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 43.9%, Dark Fantasy 16.3%, Difficult 12.3%, RPG 4.9%, Third Person 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: It delivers the closest overall match in tone, checkpoint-based progression, stamina combat, online features, and brutal boss-driven dark-fantasy action.

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 46.4%, Dark Fantasy 13.4%, Difficult 10.5%, RPG 5%, Action RPG 3.7%

Why You'll Like It: As the most foundational Souls formula on Steam, it shares the same deliberate melee combat, cryptic worldbuilding, and oppressive exploration loop.

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 45.7%, Dark Fantasy 14.5%, Difficult 11.6%, RPG 5.6%, Action RPG 4.9%

Why You'll Like It: It expands the Dark Souls formula into a larger world while keeping the same build variety, punishing encounters, and grim fantasy atmosphere.

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 38.8%, Dark Fantasy 16.8%, Action RPG 7.6%, RPG 6.6%, Character Customization 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: Its weighty combat, dark medieval world, bonfire-like structure, and seamless co-op make it one of the strongest non-FromSoftware matches.

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 55.6%, Dark Fantasy 13.9%, Difficult 7.4%, Action RPG 5.6%, Third Person 4.7%

Why You'll Like It: It nails the tense dodge-and-guard rhythm, hostile level design, and unforgiving boss fights that make Souls-style progression so satisfying.

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 38.5%, Difficult 13.7%, Dark Fantasy 10.7%, RPG 8.4%, Character Customization 7.7%

Why You'll Like It: While faster and loot-heavier, it offers deep character customization, demanding melee combat, and the same high-stakes death-and-retry loop.

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 53.4%, Dark Fantasy 15.5%, Difficult 10.2%, RPG 5.6%, Action RPG 4.2%

Why You'll Like It: Its slower, heavier pacing and bleak atmosphere feel especially close to Dark Souls II’s more deliberate style of combat.

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 57.9%, Difficult 10.3%, Dark Fantasy 9.9%, RPG 5.4%, Action RPG 3.7%

Why You'll Like It: It mixes punishing stamina-based combat and layered RPG systems in a way that strongly appeals to players who enjoy tough build-focused action RPGs.

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

Why similar: Souls-like 51.6%, Dark Fantasy 12.6%, Action RPG 7.8%, RPG 6.5%, Third Person 5.1%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the lonely-yet-cooperative Souls feel with stamina combat, dangerous exploration, and a somber world built around survival.

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 47.3%, Difficult 10.4%, Character Customization 8.2%, Dark Fantasy 7%, Action RPG 6.8%

Why You'll Like It: Its companion-friendly Souls structure, strong character building, and challenging combat make it a great pick if you want more build experimentation.

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 71.7%, Difficult 8%, RPG 7.7%, Third Person 3.4%, Character Customization 2.9%

Why You'll Like It: It translates the Souls formula into sci-fi while preserving methodical duels, shortcut-based exploration, and meaningful build choices.

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

Why similar: Souls-like 39.1%, Dark Fantasy 15%, Difficult 13.9%, Action RPG 7.2%, RPG 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: It is more aggressive and parry-focused, but still offers punishing encounters, RPG progression, and that familiar cycle of mastering lethal enemies.

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 59.3%, Co-op 8.3%, Difficult 7.8%, RPG 7.6%, Dark Fantasy 6.9%

Why You'll Like It: It adapts the Souls formula to ranged combat while keeping the checkpoint loop, tough bosses, co-op play, and harsh world design.

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 57.3%, Difficult 18.8%, Dark Fantasy 7.3%, Third Person 4.9%, Action 2.9%

Why You'll Like It: It is less of an RPG, but its intense difficulty, oppressive world, and exacting combat mastery scratch the same challenge-driven itch.

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 59.3%, Co-op 9.9%, RPG 8.2%, Third Person 5.5%, Dark 4.5%

Why You'll Like It: Like its predecessor, it blends difficult boss fights, build crafting, and drop-in co-op into a very Souls-adjacent progression structure.

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 41.8%, Dark Fantasy 16.6%, Difficult 10.4%, RPG 6.6%, Action RPG 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: Though clunkier than newer entries, it mirrors Dark Souls II’s heavy movement, dark-fantasy setting, and methodical combat style closely.

