindful of before engaging with them.

Looking for an open-world story-based game with an engaging storyline, interesting characters, soulslike tactical combat, and an addictive card game? If yes then this game has all the elements in place to give players a memorable experience.

8) Lies Of P

Lies of P is a third-person, action-adventure single-player soulslike game set in the Belle Epoque Era, in which players play as a robotic puppet named Pinocchio as he travels through the ruined and plagued industrial city of Krat fighting various mechanical monsters along the way.

In this game, players will indulge in vicious combat with various mechanical and biological monsters using various weapons and skills. Since this is a soulslike game, enemies will be quite unforgiving, so players will have to dodge, parry, and counter-attack their way through them.

If you, like us, ever wondered what a Dark Souls game set during the French Revolution would look like, then this game is the perfect answer to that question as it takes the soulslike genre to a completely different level of polish, to provide fans of this genre a prettier and slightly more accessible French version of Dark Souls, provided players take the time to understand its gameplay mechanics.

9) Death’s Door

Death’s Door is a 3-D, isometric action-adventure game in which players play as a crow who embarks on a mission to visit various locations and battle monsters to collect their souls for the Reaping Commission Headquarters.

In this game, players will be able to fight various imposing creatures and monsters to reap their souls by utilizing a wide range of weapons ranging from powerful melee and ranged weapons, while also using magic. Moreover, players will also battle and look to defeat various imposing tyrants, each with their unique motivations, backstories, weaknesses, and strengths that players should exploit.

Death’s Door is not as difficult as most Dark Souls-inspired games usually are, but it does have certain gameplay elements that run close to what players may usually find in FromSoftware’s games, like the game’s grim setting and boss battles against humungous foes. So, if you’re looking for a hearty isometric RPG with the feel and flair of Dark Souls, this game is worth a look.

10) Steelrising

Steelrising is a third-person, single-player action-adventure, soulslike game set in 1789 Paris in which players take on the role of Aegis, a mysterious automaton, who must battle King Louis XVI’s clockwork automaton army single-handedly, to not only save the city from rising threat of dictatorship, but also prevent the historic Frech revolution from dying out entirely.

In this game, players will explore a linear world of retro-Paris and engage in high-octane battle scenarios with automatons of all shapes and sizes. Players will have to dodge, parry, and strike with every tool in their arsenal to bring down the most basic enemies in the game and iconic bosses.

11) Lords Of The Fallen (2023)

Lords Of The Fallen is a third-person, action-adventure RPG set in a dark fantasy world in which players craft their very own avatar and take on the role of a Dark Crusader who must embark on an epic adventure and traverse between the land of the living and the dead, to stop the impending resurrection of the once defeated demon God Adyr, once and for all.

Staying true to its roots, in this game, players will square up against a wide variety of had-hitting enemies and battle colossal bosses in epic skirmishes. Each enemy variety comes with unique skills, vulnerabilities, and strengths, so players must be mindful of that when looking to take them on, just like they would be expected to do in any Dark Souls game.

In essence, this game takes a lot of inspiration from the iconic Dark Souls games released over the years but also tries to add its spin to it, with most of them hitting a particular spot no other soulslike game has tried before.

12) Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

Are you looking for a Soulslike game drenched in Chinese mythology? Look no further. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is a third-person, single-player, action-adventure soulslike game set in 184 CE China during the Three Kingdoms period, in which players play the role of a militia soldier who must battle through various formidable foes to fulfill their destiny of becoming the savior their dynasty always needed.

Since the game is all about a ‘nobody’ rising the ranks and becoming a hero, players will initially have to decide what class or phase their character adopts that will ultimately decide what kind of fighting style they’ll adopt and the powers they will wield.

Enemies in this game are challenging, so players must block, dodge, and counter them to victory. The game also uses a ‘Morale rank’ mechanism that dictates how difficult a battle against a particular enemy is going to be, so players should always try to keep it as high as possible.

13) Code Vein

Code Vein is a third-person, action-adventure souls-inspired game set in a distant world during a ‘Great Collapse’, where humanity is on its last legs, and monsters are rising from the ground to end them for good. To counter the monster, however, the humans send a soldier on a quest to take down the frenzied Queen of the monster, Cruz Silva, before time runs out and the emerging monsters overwhelm them.

