Key Takeaways
- Elden Ring is the best overall soulslike in 2026 — open world, stunning visuals, and the most accessible FromSoftware title yet
- Hades is the top pick for beginners who want to experience the genre without the brutal frustration curve
- Hollow Knight is the best soulslike under $20 and arguably one of the greatest games ever made
- Dark Souls III remains the purest expression of what a soulslike can be for veterans of the genre
- Lies of P is the best recent soulslike released outside FromSoftware — a must-play for fans of the genre
- The best soulslike games reward patience and learning over raw skill — every death teaches you something
Overview — What Makes a Game a Soulslike?
The soulslike genre takes its name from FromSoftware's Demon's Souls (2009), but the design philosophy it represents has spread across the entire games industry. The best soulslike games share a handful of defining characteristics that create their unique, addictive tension: combat that demands precision and punishes button-mashing, a resource-loss system when you die, environments that reward exploration, and narrative delivery through cryptic item descriptions and environmental storytelling rather than cutscenes.
What separates the best soulslike games from the rest is not raw difficulty — it is fairness. Every death in a well-designed soulslike teaches you something. A boss move you didn't react to, a trap you walked into, a decision to fight when you should have fled. The games in this list are difficult, but they are never unfair. That distinction matters enormously when choosing where to start.
The genre has expanded dramatically since the original Dark Souls in 2011. Today, the best soulslike games include 2D indie titles, roguelike hybrids, and massive open-world RPGs. Whether you are a complete newcomer to the genre or a veteran looking for your next challenge, there has never been a better year to explore what soulslikes have to offer.
Step-by-Step — How to Choose the Right Soulslike for You
Picking your first (or next) soulslike game comes down to a few key questions. Work through these steps to find your perfect match.
Step 1 — Assess your experience level. If you have never played a soulslike, start with Hades or Dead Cells. Both use roguelike structure that reframes death as progression rather than setback. If you have completed one soulslike and want more, Hollow Knight or Dark Souls III are the natural next steps.
Step 2 — Decide on your preferred playstyle. Do you prefer methodical, stamina-managed melee combat? Dark Souls III and Elden Ring are built for that. Do you prefer faster, dodge-heavy action? Dead Cells and Hades will suit you better. Do you love exploration and interconnected maps? Hollow Knight is unmatched.
Step 3 — Consider your platform. PC and PlayStation 5 players have access to the full catalogue. Nintendo Switch players should prioritise Hollow Knight and Hades — both are outstanding on handheld. Xbox players have access to all major soulslike titles via Game Pass, making Elden Ring and Lies of P available at low cost.
Step 4 — Set a budget. Hollow Knight is $14.99 and one of the greatest games ever made. Hades is regularly on sale for under $20. If you are budget-constrained, the indie options in this list are not compromises — they are genuine masterpieces.
The Best Soulslike Games in 2026 — Full Rankings
1. Elden Ring — Best Overall
Elden Ring is the pinnacle of the best soulslike games available today. FromSoftware's open-world masterpiece won Game of the Year 2022 and has only grown in stature since, with the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC adding another 30+ hours of content. The open world structure means you can explore your way around difficulty spikes — if a boss is too hard, go somewhere else, level up, and come back. This flexibility makes Elden Ring the most accessible FromSoftware title and the best starting point for players willing to invest in a full-scale soulslike experience.
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S | Price: $59.99 (often on sale)
2. Hades — Best for Beginners
Hades reframes the soulslike genre through a roguelike lens. Every run through the procedurally generated underworld is different, and death is woven into the narrative — your character, Zagreus, literally cannot die permanently because he is the son of Hades. This framing removes the sting of failure and makes the game uniquely welcoming for soulslike newcomers. The fast, fluid combat is exceptional, and the writing is among the best in any video game. Among the best soulslike games for someone completely new to the genre, Hades has no equal.
