Games Like DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin

Dark Souls continues to push the boundaries with the latest, ambitious chapter in the critically-acclaimed and genre-defining series. Prepare yourself and Embrace The Darkness!

Why similar: Souls-like 44.6%, Dark Fantasy 15.7%, Difficult 12.6%, RPG 4.9%, Third Person 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: The closest follow-up to Scholar of the First Sin, preserving its punishing melee combat, grim lore, build variety, invasions, and co-op progression.

Then, there was fire. Re-experience the critically acclaimed, genre-defining game that started it all. Beautifully remastered, return to Lordran in stunning high-definition detail running at 60fps.

Why similar: Souls-like 47%, Dark Fantasy 13%, Difficult 10.8%, RPG 5%, Action RPG 3.7%

Why You'll Like It: Its methodical stamina combat, interconnected hostile world, cryptic storytelling, and multiplayer systems established the foundation that Dark Souls II expands upon.

THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED FANTASY ACTION RPG. Rise, Tarnished, and be guided by grace to brandish the power of the Elden Ring and become an Elden Lord in the Lands Between.

Why similar: Souls-like 46.3%, Dark Fantasy 14%, Difficult 11.9%, RPG 5.6%, Action RPG 4.9%

Why You'll Like It: It brings Dark Souls-style buildcraft, difficult bosses, multiplayer summoning, and ominous fantasy exploration into a vast open world.

A vast world awaits in the medieval, dark fantasy action-RPG, Lords of the Fallen. As a fabled Dark Crusader, embark on an epic quest to overthrow Adyr, the demon God. The final major update Version 2.5 is out now: features deadlier boss battles and all-new Veteran Mode.

Why similar: Souls-like 39.9%, Dark Fantasy 16.4%, Action RPG 7.6%, RPG 6.7%, Character Customization 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: This modern soulslike offers weighty combat, extensive build customization, co-op, and a bleak dual-realm world built around dangerous exploration.

Battle hordes of yokai in this masocore Action RPG. Create your protagonist and embark on an adventure through a myriad of locales across Japan during the Sengoku period. Utilize the new Yokai Shift ability to defeat even the most ferocious yokai and be prepared to brave through Dark Realms created by your enemies.

Why similar: Souls-like 39.5%, Difficult 13.9%, Dark Fantasy 10.3%, RPG 8.4%, Character Customization 7.5%

Why You'll Like It: It combines demanding stamina management and punishing bosses with exceptionally deep weapon, loot, magic, and character-customization systems.

Lies of P is a thrilling soulslike that takes the story of Pinocchio, turns it on its head, and sets it against the darkly elegant backdrop of the Belle Epoque era.

Why similar: Souls-like 56.3%, Dark Fantasy 13.3%, Difficult 7.9%, Action RPG 5.5%, Third Person 4.6%

Why You'll Like It: Its precise defensive combat, dark decaying world, intricate level shortcuts, and buildable weapon system strongly capture the tense Souls experience.

Their Flesh is Your Armor. Mortal Shell is a deep action-RPG that tests your sanity and resilience in a shattered world. Survival demands superior awareness, precision, and instincts. Possess lost warriors, track down hidden sanctums of the devout, and face formidable foes.

Why similar: Souls-like 54.3%, Dark Fantasy 15%, Difficult 10.3%, RPG 5.6%, Action RPG 4.1%

Why You'll Like It: A compact and somber soulslike centered on deliberate combat, cryptic exploration, vulnerable healing windows, and flexible shell-based builds.

Ready to die? Experience the newest brutal action game from Team NINJA and Koei Tecmo Games. In the age of samurai, a lone traveler lands on the shores of Japan. He must fight his way through the vicious warriors and supernatural Yokai that infest the land in order to find that which he seeks.

Why similar: Souls-like 58.1%, Difficult 10.7%, Dark Fantasy 9.6%, RPG 5.4%, Action RPG 3.7%

Why You'll Like It: Its punishing encounters, shrine checkpoints, gear-driven builds, and demanding boss fights suit players who enjoy mastering Dark Souls II's systems.

In a bid to survive, explore the sprawling, devastated Jericho City. Fight ferocious threats in brutal, unforgiving combat, slashing and tearing the limbs off your opponents to steal their equipment.