In this game, players will embark on an adventure and fight various challenging enemies using the many skills and abilities at their disposal. Players can freely change their character class, abilities, and skills on the go in this game, giving them unprecedented freedom to customize their characters exactly to their liking.

Also Read: Interested in games like Dark Souls? If yes, then check out our list of some of the toughest games that players can hope to get their hands on that will truly test their mettle.

14) The Surge 2

The Surge 2 is a third-person, action-adventure game set in a dystopian future where the world has depleted its natural resources, leaving it on the brink of extinction. Players take on the role of a character who must traverse through the broken remains of Jericho City in hopes of not only surviving through it but also looking to uncover a big conspiracy brewing underneath.

Players in this game will explore the ruined linear world of Jericho City, which is full of opportunities to explore and interesting characters to meet. Players will also engage in brutal combat sequences against unforgiving enemies throughout the game, but they will have to dodge and parry their attacks and combos if they wish to progress further in the game, as the enemies are more than capable of dropping them in a couple of hits.

Giving the tried-and-tested Dark Souls formula is an inspired choice by the developers of this game and acts as a great option for someone looking for a dystopian Dark Souls clone that not only has all the familiar features fans of this genre will most probably be well-versed with but is also brave enough to add its unique sci-fi elements to the game as well.

15) Kingdoms Of Amalur: Re-Reckoning

Kingdoms of Amalur: ReReckoning is a third-person, single-player, action-adventure game in which players take on the role of The Fateless One as he/she ventures through the fantasy world of Faelands to save a world from endless conflict and control the keys of immortality.

In this game, players will not only explore the sprawling world of Faelands and engage in various quests and activities, but they will also battle various varieties of foes in an intense RPG-like fashion by utilizing the various skills, abilities, armor, and weapons at their disposal to come out on top.

This game shares a similar medieval fantasy setting with the iconic Dark Souls games, only here the world feels a bit more alive, unlike other hardcore Souls games where the aesthetic is a bit too grim. On the default difficulty, Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is a fairly straightforward game, but when the difficulty is raised to hard or above, the game becomes more punishing like most other souls.

16) Nioh 2

Nioh 2 is a third-person, action-adventure soulslike game in which players play as Hide, a half-yokai, who journeys through ruined areas of Sengoku Era Japan to put an end to the schemes and tricks of the mysterious entity Kashin Koji, who has linked itself to the yokai, Otakemaru, with the help of various allies.

In this game, players will engage with various other vicious Yokai from other realms in brutal tactical combat scenarios where players will have to not only use their weapons and skills, but they will also need to utilize Hide’s unique shift abilities to transform themselves into a being that is more powerful and unrelenting to battle tougher Yokai later in the game.

Are you looking for a Fuedal Japan-themed Dark Souls experience? If yes, then this game is perfect for you all. It will give gamers a peak into Japanese mythology and the relentless, ruthless, methodical combat mechanics that made the Dark Souls games series memorable in the first place.

17) Monster Hunter World

Monster Hunter World is a third-person, action-adventure, monster-hunting game in which players take on the role of a custom-created hunter who must embark on a monster-hunting adventure to try and hunt for some of the most formidable monsters this ecosystem has to offer.

In this game, players will visit various living and breathing ecosystems to hunt for monsters of all shapes and sizes using various tools and weapons. On defeating the monsters, players will be able to harvest rare resources, which they can utilize to strengthen their weapons and armor further and take down even more powerful beasts moving forward.

Although the setting of Monster Hunter World is much livelier than the grim setting of Dark Souls, both games require players to go into battle against monsters, preferably equipped with their best armor and weapon.

Moreover, the battle against the monsters in this game requires players to keep chipping away at the monster’s health while dodging and parrying their various counter-attacks, so if you like hunting huge monsters through Dark Souls-like tactical combat mechanics, then this game is a must for you.

18) Ashen

Ashen is a third-person,action-adventure soulslike game in which players are wanderers searching for a new place to call home.

