19 Top Games Like Dark Souls for Challenge Seekers

If you’re a fan of challenging and rewarding gameplay, then you’ve likely heard of Dark Souls. Known for its unforgiving difficulty and atmospheric world, it has become a beloved franchise in the gaming community.

However, if you’re looking for more games like Dark Souls to test your skills and reflexes, then you’re in luck. There are plenty of similar titles available that offer similar gameplay and experiences as dark souls games.

1. Bloodborne

One of the most popular games like Dark Souls, is Bloodborne. Developed by FromSoftware, the same studio behind the Dark Souls series, Bloodborne takes place in a gothic, Victorian-inspired world. The game is known for its fast-paced combat, eldritch horror themes, and challenging bosses. If you’re a fan of Dark Souls, then Bloodborne is a must-play.

2. Ashen

Ashen is another game that fans of Dark Souls will love. This indie title features a unique art style and takes place in a desolate, sunless world. The gameplay is similar to Dark Souls, with challenging combat and a focus on exploration. One unique feature of Ashen is the ability to recruit NPCs to help you on your journey, adding an extra layer of depth to the gameplay.

3. Nioh 2

Nioh 2 is a game that draws heavy inspiration from the Dark Souls franchise. The game occurs in feudal Japan and features challenging combat against mythical creatures and otherworldly foes. The game also has a robust character creation system and offers a variety of weapons and playstyles to choose from.

4. Mortal Shell

Mortal Shell is a relatively new game that has gained much attention from Dark Souls fans. The game features challenging combat, intricate boss fights, and a unique mechanic that allows players to possess different shells to change their playstyle. It takes place in a dark just like Dark Souls game, foreboding world and offers plenty of secrets and hidden areas to explore.

5. The Surge

The Surge is a game that takes place in a dystopian future where humanity is on the brink of extinction. The game features challenging combat, intricate level design, and a focus on upgrading your character’s equipment. Besides, it also features unique mechanics like dismemberment, allowing players to target specific body parts to gain new equipment and abilities.

6. Dead Cells

Dead Cells is a game that takes inspiration from both Souls like games. The game features challenging combat and a focus on exploration, with randomly generated levels that offer plenty of replayability. It also features a unique permadeath mechanic, adding an extra layer of challenge to the gameplay.

7. Elden Ring

Elden Ring is an upcoming game from FromSoftware, the same studio behind the Dark Souls franchise. The game is highly anticipated by fans of the genre, featuring a vast open world, tight combat, and deep lore. The game also features a collaboration with famed author George R. R. Martin, adding even more excitement to the release.

8. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is another game from FromSoftware that draws inspiration from the Dark Souls franchise. The game takes place in feudal Japan and features challenging combat system against supernatural enemies. As one of miyazaki’s work, the game has unique traversal mechanics, allowing players to traverse levels with a grappling hook.

9. Titan Souls

Titan Souls is a game that takes inspiration from the boss fights of Dark Souls. The game features challenging battles against giant creatures, with each boss requiring a different strategy to defeat. It also features a unique mechanic where the player has only one arrow that can be retrieved after each shot.

10. Salt and Sanctuary

Salt and Sanctuary is a 2D game that draws inspiration from the Dark Souls franchise. The game features challenging combat, intricate level design, and a focus on exploration.

It also features a unique leveling system that allows players to choose which skills and abilities they want to upgrade as they progress through the game. The game’s dark and eerie atmosphere, along with its challenging gameplay, make it an excellent choice for fans of the Dark Souls franchise.

11. Hollow Knight

Hollow Knight is another 2D game that has gained popularity among fans of the Dark Souls franchise. The game features brutal combat system, a massive open world, and a unique art style. Besides, it also features a variety of bosses and enemies, each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Hollow Knight offers a rewarding experience for those looking for a challenging game similar to Dark Souls.

12. Dragon’s Dogma

Dragon’s Dogma is an action RPG that offers challenging combat and a vast open world to explore. The game features a unique pawn system, allowing players to recruit other players’ characters to fight alongside them. It has a day-night cycle and dynamic weather, which can impact gameplay and affect enemy behavior. Dragon’s Dogma is a great choice for fans of the Dark Souls franchise who are looking for a different setting and gameplay style.

13. Demon’s Souls

Demon’s Souls is the predecessor to the Dark Souls franchise and offers similar gameplay mechanics and difficulty. The game takes place in a dark and foreboding world with challenging bosses and enemies. The game also features unique mechanics like World Tendency, which can impact enemy behavior and the difficulty of certain areas. Demon’s Souls offers a great opportunity for fans of the Dark Souls franchise to experience where it all began.

14. Death’s Gambit

Death’s Gambit is a challenging, action-packed game developed by White Rabbit and published by Adult Swim Games. The game was inspired by the Dark Souls series, which has become synonymous with difficult and immersive gameplay.

In Death’s Gambit, players assume the role of an agent of Death who must explore the brutal world of Siradon, battling monsters and bosses to uncover the mysteries of the land. Like Dark Souls, the game features challenging combat that requires precise timing, strategic planning, and a willingness to learn from mistakes.

15. Dark Devotion

Dark Devotion is a 2D game that offers challenging combat, intricate level design, and a dark and eerie atmosphere. The game features a unique system where the player’s character can become corrupted, affecting their stats and abilities.