Why similar: Souls-like 71.8%, Difficult 7.9%, RPG 7.8%, Third Person 3.4%, Character Customization 2.7%

Why You'll Like It: Its stamina-driven combat, risky corpse-run structure, branching levels, and targeted limb-looting system make it a particularly strong sci-fi alternative.

In the face of certain death, we rise. Team up and embark on a journey to the ends of hell to unlock your past and escape your living nightmare in CODE VEIN.

Why similar: Souls-like 47.9%, Difficult 10.5%, Character Customization 7.9%, Dark Fantasy 6.8%, Action RPG 6.8%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a highly customizable character, interchangeable combat builds, challenging bosses, companion support, and a dark ruined world.

Explore a haunting, punishing island in this stylized 2D action RPG. Salt and Sanctuary combines fast and brutal 2D combat with richly developed RPG mechanics in a cursed realm of forgotten cities, blood-soaked dungeons, and desecrated monuments.

Why similar: Souls-like 64.1%, Dark Fantasy 12.3%, Difficult 10.4%, RPG 4.4%, Action RPG 2.3%

Why You'll Like It: Despite its 2D perspective, it closely recreates Dark Souls' grim atmosphere, stamina combat, branching builds, boss design, and co-op.

Hellpoint is an intense action RPG taking place on Irid Novo, a derelict space station soaked in an intoxicating dark sci fi atmosphere. Fight dreadful creatures, face the Cosmic Gods and unravel their twisted story. Should the challenge be too great, play with a friend in local or online coop.

Why similar: Souls-like 50.3%, Difficult 7.8%, RPG 7.6%, Action RPG 6.7%, Co-op 6%

Why You'll Like It: It translates Dark Souls-like exploration, stamina combat, build variety, and co-op into an eerie cosmic-horror space station.

Ashen is an action RPG about a wanderer in search of a place to call home.

Why similar: Souls-like 52.2%, Dark Fantasy 12.2%, Action RPG 7.8%, RPG 6.5%, Third Person 5.2%

Why You'll Like It: Its lonely ruined-world atmosphere, deliberate melee encounters, open-ended exploration, and seamless companion or co-op support echo the quieter side of Dark Souls II.

The world has been thrown into chaos by an ancient evil from another dimension. As one of the last remnants of humanity, you must set out alone or alongside up to two other survivors to face down hordes of deadly enemies to try to carve a foothold, rebuild, and retake what was lost.

Why similar: Souls-like 59.6%, Co-op 8.1%, Difficult 8%, RPG 7.6%, Dark Fantasy 6.6%

Why You'll Like It: It adapts the Souls checkpoint, boss, build, and co-op loop into a challenging third-person shooter with procedurally varied worlds.

Welcome to CREO, the megacorporation saving the world! A catastrophic event has knocked you out during the first day on the job… you wake up equipped with a heavy-grade exoskeleton, in a destroyed section of the complex.

Why similar: Souls-like 75.5%, Difficult 9.4%, RPG 6%, Third Person 4.4%, Action 2.3%

Why You'll Like It: This slower, more methodical sci-fi soulslike emphasizes stamina, positional combat, dangerous industrial environments, and equipment progression through enemy dismemberment.

Game of the Year - The Game Awards 2019 Best Action Game of 2019 - IGN Carve your own clever path to vengeance in the award winning adventure from developer FromSoftware, creators of Bloodborne and the Dark Souls series. Take Revenge. Restore Your Honor. Kill Ingeniously.

Why similar: Souls-like 57.5%, Difficult 19.1%, Dark Fantasy 7%, Third Person 4.9%, Action 2.9%

Why You'll Like It: Its build options are narrower, but its lethal combat, oppressive world, checkpoint tension, and demanding boss mastery retain FromSoftware's signature challenge.

Enotria: The Last Song is a soulslike set in a beautiful sun-lit world inspired by Italian folklore where the brightest sun casts the darkest shadow. Wear unique role-altering masks, face formidable foes and alter reality with the power of Ardore to unravel the secrets of Enotria.