In this game, players will explore a sunless, open world full of opportunities and dangers. The game follows the soulslike gameplay formula, which means players have every encounter with a foe is tactical and methodical, where recklessness is brutally punished, and patience is rewarded.

Moreover, the game does not have a stats page that is normally seen in other traditional RPGs where players spend their earned skill points to enhance their characters. Instead, players will be presented with powerful talismans and equipment that they can use to upgrade/enhance their powers in the game to be able to take on stronger enemies.

If you’re looking for a ‘lite’ version of a soulslike game that does enough to differentiate itself from the plethora of other games already present in this crowded genre, do try this game.

19) Sifu

Sifu is an extremely challenging third-person, roguelike action game in which players play as an unnamed character, referred to only as the martial arts artist, as he goes on a vengeful revenge tour to take out the four disgraced students, Fajar, Sean, Kuroki, and Jinfeng after they attacked their martial arts school and killed their Sifu, who also happened to be the player character’s father.

Being a beat ’em up-souls-like game, players in Sifu must take out various waves on enemies as they march forth in their all-important revenge quest but have to avoid dying, as every time they die and come back, they age a few years. In this game, players will need to master all the intricacies and techniques of Martial arts to perfection if they wish to survive more than a few punches and kicks.

This a unique take on the popular soulslike formula and acts as a great choice for someone looking for something different to try. It is worth pointing out that this does become easier the more players get better at the combat and movement mechanics of the game but the initial learning curve is brutal and punishing.

20) Darksiders 3

Darksiders 3 is a third-person, hack-n-slash, action-adventure game that moves away from the series’ RPG mechanics and adopts a more soulslike approach. Players in this game take on the role of a mage, Fury, one of the Four Horsemen of Apocalypse, as she goes on a quest to capture the physical embodiments of the seven deadly sins.

Since this game now borrows features from other Soulslike games, players will need to battle various forms of daunting creatures with a variety of melee and magical weapons to prevail in their journey. Players will also earn numerous skill points and currency by doing quests and killing enemies that they can spend on upgrading Fury’s powers to enable her to defeat stronger foes.

So, if you’re a fan of both the Darksiders and Dark Souls game series, then this game acts as a great option for you to give a try since the game tries to combine the best aspects of both the games, and although a few features don’t click in our opinion, it is still a fun ride to be on nonetheless, if you’re into this genre of games.

21) Blasphemous 2

Blasphemous is a 2-D, Metroidvania-Soulslike game in which the players take on the role of a silent knight, called the Penitent One, as he embarks on a perilous journey through a new kingdom to prevent the reincarnation of an evil curse known as ‘The Miracle’.

The world the players will traverse through is filled with various challenging foes, deadly traps, and brutal bosses that they must avoid and banish to reach their desired goal.

To help them in their journey, however, players will have access to various powerful weaponry like the Praying Blade, War Censer, Rapiers, etc., each coming with their distinct strengths and drawbacks, that they can use to not only fight foes but also for traversal purposes.

Players particularly looking for a punishing 2-D side-scroller game that takes clear inspiration from the iconic Dark Souls will have a great time with this game, as apart from their obvious visual differences, these two games have a lot in common, in regards to their grim setting, challenging enemies and brutal combat mechanics and should be a treat for any fan of this genre.

22) Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a first-person, action-adventure game with Soulslike elements set in the medieval kingdom of Bohemia in which players play as Henry, son of a blacksmith, as he goes through an emotional and challenging journey of not only avenging the death of his family but also to protect his Kingdom from various invading forces.

In essence, Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a story-focused action RPG but thanks to its realistic-life-simulation type gameplay and extremely tactical combat mechanics, it gives us no reason not to put it in the same bracket as the extremely challenging gameplay mechanics of the Dark Souls game.

If you’re looking to play a full-fledge story-focused RPG that has a few gameplay mechanics that are as difficult as battle Dragon Slayer Ornstein and his executioner buddy Smough in Dark Souls 1, then Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a great game for you to indulge in.

