Soulslikes Tier List – All Soulslikes, Ranked

The punishing but rewarding Soulslike gaming genre has steadily gained traction since the launch of Demon’s Souls in the late 2000s. If you’re looking for your next favorite Soulslike game, read on below for my complete Soulslikes tier list.

Best Soulslike Games Tier List

Ranking games in the Soulslike genre requires a precise definition on what a Soulslike even is to begin with. What you'll find below is a list of games that have tough but fair action combat, tell great stories in unique ways, have punishing death mechanics, and directly tie your progression to your continued survial.

Finally, remember this is a personal list rather than a statement of objective fact. Every gamer's taste is different from the next, and we all lean towards a little more story, a little more towards challenge, and so on.

Best S-Tier Soulslike games

Alright yes, it's probably cheating to have two games made by THE Souls guys in S-Tier, but the simple fact is that if you're looking for a Soulslike, who else is gonna do it better?

Bloodborne

Bloodborne remains in my top spot even a near decade after its initial release. With some of the finest writing FromSoftware have ever put forth, some of the best bosses they've ever designed, and some of the greatest build crafting potential on offer outside of Elden Ring, Bloodborne really has it all. In addition to this, it's one of the more challenging Soulslikes out there, but manages to really nail that perfect balance between punishing and fair.

Dark Souls 3

Having this one above Dark Souls might seem controversial to some of you, but I just cannot get over my adoration for Dark Souls 3. It feels exactly how it should, like a natural evolution of the still incredible Dark Souls, providing an outstanding conclusion to one of the most inspiring narratives to come from the fantasy genre in recent years, whilst also tuning up and expanding upon the core gameplay loop. More weapons, armor, spells and items, the introduction of Weapon Arts (the progenitor to Ashes of War in Elden Ring), and some overall spit and polish really elevated this game above its peers.

Blasphemous

Blasphemous is simply incredible. A game that wears its inspirations proudly on its sleeve, but makes its own magic with heavy use of platforming and simple yet nuanced combat, and absolutely outstanding art direction and storytelling. Blasphemous is a 2D side scroller, but still has plenty of big nasties (and I mean nasties) to promptly end, and all the mechanics you'd expect of a game of the genre, with rest points, limited healing, and punishing death mechanics. A prime example of the impact one good game series can have on the greater gaming world, this is one you should go out of your way to try.

Best A-Tier Soulslike games 

This is more of a sidestep than a downgrade with these outstanding titles.

Dark Souls

It's impossible to overstate the importance of a game like Dark Souls, and for good reason. Despite being a mechanical follow up of FromSoftware's previous title Demon's Souls, Dark Souls was really the game to cement a public love for the 'Soulslike' for all the years to come. It elevated itself above Demon's Souls by offering a far greater variety in bosses and much more challenge, along with a generally improved core gameplay loop. It was also our first real look into that renowned FromSoftware storytelling, and semi-linear progression. A title for the ages.

Elden Ring

Elden Ring took the Soulslike formula FromSoftware had established in the Dark Souls trilogy out of the largely linear structure of its previous titles and out into one hell of an open world. Elden Ring changed the way we think about Soulslike games forever, by demonstrating that not only could an open world work with the formula, it was elevated by it. Whilst somewhat less challenging overall than previous FromSoftware games, Elden Ring provided people with more tools than ever to mold their experience to their liking. The story doesn't suffer either, as backed by little known indie fantasy writer George R. R. Martin, Elden Ring tells one of the greatest stories FromSoftware ever.

Lies of P

If you’re looking for a game that’s not made by FromSoftware but feels like it could’ve been, look no further than Lies of P. Combat is fast-paced and wicked fun, while still requiring careful precision. The vibe is great here, with the revolutionary French era showing itself in ways you wouldn't expect. Some unique mechanics help it stand out too, such as the sometimes janky, always fun weapon crafting. (A huge hammer with the swing speed of a dagger? Yes please.) Throw in a great soundtrack and you have one of the most rewarding games in the genre.

Demon's Souls

We wouldn't have this genre to discuss if it wasn't for Demon's Souls. An incredible introduction to the style of game we'd all be spending far too much time on for a long while to come, Demon's Souls sets up the genre well, whilst also showing just how far we've come in the games released since. Bosses in Demon's Souls hedge more towards the 'gimmicky' side of things, with a lot of them having a 'mechanic' instead of just relying on you scrapping it out.

Best B-Tier Soulslike games 

Done with the S and A-tier titles? You’ll find hundreds more hours of satisfying gameplay in these excellent games. 

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is actually the second of the Jedi games released by the very talented Respawn development team. Whilst Survivor might not have released in the best state performance wise, Survivor is a direct improvement over Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order in virtually every way there is. It keeps the very well made Soulslike combat system, fine tunes it, and throws in way more options in fighting styles, all of which feel and look incredible, whilst offering distinct pros and cons. Mixed in with a well written Star Wars narrative, some great level design, and an absolutely brilliant performance from Cameron Monaghan, and you've got yourself one hell of a title.

Salt & Sanctuary

Salt & Sanctuary offers up a one of a kind Soulslike experience. Far more directly inspired by Dark Souls as opposed to something like Blasphemous, with out and out emulations of some game aspects (like with user generated messages for example). However it manages to have its own unique style (with a sort of Flash game era charm) and has some great new ideas to bring to the table. An example of this is the leveling system, in which you convert 'Salt' (this games version of 'Souls') into Black Pearls, and use those to level up four skill trees (each suited for different weapons and classes).