Why similar: Souls-like 41.4%, Difficult 14.3%, Dark Fantasy 13%, RPG 6.9%, Action RPG 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: Its stance-like mask system, elemental builds, deliberate combat, and enigmatic world make it a distinctive but recognizable soulslike journey.

A new dark fantasy Three Kingdoms action RPG from Team NINJA, the developers of Nioh.

Why similar: Souls-like 39.7%, Dark Fantasy 14.5%, Difficult 14.1%, Action RPG 7.2%, RPG 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced but demanding action RPG with morale-based risk management, punishing bosses, co-op, and a dark supernatural war setting.

The First Berserker: Khazan is a hardcore action role-playing game. The player will become Khazan, the great general of the Pell Los Empire, who overcame death, and sets out to reveal the incidents that led to his downfall and seek vengeance on his enemies.

Why similar: Souls-like 44.4%, Difficult 15.5%, Dark Fantasy 12.2%, Action RPG 7.9%, Third Person 6%

Why You'll Like It: This intense action soulslike delivers brutal boss-focused combat, precise dodging and parrying, equipment builds, and a bleak dark-fantasy tale.

Thymesia is a gruelling action-RPG with fast-paced combat and an intricate plague weapon system. In a kingdom where death spreads, play as a mysterious character known by the code name "Corvus". Prey upon your enemies, wield the power of disease and find the truth in your own memories.

Why similar: Souls-like 43.4%, Difficult 14.5%, Dark Fantasy 14%, Action RPG 6%, Third Person 5%

Why You'll Like It: Its aggressive parry-and-dodge combat, plague-ridden gothic setting, and customizable plague-weapon mechanics make for a focused Souls-inspired challenge.

REMNANT II® pits survivors of humanity against new deadly creatures and god-like bosses across terrifying worlds. Play solo or co-op with two other friends to explore the depths of the unknown to stop an evil from destroying reality itself.

Why similar: Souls-like 60.3%, Co-op 9.5%, RPG 8.1%, Third Person 5.4%, Dark 4.3%

Why You'll Like It: It expands the first Remnant's difficult co-op encounters and buildcraft with more varied archetypes, worlds, secrets, and replayability.

Paris, 1789. The French Revolution has been suppressed with bloodshed by Louis XVI and his merciless mechanical army. Aegis, a mysterious automaton masterpiece, must confront the king's army alone to save history in this challenging action-RPG.

Why similar: Souls-like 39.4%, Difficult 11.6%, Dark Fantasy 11.5%, Third Person 6.9%, RPG 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: A deliberate third-person soulslike with stamina management, customizable automaton builds, and a dark alternate-history setting full of dangerous machines.

The Last Hero of Nostalgaia is a satirical action-adventure, brought to life by a twisted and wicked tale. Featuring hard but fair combat, *full character customization, unique battle armor and engaging narrative mechanics rich in lore, Nostalgaia plunges you into almost certain death at every turn.

Why similar: Souls-like 45.3%, Dark Fantasy 16%, RPG 6.8%, Third Person 6.4%, Co-op 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: Behind its comedy and meta-commentary is a genuine third-person soulslike with stamina combat, builds, difficult bosses, and co-op.

In the distant future when civilization is on the verge of extinction, people follow the legend of the Elysium in the last city, Havenswell. In this post-apocalyptic wasteland sci-fi ARPG, you will play as Arrisa, a Blader with immortality, and explore the city ruin to find the hope of a new life.

Why similar: Souls-like 74.3%, Action RPG 11.6%, RPG 6.9%, Action 2.4%, Difficult 1.8%

Why You'll Like It: This anime-styled soulslike features oppressive ruined environments, deliberate close-range combat, difficult bosses, and exploration built around resource management.

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers is a soulslike, action RPG set in the land of Shu during the dark and tumultuous late Ming Dynasty, plagued with warring factions and a mysterious illness spawning monstrous creatures.

Why similar: Souls-like 46.5%, Difficult 12.8%, Dark Fantasy 11.2%, Action RPG 7.3%, Third Person 5%

Why You'll Like It: Its dark Ming-era fantasy, demanding melee combat, weapon builds, and corruption-driven mechanics fit well beside traditional third-person soulslikes.

Blade of Darkness is a hardcore fantasy action-adventure with unique combat mechanics and role-playing elements that pioneered the “soulsborne” genre. Pick one of four characters to hack and slash through a gory quest to save the world from the forces of Chaos.