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch | Price: $24.99 (regularly on sale)
3. Hollow Knight — Best Indie Soulslike
Among the best soulslike games available for under $20, Hollow Knight stands completely alone. Team Cherry's underground insect kingdom is one of the most beautifully realised game worlds ever created, and its interconnected map system rewards exploration in a way few games match. The combat is precise and demanding, the boss fights are extraordinary, and the sheer amount of content — 40+ hours on a first playthrough — makes it one of the best value games in history. For the best soulslike experience that won't break your budget, Hollow Knight is the definitive answer.
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch | Price: $14.99
4. Dark Souls III — Best for Purists
If you want to understand why the soulslike genre exists — why it captured millions of players and spawned an entire genre — Dark Souls III is the game to play. The level design is intricate and interconnected, the boss roster is the strongest in the Souls series, and the balance between challenge and reward is nearly perfect. Dark Souls III is the best soulslike for players who want no concessions: no open world to soften the edges, no roguelike reframing, just the purest distillation of what the genre can be.
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S | Price: $39.99 (often on sale)
5. Lies of P — Best Modern Non-FromSoftware Soulslike
Lies of P — a dark retelling of Pinocchio set in a crumbling Belle Époque city — is the best soulslike released by a non-FromSoftware studio. The combat system, which centres on a nuanced parry mechanic, is excellent, and the game's world design draws obvious inspiration from the Souls series while finding a distinctive visual identity. Among the best soulslike games released in 2023-2026, Lies of P stands comfortably alongside FromSoftware's own output. A sequel is in development.
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S | Price: $59.99 (on sale regularly)
6. Sekiro — Shadows Die Twice — Best for Veterans
Sekiro is the hardest game FromSoftware has ever made and arguably the most skill-intensive of all the best soulslike games. Its posture-and-parry combat system has no build diversity — there is one weapon, one playstyle, and no option to grind your way past a difficulty spike. Every boss must be learned, mastered, and beaten on its own terms. The payoff for doing so is some of the most satisfying combat in video game history. Sekiro is not for beginners, but for veteran players seeking the ultimate soulslike challenge, it is exceptional.
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S | Price: $59.99
7. Dead Cells — Best Fast-Paced Soulslike
Dead Cells blends soulslike difficulty with roguelike progression in a relentlessly fast 2D action game. Unlike the methodical pace of most soulslike games, Dead Cells rewards aggression and speed. The procedurally generated levels ensure every run feels fresh, and the unlockable weapon variety is enormous. Dead Cells is the best soulslike games entry point for players who love action games but find the slower pace of Elden Ring or Dark Souls off-putting.
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch | Price: $24.99
Tips for Soulslike Beginners
Learning the best soulslike games takes time, but these principles will accelerate your progress significantly.
Die intentionally at first. Spend your first hour exploring the opening area without trying to survive. Learn enemy attack patterns, find shortcuts, discover what the environment wants to teach you. Treat your early deaths as a tutorial, not a failure.
Never panic roll. Rolling in soulslike games has invincibility frames — specific moments during the animation where you cannot take damage. Learning to roll at the right moment rather than spam-rolling is the single most important mechanical skill in the genre.
Explore before fighting. If a boss is destroying you, the game may be telling you to come back later. Soulslike games are designed to have multiple paths forward. Explore, level up your character or collect new weapons, and return when you feel stronger.
Read item descriptions. The best soulslike games tell their story through environmental details and item descriptions, not cutscenes. Reading carefully rewards you with lore, hidden mechanical knowledge, and a deeper appreciation for the game world.
Join a community. Every major soulslike has an active community on Reddit, Discord, and dedicated wikis. These communities are overwhelmingly welcoming to new players and can provide hints, builds, and encouragement when you get stuck.
Frequently Asked Questions
See the FAQ section above for our answers to the most common questions about the best soulslike games.
References
- Elden Ring on Metacritic — 96/100, highest-rated game of 2022
- Hollow Knight on Steam — 98% positive reviews from 200,000+ players
- Hades on Metacritic — 93/100, winner of numerous GOTY awards