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Sekiro is yet another FromSoftware title, and one that really mixed up the formula on the Soulslike genre. Sekiro is less a traditional Soulslike, and more of an extremely punishing reflex fighter with some Soulslike elements. The core of level based progression has been exchanged for a skill based one, and combat is less about what you're using, and more about how you're using what you've been given. You've still got your mainstays like a heap of items to use, limited healing resources, and death mechanics (cranked up to 11 this time with the death debuff system), but overall you're mostly out there to learn how to fight in the way the game intends.

Best C-Tier Soulslike games

Still great games, just with some quirks that don't quite carry them to that same level of greatness.

Mortal Shell

Mortal Shell is quite a polarizing title in the Soulslike genre, and for good reason. It is not a perfect game, with some clunky core mechanics and less than clear progression to fight through. But, to say it isn't a good attempt at a Soulslike would be unfair, and the bones are strong in this title. The community collaboration is something I really like about this game; it's something that is core to the 'true' Soulslike experience, with user generated maps of areas being all but required for certain sections. Some great lore and a more accessible experience for non Souls players gives it points too, so definitely give this one a shot, especially if you're new to the genre and want something to help you take the training wheels off.

The Surge

The Surge shares some issues with Mortal Shell in that it has shaky core mechanics, but ultimately saves itself with a properly fun experience set in a rather extreme dystopian sci-fi setting. The overall story here isn't stellar, but it's serviceable, and the combat is so heavy and addictive that you can often find yourself forgetting about some of its shortfalls. Great experience overall, especially if you're a little bored of the fantasy side of things.

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

The first of two Jedi games released by Respawn, and offers up a great Star Wars Soulslike experience. Fallen Order feels more like a foundation building game to the vast improvements in its sequel, with great core combat mechanics but less variety compared to the sequel, and perhaps a little too much 'Uncharted' style exploration. Whilst you'll still be doing a lot of that in the sequel, the smaller and less diverse environments in this one mean they feel a little staler a little sooner, but aren't too offensive overall.

Dark Souls 2

Look, I am not a Dark Souls 2 hater. Dark Souls 2 is a great game, but is it a great Souls game? Not... really. Dark Souls 2 has a lot of very clear experimentation, with changes to stats, combat, and healing mechanics being required to know what works and what doesn't from the games before it, to better inform the games after it. Add on top of this some less than inspired bosses (there are a lot of just... guys that are big and in armor), and visually impressive but frustrating environments. Dark Souls 3 and all the FromSoftware Soulslikes following had far more in common with Dark Souls 1 than they did Dark Souls 2, and that's because they just didn't quite work here. Overall a great game if you're looking for a slightly different look at the world of Dark Souls, but not quite it.

Best D-Tier Soulslike Games

These ones are on the weaker side, but can still provide fun and unique experiences for those in the market.

Code Vein

Code Vein isn't my kind of thing, but I gave it a shot nonetheless. All in all, it's a serviceable game with a difficulty level that surprised me despite my years with FromSoftware titles, but there's a lot to be desired here. The game is... janky. I don't get motion sickness playing games, but the screen shake in this one genuinely made me feel a bit green. This is alongside some lengthy fighting animations which can really drag down a fight, some generally off combat mechanics (hitboxes are the big issue here), and a rather flat and tedious main story, which all culminate in a less than stellar title. It does however have a pretty great character customizer, and even has the option to play the full thing through with a friend, which wins some points back.

Lords of the Fallen (2014)

Lords of the Fallen released way back in 2014, and is generally given the accolade of being the reason we even have the term 'Soulslike'. Sadly however, this game wasn't for me, as whilst distinct from Dark Souls 1, it emulated too much too poorly for me to ever be a big fan. It lacks a lot of the soul of Dark Souls, and instead brings a far more traditional narrative in alongside some far more accessible mechanics, neither of which ever did much to make it stand out when compared to the superior products on offer. The sequel released in 2023 isn't one I've had a chance to dive into just yet, but considering some relatively positive reviews, I might just give this world another shot one day.

Honorable Mentions

These are some games that I personally haven't had the chance to play, but have heard great things about.

Nioh

Nioh is a game series I am unfamiliar with, but have heard great things about. Loosely (and I mean loosely) based on the story of the first Englishman to visit Japan, William Adams, who became a Samurai back in the 1600s (Adams also inspired the character John Blackthorne, protagonist of the book and FX show Shōgun). A truly beloved action RPG with exceptional combat and great challenge, but also quite a grind, so make sure it's for you.

Hollow Knight

No, I haven't played Hollow Knight. Yes, I know you're all very upset about this Silksong thing and I'm sorry for that. One of the first names you'll see in discussions of 2D Soulslikes, and known for some pretty extreme difficulty, but with an art style and game design that even I, someone who hasn't had the pleasure of playing it yet, understands all too well is absolutely knockout. This one should be a definite go-to if something like Blasphemous isn't your cup of tea.

Ashen

Ashen is a rather unique spin on the Soulslike formula, as it operates as a co-operative, community focused Soulslike game with just as much emphasis on your interactions with other players as your interactions with the various nasties scattered around. Made by small development team A44 (who are currently working on another Soulslike with Flintlock Siege of Dawn), this one is a really unique experience, even if the game mechanics themselves aren't all there.

For more on games in the Soulslike genre, check out the Best Soulslike games to play after Elden Ring here at Pro Game Guides!