Why similar: Souls-like 38.7%, Dark Fantasy 17.4%, Difficult 15.5%, RPG 6.1%, Action RPG 4.9%

Why You'll Like It: A brutal dark-fantasy action RPG and important Souls precursor, built around weighty weapon combat, hostile levels, and unforgiving enemy encounters.

Join your fellow Marked Inquisitors in this online coop successor to award-winning 2016 Soulslike Salt and Sanctuary.

Why similar: Souls-like 44.4%, Dark Fantasy 18.1%, Action RPG 9.1%, Character Customization 8%, Co-op 7.4%

Why You'll Like It: It retains the 2D Souls structure of Salt and Sanctuary while adding hunt-based progression, build customization, and online co-op.

Death's Gambit: Afterlife is a challenging 2D action platformer with deep RPG elements. As an agent of Death bound to his service, unravel the mystery of Siradon and discover the true price of immortality.

Why similar: Souls-like 63.3%, Dark Fantasy 14.1%, Difficult 7.2%, RPG 6.5%, Action RPG 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: This 2D action RPG combines grim fantasy, difficult boss fights, stat builds, multiple classes, and exploration-heavy level design.

Destroy... Absorb... Grow... GRIME is a fast and unforgiving Action-Adventure RPG in which you crush your foes with living weapons that mutate form and function, and then consume their remains with a black hole to strengthen your vessel as you break apart a world of anatomical horror and intrigue.

Why similar: Souls-like 46.3%, Dark Fantasy 18.3%, Difficult 16.5%, Action RPG 7.5%, Dark 3.7%

Why You'll Like It: Its surreal, oppressive world and deliberate 2D combat reward careful timing, build experimentation, exploration, and repeated boss mastery.

ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN is a standalone adventure within the ELDEN RING universe, crafted to offer players a new gaming experience by reimagining the game’s core design.

Why similar: Souls-like 60.9%, Co-op 6.8%, Third Person 6.2%, Action RPG 5.9%, Multiplayer 5.7%

Their Flesh Is Your Weapon. Mortal Shell II is a standalone sequel action-RPG with adrenaline-charged, high-stakes combat. Possess warrior Shells, dethrone false gods, redeem a ravaged world.

Why similar: Souls-like 42.4%, Dark Fantasy 16.3%, Difficult 12.5%, Action RPG 7.3%, RPG 4.6%

Developed by FROM SOFTWARE, DARK SOULS™ II is the highly anticipated sequel to the gruelling 2011 breakout hit Dark Souls. The unique old-school action RPG experience captivated imaginations of gamers worldwide with incredible challenge and intense emotional reward.

Why similar: Souls-like 46.1%, Difficult 14.1%, Dark Fantasy 13.8%, RPG 7.6%, Action RPG 5.2%

Plunge into a dark fantasy Action-RPG, harnessing powerful magic alongside a satisfying combat system. When the tyrannical god, Adyr, invades the human realm seeking vengeance for his imprisonment, humanity calls upon an unlikely defender… a convicted sinner named Harkyn.

Why similar: Souls-like 42.5%, Dark Fantasy 15.9%, Difficult 10.7%, RPG 6.6%, Action RPG 5.8%

Pascal's Wager: Definitive Edition is a challenging action role playing game set in a world of dark fantasy. Step into the shoes of Couriers, as they discover the tale behind the mysterious Dark Mist.

Why similar: Souls-like 44.2%, Dark Fantasy 18%, Difficult 12.5%, Action RPG 7.9%, RPG 7.2%

Set in a huge open world, Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen presents a rewarding action combat experience.

Why similar: RPG 19.5%, Dark Fantasy 19.3%, Character Customization 14.6%, Action RPG 11.1%, Difficult 8.1%

Deathbound is a unique Soulslike. Build a party of four characters and instantly morph between them in and out of combat. Combine their abilities to pull off devastating attacks and slay those who stand before you.