23) Asterigos: Curse of the Stars

Asterigos: Curse of the Stars is a single-player, third-person, action-adventure RPG where players play as a young warrior named Hilda, who travels to the cursed city of Aphes to rescue her lost father.

In this game, players will explore a sprawling open world inspired by Greek mythology and engage in exhilarating combat encounters with various imposing enemy bosses, who may not necessarily be as difficult to take down for seasoned Dark Souls players, but they do still pose a proper challenge for casual players.

Players can dual-wield weapons of their choice for maximum effectiveness in battle and can switch them on the go if they prefer something different. There are no quest markers or maps in this game as well, so players who are used to navigating the world of Dark Souls, or any souls-inspired game for that matter, should feel right at home.

If you’re looking for a game that provides a livelier twist on the Souls formula but still manages to retain most of the key elements of a good soulslike game, then Asterigo: Curse of the Stars is a must-try title for you.

24) Kena: Bridge Of Spirits

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a third-person, single-player, action-adventure game in which players take on the role of a magical spirit guide named Kena, who traverses through the lands of the spirits and frees trapped spirits along her way to the sacred mountain shrine.

In this game, players will freely explore the linear yet beautiful world of the trapped spirit realm as they collect collectibles, defeat menacing bosses, and acquire adorable companions called Rot, who will look to assist Kena in her travels by either moving objects, distracting enemies, etc.

Players can utilize the various magical abilities at Kena’s disposal to take down angry spirits trapped in the spirit village. Although the game may not look like it, the combat in this game has enough challenge in itself to entertain even the most battle-hardened veterans of Dark Soul games, with some players going as far as calling this game a perfect mix between Pixar and Dark Souls, or ‘Pixarsouls’.

If you’re looking for a heartwarming adventure with relatable characters, engaging yet tactical combat, and a beautiful in-game world to explore, then this game is worth checking out.

25) Tunic

Tunic is a single-player, isometric, action-adventure RPG in which players take control of a fox looking to traverse through a treacherous fantasy land to not only take on a special adventure with a special purpose but in the process, also try and rebuild a sacred instruction manual, page-by-page, that has been lying in tatters for far too long.

In this game, players will explore a beautiful, hand-crafted linear map full of secrets, enemies, and opportunities that they are encouraged to find on their own as the game does not have a dedicated in-game map of its own or provide any decipherable clues, as all the glyphs and sign are written in a coded language.

Enemies in this game are punishing and will be looking to end the player’s journey in a jiffy, hence players will need to engage in tactical combat and dodge, strike, and block their way through them to reach their ultimate goal.

All-in-in, if you’re looking to try a cute-looking, action RPG with excellent soulslike combat mechanics, a beautifully-crafted world to explore and uncover numerous secrets, and just enough storyline to guide you through the game, then do give Tunic a try.

26) Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time

Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time is a third-person, single-player, action-adventure game in which players take on the role of one of the best samurai ever, Samurai Jack, as he travels in time to finally put an end to the evil Aku’s schemes and tricks. This game acts as an alternate ending to the events that happened in the final season of the popular TV series centered around the same character.

In this game, players will have a large collection of melee and ranged weapons to choose from when looking to engage in various combat scenarios when fighting Aku’s minions. Although not too tactical, the enemies in this game do have their specific strengths and weaknesses, especially a few bosses, that the players will have to be mindful of when battling them.

Unlike the Dark Souls games, the world is pretty linear in this game, but each location does have a few branching routes that lead to some secrets to uncover or collectibles to collect.

There are only a handful of games over the years that have justified the movies or shows they were based on, so if you’ve been a fan of this TV show and are on the lookout for a good Samurai Jack game that has most of the elements of a Dark Souls game but is much more accessible, then this nostalgic journey is worth experiencing at least once.

Conclusion

That’s it, guys! These were some of the best soulslike games we could find so far that are relatively easier than the iconic Dark Souls game.

Please note that game difficulty is mostly subjective, so players should approach the titles mentioned in this article with caution, as some of the games on this list come with an extremely challenging learning curve that players will have to master before they start finding the games easier.

Please keep coming back to this post from time to time as we’ll keep updating this post with more related games as and when they are released.