It also features a variety of weapons and equipment, allowing players to customize their playstyle. Dark Devotion is a great choice for fans of the Dark Souls franchise who are looking for a 2D game with similar gameplay mechanics.

16. Hellpoint

Hellpoint is a game that takes place in a dark and mysterious space station. The game features challenging combat and intricate level design, with a variety of enemies and bosses to defeat. It also features unique mechanics like the ability to manipulate time and a deep multiplayer system that allows players to invade other players’ games. It offers a unique experience for fans of the Dark Souls franchise who are looking for a different setting and gameplay mechanics.

17. Code Vein

Code Vein is an action RPG that features challenging combat and a focus on character customization. The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, with a variety of enemies and bosses to defeat. It has a unique companion system, allowing players to recruit other characters to fight alongside them. Code Vein offers a great experience for fans of the Dark Souls franchise who are looking for a different setting and gameplay mechanics.

18. ENDER LILIES: Quietus Of The Knights

ENDER LILIES: Quietus Of The Knights is a 2D game that features challenging combat and a hauntingly beautiful world. The game takes place in a world overrun by a mysterious and deadly rain, with the player taking control of a priestess who awakens without memory of her past.

It also features a unique system where defeated bosses become allies, allowing players to utilize their powers in battle. ENDER LILIES: Quietus Of The Knights offers a great experience for fans of the Dark Souls franchise who are looking for a 2D game with similar mechanics and a unique story.

19. The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

While not necessarily a game in the same genre as Dark Souls, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim offers a similar experience in terms of exploration, customization, and challenging combat. The game takes place in a vast open world, with a variety of enemies and bosses to defeat.

It comes with a deep leveling and customization system, allowing players to tailor their character to their playstyle. Skyrim offers a great experience for fans of the Dark Souls franchise who are looking for a game with similar exploration and customization elements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What games inspired Dark Souls?

Dark Souls is known for its challenging gameplay, intricate level design, and unique mechanics, which have made it a fan favorite in the gaming world. The game’s creators, FromSoftware, drew inspiration from a variety of sources when developing Dark Souls, including classic games, literature, and even real-world locations.

One of the primary inspirations for Dark Souls is the game’s predecessor, Demon’s Souls. Demon’s Souls is the game that introduced many of the mechanics that would become staples of the Soulsborne genre, including its difficulty, intricate level design, and online multiplayer system.

The classic action-adventure game, The Legend of Zelda, was also a significant inspiration for the development team. The game’s sense of exploration, puzzle-solving, and epic boss battles inspired the game’s designers to create a similar sense of adventure and discovery in Dark Souls.

In addition to video games, literature, and mythology also played a significant role in shaping the world of Dark Souls. The game’s setting draws heavily from medieval European and Japanese mythology, as well as the works of authors like H.P. Lovecraft and J.R.R. Tolkien.

Real-world locations also influenced the design of Dark Souls’ world. The game’s setting is based on the medieval city of Aachen, Germany, while the architecture of the Vatican inspires the city of Anor Londo.

Which games are more challenging than Dark Souls?

There are many games that are known for their high level of difficulty and challenge, but few have achieved the reputation and notoriety of the Dark Souls series. That being said, there are a few games that have been known to be even more challenging than Dark Souls, at least in certain aspects.

One such game is “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice,” also developed by FromSoftware, the creators of the Dark Souls series. Sekiro is known for its intense and unforgiving combat, which requires players to master precise timing and reflexes in order to survive. Unlike Dark Souls, Sekiro features a more structured and linear story but compensates with some of the most challenging boss battles in any game.

Another game that is often compared to Dark Souls in terms of difficulty is “Bloodborne,” also developed by FromSoftware. Bloodborne is set in a gothic, Victorian-inspired world and features fast-paced, aggressive combat that rewards players for taking risks and being proactive. The game also has a reputation for being particularly punishing in the early stages, with many players struggling to progress beyond the first few areas.

Ultimately, the difficulty of a game is a subjective experience that depends on the player’s skill level and preferences. While Dark Souls is widely considered one of the toughest games of all time, there are certainly other games out there that can give it a run for its money in terms of challenge and complexity.

Can I play Elden Ring without playing Dark Souls?

Yes, you can definitely play Elden Ring without having played Dark Souls. While Elden Ring is being developed by the same studio that created the Dark Souls series, it is expected to have its own unique story, setting, and gameplay mechanics. While there may be some similarities between the two games, such as challenging boss battles and intricate level design, you do not need to have any prior knowledge or experience with the Dark Souls series to enjoy Elden Ring.

That being said, if you are familiar with the Dark Souls series or other games developed by FromSoftware, you may find that some of the skills and strategies you developed in those games are useful in Elden Ring. But even if you have never played a game like this before, Elden Ring is likely to provide a challenging and rewarding experience for players of all skill levels.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, if you are a fan of challenging games with intricate level design, unforgiving combat, and deep lore, then you must try out the games like Dark Souls. This list of games includes some of the best titles in the genre, from the masterpieces like Bloodborne and Demon’s Souls to the upcoming highly anticipated titles like Elden Ring.

Each game offers a unique experience that will keep you engaged for hours on end. Whether you prefer 2D side-scrolling games or open-world RPGs, there is a game on this list that is sure to satisfy your craving for a challenging and rewarding experience. So, gear up, sharpen your blades, embark on your journey to conquer these titles, and see if you can emerge victorious in the worlds of these incredible games.