Why similar: Souls-like 39.3%, Dark Fantasy 14.4%, Difficult 14.3%, Action RPG 7.5%, RPG 6.7%

Rediscover the dark fantasy classic that defined the modern ARPG genre; fully remastered with a new class, fresh content, quality‑of‑life upgrades, and an overhauled endgame. Chain brutal skill and item synergies, rise in power, and carve through Hell’s armies with up to eight players.

Why similar: Dark Fantasy 29.2%, RPG 21%, Action RPG 20.6%, Co-op 9.1%, Multiplayer 6.8%

Explore the last remnants of civilization in this vast, unforgiving, and interconnected world. Learn what is left of its history. Discover pockets of natural life in the perpetually expanding Omnistructure. Lose yourself in a journey unlike any other. Find your purpose in the world.

Why similar: Souls-like 60.4%, Action RPG 10.9%, RPG 10.2%, Third Person 6.6%, Dark 4.1%

Sinner: Sacrifice for Redemption is a boss battler action-RPG. Face eight abhorrent bosses, the first seven each based on one of the sins. Before each epic clash, you must sacrifice a stat and level down to enter combat. Each fight will be tougher than the last as you wage war against sin itself.

Why similar: Souls-like 42.1%, Difficult 15.8%, Dark Fantasy 11.3%, Action RPG 7.9%, RPG 6.3%

Serpent’s Gaze is a punishing 1-4 player co-op third-person action game where you fight tough enemies and relentless bosses, all while uncovering the secrets of an ancient desert.

Why similar: Souls-like 40.3%, Difficult 15.3%, Dark Fantasy 13.9%, Action RPG 7.2%, Co-op 6.7%

The ultimate DARKSIDERS II experience! 1080p native resolution. Reworked and tuned game balancing and loot distribution. Improved Graphic Render Engine for even higher visual quality, lighting and shadows. Improved and reworked level, character and environment graphics.

Why similar: RPG 19.5%, Dark Fantasy 18.6%, Souls-like 15.7%, Third Person 12.6%, Action RPG 9.4%

The Penitent One awakens as Blasphemous 2 joins him once again in an endless struggle against The Miracle. Dive into a perilous new world filled with mysteries and secrets to discover, and tear your way through monstrous foes that stand between you and your quest to end the cycle once and for all.

Why similar: Souls-like 43.4%, Difficult 25.4%, Dark Fantasy 12.8%, Action RPG 6.7%, Fantasy 4.7%

DarkMaus is an indie action RPG with challenging, skill-based combat that punishes careless play.

Why similar: Souls-like 84.9%, Dark Fantasy 5.7%, Difficult 5.4%, RPG 2.8%, Action 1.2%

Explore alternative realities while trying to save Your own from approaching annihilation. Dark fantasy rpg action game which will take You on a journey deep into the realms of Errent.

Why similar: Souls-like 62.6%, RPG 10.9%, Dark Fantasy 9.9%, Difficult 9.8%, Action 4.1%

In the third game in the dark samurai action RPG series Nioh, you will need to use both Samurai and Ninja combat styles in your battles against formidable yokai as you explore a thrilling open field.

Why similar: Souls-like 38.2%, Difficult 13.2%, Dark Fantasy 12.7%, Action RPG 8.2%, RPG 6.6%

Despair. Fear, Madness, once again. An original work based on "Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking-Glass." Dark Fairy Tale Fantasy x Psychological Horror RPG focusing on the themes of "Exploration of a Mad World" and "Life or Death Combat against Demonbeasts".

Why similar: Souls-like 56.6%, Dark Fantasy 24.1%, RPG 7.3%, Dark 4.6%, Story Rich 2.6%

NECROPOLIS: BRUTAL EDITION is a major update featuring a new playable adventurer (The Brute), a completely new outdoor environment (The Black Forest), and lots of new enemies, weapons, armor, traps, potions, scrolls, and other big improvements to the game.

Why similar: Souls-like 64.6%, Difficult 11.7%, Co-op 9%, Third Person 3.4%, Multiplayer 3.3%

Blasphemous is a brutal action-platformer with skilled hack’n slash combat set in the nightmare world of Cvstodia. Explore, upgrade your abilities, and perform savage executions on the hordes of enemies that stand between you and your quest to break eternal damnation.