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 75.6%, Difficult 9.2%, RPG 6%, Third Person 4.5%, Action 2.2%

Why You'll Like It: Its slower, weightier combat and careful stamina management make it a strong fit for fans of Dark Souls II’s more deliberate tempo.

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 49.9%, RPG 7.7%, Difficult 7.6%, Action RPG 6.7%, Co-op 6.2%

Why You'll Like It: Its bleak sci-fi labyrinths, stamina-based combat, and co-op-friendly Souls framework make it a strong niche alternative.

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%, Dark Fantasy 11.9%, Difficult 11.2%, Third Person 6.9%, RPG 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: It offers familiar dodge-heavy combat, dark atmosphere, and interconnected levels for players who want a more accessible Souls-like with the same structure.

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 42.8%, Dark Fantasy 14.5%, Difficult 14.4%, Action RPG 5.9%, Third Person 5%

Why You'll Like It: It focuses on difficult melee encounters and tight boss fights, delivering a compact but satisfying Souls-like challenge.

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 63.6%, Dark Fantasy 12.8%, Difficult 10.3%, RPG 4.4%, Action RPG 2.3%

Why You'll Like It: It distills Dark Souls-like progression, stamina management, and oppressive atmosphere into 2D while preserving the same punishing feel.

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%, Difficult 14%, Dark Fantasy 13.5%, RPG 6.9%, Action RPG 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: It keeps the dodge-counter rhythm and high-risk melee structure of Souls games while adding its own identity through masks and loadout swapping.

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 43.9%, Dark Fantasy 18.7%, Difficult 12.2%, Action RPG 7.9%, RPG 7.1%

Why You'll Like It: It leans hard into gloomy atmosphere, stamina-based combat, and punishing enemy design in a very traditional Souls-like mold.

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 44.1%, Dark Fantasy 16.6%, RPG 6.8%, Co-op 6.5%, Third Person 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: Its satirical tone is different, but its co-op-ready third-person combat and clear love of Dark Souls structure make it a solid match.

Developed in cooperation between Square Enix and Team NINJA (Koei Tecmo Games), STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN is a hard-core action RPG that takes the FINAL FANTASY series in a new direction. Experience the boldest and most merciless battles in FINAL FANTASY history.

Why similar: Souls-like 29.3%, Dark Fantasy 17%, Action RPG 12.2%, RPG 11.3%, Third Person 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: Its mission-based structure is different, but the demanding melee combat, RPG builds, and relentless enemy pressure make it a good fit.

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 63.1%, Dark Fantasy 14.5%, Difficult 7%, RPG 6.5%, Action RPG 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: It offers challenging boss fights, weighty combat, and bleak RPG progression in a 2D format that still feels strongly Souls-inspired.

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

Why similar: Souls-like 43.7%, Dark Fantasy 18.6%, Action RPG 9%, Character Customization 8.2%, Co-op 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: It adds co-op and class-building to a 2D Souls-like framework built around punishing hunts and hostile traversal.

In a vibrant undersea kingdom on the verge of collapse, a hermit crab embarks on a treasure hunt to buy back his repossessed shell. The second game from AGGRO CRAB.

Why similar: Souls-like 71.4%, Dark Fantasy 8.6%, Action RPG 5.4%, Third Person 4.1%, RPG 3.7%

Why You'll Like It: Despite its brighter look, it faithfully recreates Souls-style stamina combat, dodge timing, and exploration-based progression.

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 59.9%, Action RPG 11%, RPG 10.4%, Third Person 6.7%, Dark 4.2%

Why You'll Like It: Its lonely atmosphere, harsh combat, and ominous world design appeal to players who mainly want dark, hostile Souls-like exploration.

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 59.9%, Co-op 7%, Third Person 6.3%, Action RPG 6%, Multiplayer 5.9%

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 38.2%, Dark Fantasy 15.1%, Difficult 14%, Action RPG 7.5%, RPG 6.6%

Why You'll Like It: It is rougher than the higher-ranked options, but its party-swapping take on stamina-based Souls combat still fits the same challenge-focused niche.

