Top 10 Indie Soulslike Games Revealed

Recently, the Soulsborne community was taken aback by the announcement that FromSoftware's upcoming game, The Duskbloods—an online multiplayer title with a quasi-Victorian aesthetic reminiscent of Bloodborne 2—will be exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2, priced at $449.99. While this news might have disheartened many fans, there's no need to despair. Since the groundbreaking release of Dark Souls in 2011, numerous developers have ventured to either emulate or innovate upon FromSoftware's captivating formula. While some have stumbled, others have crafted gems that truly resonate with fans.

You might already be acquainted with prominent titles like Nioh, Lies of P, and Black Myth: Wukong. However, it's the indie scene that has birthed some of the most inventive and compelling soulslike games. These smaller studios, often limited by budget and team size, have relied on creativity to capture the essence of what Hidetaka Miyazaki and his team have been perfecting for years.

Here’s a curated list of ten standout indie soulslikes that you can enjoy without needing a Nintendo Switch 2.

Eldest Souls

Developer: Fallen Flag Studio | Publisher: United Label, CI Games | Release date: July 29, 2021 | Review: Read IGN's Eldest Souls review

The Soulsborne formula encompasses many elements, including exploration, skill-based combat, enigmatic lore, environmental storytelling, and grandiose boss battles. Eldest Souls focuses on the latter, offering a boss-rush gauntlet. In this game, you play as a lone warrior navigating a sprawling citadel reminiscent of Bloodborne, facing off against creatively designed monsters. What sets Eldest Souls apart is its dynamic combat system in a 2D setting, which transcends the typical button-timing mechanics and delivers a more engaging experience.

Blasphemous

Developer: The Game Kitchen | Publisher: Team17 | Release date: September 10, 2019 | Review: Read IGN's Blasphemous review

If you loved exploring the haunting spires of Yharnam in Bloodborne, Blasphemous will feel like coming home. This 2D metroidvania invites players to delve into the world of Cvstodia, uncovering eldritch horrors within a setting inspired by Roman Catholicism. Unlike the Gothic influence of Bloodborne, Blasphemous draws from the religious art and culture of Renaissance Italy and Inquisition-era Spain. Its captivating character and boss designs, which continue to shine in Blasphemous 2 and its Mea Culpa DLC, are unparalleled in their ability to evoke the eerie essence of Christian iconography.

Tunic

Developer: Tunic Team | Publisher: Finji | Release date: March 16, 2022 | Review: Read IGN's Tunic review

Creating a soulslike doesn't always mean copying FromSoftware directly; sometimes, it's about drawing from the same sources they did. Tunic takes inspiration from the original Zelda games, mirroring their sense of curiosity and wonder. Despite its cute, anthropomorphic fox protagonist, Tunic mirrors FromSoftware's style with its interconnected and deliberately obtuse level design. There are no clear markers to guide you, and all dialogue is in an indecipherable script, leaving you to piece together what calamity befell its world.

Tails of Iron

Developer: Odd Bug Studio | Publisher: United Label | Release date: September 17, 2021

While Tails of Iron and its sequel, Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter, might appear cutesy at first glance, they delve into darker themes with their picture book aesthetic and tales of blood, gore, and betrayal akin to Game of Thrones or The Witcher. Narrated by Doug Cockle, the voice of Geralt of Rivia, these games lean more towards George R.R. Martin's narrative style. However, their meticulously crafted environments and rich atmosphere echo the worlds of Dark Souls and Elden Ring.

Mortal Shell

Developer: Cold Symmetry | Publisher: Playstack | Release date: August 18, 2021 | Review: Read IGN's Mortal Shell review

Mortal Shell is a standout soulslike known for its striking visuals and unique gameplay mechanic. Instead of endless customization, players can possess different "shells" with preset builds, allowing for varied approaches to boss fights. Its enemy design, particularly the final boss, rivals the Lovecraftian horrors of Bloodborne. Mortal Shell strikes a balance between challenging and epic combat, a feat FromSoftware arguably perfected starting with Bloodborne.

Sinner: Sacrifice for Redemption

Developer: Dark Star | Publisher: Neon Doctrine | Release date: October 23, 2018 | Review: Read IGN's Sinner: Sacrifice for Redemption review

Sinner: Sacrifice for Redemption flips the traditional soulslike progression on its head by requiring players to level down rather than up, making each battle increasingly difficult. This unique mechanic enhances replayability, as players must choose which abilities to sacrifice before each boss fight. With bosses modeled after the Seven Deadly Sins, strategic planning becomes crucial to success.

Nine Sols

Developer: RedCandleGames | Publisher: RedCandleGames | Release date: May 29, 2024

Nine Sols specifically draws from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, blending cyberpunk elements with East Asian mythology and spirituality. Its combat system emphasizes defense over offense, requiring players to master dodging, blocking, and parrying. This creates a rhythm-based challenge that demands careful observation and reaction to enemy movements.

Unsighted

Developer: Studio Pixel Punk | Publisher: Humble Games | Release date: September 30, 2021

Unsighted highlights the importance of character relationships in the Soulsborne genre, much like The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask. In this metroidvania, NPCs are automatons with limited power supplies, adding urgency and strategic planning to the gameplay. Your actions determine their survival, making every decision impactful.

Another Crab’s Treasure

Developer: Aggro Crab | Publisher: Aggro Crab | Release date: April 25, 2024 | Review: Read IGN's Another Crab’s Treasure review

Another Crab’s Treasure offers a unique twist on the soulslike genre, featuring a SpongeBob-esque crab protagonist searching for a lost home. The game focuses on defensive customization through various environmental pollutants serving as wearable shells. Each shell has unique attacks and limited durability, requiring players to adapt different strategies throughout their journey.

Exanima

Developer: Bare Mettle Entertainment | Publisher: Bare Mettle Entertainment | Release date: April 29, 2015

Exanima combines the essence of Dark Souls with the physics-based challenge of Getting Over It. As a survival game still in development, it offers a thrilling experience with its sensitive controls that make every encounter suspenseful. The game’s finicky mechanics evoke the same sense of struggle and achievement as your first steps in Lordran or Drangleic.