Why similar: Souls-like 59.9%, Dark Fantasy 21.4%, Difficult 12.7%, Lore-Rich 2.7%, Action 1.9%

Embark upon a vast, snow-ravaged kingdom in Tails of Iron 2, sequel to the critically acclaimed action-RPG. As Arlo, heir to the Warden of the Wastes, adventure through harsh northern lands, home to giant beasts and ragtag bandits, in an epic quest to overcome an ancient, blood-starved evil.

Why similar: Souls-like 39.4%, Dark Fantasy 16.5%, Difficult 15.2%, Action RPG 8.5%, RPG 5.9%

Between our world and the world beyond lie the Titan Souls, the spiritual source of all living things. Scattered amongst the ruins and guarded by the idle titans charged with their care, a solitary hero armed with a single arrow is assembling shards of the Titan Soul in a quest for truth and power.

Why similar: Souls-like 70.3%, Difficult 22.3%, Action 2.2%, Atmospheric 1.6%, Adventure 1.6%

The new open world, spellcasting action-RPG. The grimoires have been stolen, civilisation is in ruins. Rise, Curator! Craft ancient elemental magics and challenge the great lords who threaten to fracture reality itself.

Why similar: Souls-like 37.7%, Dark Fantasy 15.8%, Difficult 14.2%, Action RPG 7.4%, Third Person 6.3%

An epic adventure awaits, where you and your chosen partners explore a post-apocalyptic world, face fierce battles against powerful enemies, and uncover an epic story that transcends time.

Why similar: Souls-like 56.7%, RPG 10.7%, Action RPG 9.7%, Character Customization 9.4%, Difficult 4.4%

Dark Fantasy Warrior is a third-person action role-playing game in Dark Souls style. Extremely dark, deep and DIFFICULT! All of that in this super action game and prepare to die. Are you ready to fight Darkness?

Why similar: Souls-like 46.4%, Dark Fantasy 19.8%, Action RPG 8.6%, RPG 7.9%, Third Person 5.5%

Explore, fight, survive and unravel mysteries in this unique and unforgiving 3D isometric RPG set in an original dark, low fantasy world. Exanima's exceptional attention to detail and realistic simulation of all things aim to provide a deeply immersive and dynamic gameplay experience.

Why similar: Dark Fantasy 25.2%, Souls-like 23.9%, Difficult 18.4%, RPG 11.6%, Medieval 8.6%

Journey into the ruthless open world of Pale Coins, an old-school fantasy RPG. Face punishing bosses, goblin-infested dungeons, and discover legendary weapons as you customize your champion and fight across Grenmark for the fabled Champion's Coin.

Why similar: Souls-like 39.1%, Dark Fantasy 16.1%, Difficult 13.7%, Action RPG 8.8%, RPG 7.3%

False Hero is a fast-paced soulslike adventure where you steal your enemies’ attacks and chain them into deadly combos. Explore the corrupted Land of the Gods and put your combat skills to the true test in challenging boss fights. Will you fight for the Gods or become an apostle of Death?

Why similar: Souls-like 44.4%, Dark Fantasy 18.9%, Difficult 16.9%, Third Person 7.4%, Atmospheric 4.1%

Tails of Iron is an epic RPG Adventure with punishingly brutal combat. As Redgi, heir to the throne, you must embark on a perilous quest to reclaim your Kingdom. Explore a deceivingly charming world. Assemble a band of brave companions. Banish the merciless Frog clan!

Why similar: Souls-like 42.4%, Difficult 12.6%, Dark Fantasy 11.3%, Action RPG 10.2%, RPG 4.9%

A time of untold chaos has come. Mighty forces clash behind the scenes in a struggle for power and influence. The Northern Kingdoms mobilize for war. But armies on the march are not enough to stop a bloody conspiracy...

Why similar: RPG 25.8%, Dark Fantasy 23.2%, Third Person 10.6%, Difficult 10.2%, Fantasy 8.3%

Plunge into high-stakes punishment platforming in JUMP KING QUEST! Explore alone or fall together in dynamic online climbing action as you fight your way upwards on an unhinged quest to The Smoking Hot Babe at The Top. In this world, every ledge is a battlefield…

Why similar: Souls-like 42.6%, Difficult 16.5%, Dark Fantasy 16.2%, Character Customization 7.5%, RPG 6.4%