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 47.7%, Dark Fantasy 15%, Difficult 10.6%, RPG 8%, Action RPG 5.5%

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 38.3%, Dark Fantasy 17.9%, Difficult 15.1%, RPG 6.1%, Action RPG 4.9%

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

Why similar: Dark Fantasy 19.7%, RPG 19.2%, Character Customization 15%, Action RPG 10.9%, Third Person 8%

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 37.7%, Dark Fantasy 13.2%, Difficult 12.9%, Action RPG 8.2%, RPG 6.8%

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 42.8%, Difficult 15.9%, Dark Fantasy 12%, Action RPG 8%, RPG 6.4%

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 57.3%, Dark Fantasy 23.8%, RPG 7.1%, Dark 4.4%, Fantasy 2.5%

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 62.4%, RPG 11%, Dark Fantasy 10.4%, Difficult 9.7%, Action 4.1%

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

Why similar: Souls-like 84.6%, Dark Fantasy 6%, Difficult 5.4%, RPG 2.9%, Action 1.1%

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 43.8%, Difficult 15.4%, Dark Fantasy 12.7%, Action RPG 7.9%, Third Person 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 64.3%, Difficult 11.6%, Co-op 9.4%, Multiplayer 3.5%, Third Person 3.4%

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 59.2%, Dark Fantasy 22.2%, Difficult 12.4%, Lore-Rich 2.8%, Action 1.9%

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 19.6%, Dark Fantasy 19%, Souls-like 15.8%, Third Person 12.5%, Action RPG 9.4%

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 38.5%, Dark Fantasy 16.7%, Difficult 13.5%, Action RPG 8.8%, RPG 7.3%

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 56.5%, Difficult 18.5%, Action RPG 9%, Fantasy 6.4%, Lore-Rich 5.7%

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 25.7%, Souls-like 24.1%, Difficult 17.5%, RPG 11.6%, Medieval 8.7%

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 37.3%, Dark Fantasy 16.3%, Difficult 13.9%, Action RPG 7.4%, Third Person 6.3%

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 45.8%, Dark Fantasy 20.4%, Action RPG 8.6%, RPG 7.9%, Third Person 5.5%

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 70.5%, Difficult 22%, Action 2.2%, Atmospheric 1.7%, Adventure 1.5%

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%, Dark Fantasy 17.1%, Difficult 15%, Action RPG 8.4%, RPG 5.9%

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 57.6%, RPG 11.9%, Action RPG 10.3%, Character Customization 9.9%, Action 4.5%

Engage in fluid 2D pixel art swordplay, hunt down witches, fight monsters and experience the age of high adventure. Enter the guild of the Crimson Capes and explore a fantasy world of Sword and Sorcery.

Why similar: Souls-like 47.2%, Dark Fantasy 19%, Action RPG 9%, Medieval 5.9%, RPG 5.5%

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 12.3%, Dark Fantasy 11.5%, Action RPG 10.1%, RPG 5%

Battle your way through the grim Underground world in this brutal action-adventure RPG. Exterminate hordes of enemies, fight dangerous bosses and explore the world the way you want!

Why similar: Souls-like 37.3%, Dark Fantasy 16%, Difficult 14.3%, Action RPG 7.6%, RPG 6.5%

A Souls-inspired action RPG set in a sandbox open world with an MMO feel and challenging directional combat. Play solo or with up to 3 friends in co-op. Build friendships, master an unrestricted class system, and uncover the cause that darkened all eyes.

Why similar: Souls-like 37.4%, Dark Fantasy 16.1%, Action RPG 7.5%, Character Customization 7.3%, RPG 6.4%

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 28.5%, RPG 20.4%, Action RPG 19.1%, Co-op 10.2%, Dark 7%

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 26.2%, Dark Fantasy 24.4%, Third Person 10.8%, Difficult 10.2%, Fantasy 8.6%

No remarkable journey is achieved without great effort. In Outward, the cold of the night or an infected wound can be as dangerous as a predator lurking in the dark. Explore the vast world of Aurai solo or in Co-op. The Definitive Edition features both DLCs and quality of life improvements.

Why similar: Souls-like 41.9%, RPG 19.3%, Co-op 10.9%, Difficult 10.2%, Third Person 5%

Start your journey in a dark fantasy world. Prepare to face challenging enemies with Swords, Bows and powerful Magics. Choose your path! Fight, Craft, Explore and find out the dark secret of The Altered Lands.

Why similar: Souls-like 40.1%, Difficult 14.9%, Dark Fantasy 14.2%, Action RPG 6.5%, RPG 6.5%