10 Best Soulslikes of the 2020s (So Far)

There have been plenty of Soulslikes to be released in the 2020s so far, with more to come. While not all of them have been huge hits, there have been a solid number of Soulslikes that do a good job of replicating FromSoftware’s formula.

Whether you’re looking for deep learning, a ton of building variety, or a serious challenge that will make you break your controller, there’s a game like Souls out there that’s just right for you.

In this list, we look at Soulslikes that fit right at home in the genre, but also bring their own unique features to the table. Here are the best Soulslikes of 2020 so far.

10

The limit of AI

An Immersive Sci-Fi World

AI Limit is among the best Soulslikes of the 2020s because it successfully combines the basics of the classic genre with its new ideas. While many Soulslikes emulate FromSoftware’s formula, AI Limit carves out its own identity with its post-apocalyptic sci-fi setting, rage-based combat, and a unique Sync Rate mechanic that replaces the traditional stamina system.

The game does a great job with its presentation, featuring memorable boss designs and an interconnected world that rewards exploration. It’s also surprisingly deep in character progression, giving players the chance to create a character that’s truly unique compared to others. It’s also a good choice for players who want to get into the genre but find it too difficult, as the AI ​​Limit is on the easy side.

9

Remainder 2

Shooter Souls

The original Remnant, Remnant: From the Ashes, was a niche game and didn’t have a huge following behind it. However, word of mouth did its job, and Remnant 2 did surprisingly well. The biggest feature of the Remnant franchise is that Souls like guns, something you haven’t seen in the genre. In other words, it is a unique experience compared to others in this category.

Remnant 2 does a good job in many departments, but it stands out when it comes to exploration and discovery. The game follows a procedural structure, where each run has different rooms, new secrets to discover, quests to complete, weapons to acquire, bosses to fight, etc. This alone kept the game feeling fresh with every playthrough, and as such, I recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the genre.

8

Fallen Kings

Many Reviews Made This Bright

Lords of the Fallen had a rough launch in 2023, it was released full of bugs, too many enemies, and questionable design choices. Fortunately, the game has some great developers behind it who genuinely care about their players. Within three years, Lords of the Fallen has received over 50 reviews, making it one of the best Soulslikes of the 2020s.

Other notable updates include a completely redesigned combat system, improving the overall animation and making it more fun to play, a new final boss that makes the ending feel worth it, and quality of life improvements that make inventory management feel like less of a chore. Lords of the Fallen has come a long way since its launch, making Soulslikes fans very excited for its sequel.

7

Elden Ring Nightreign

An Addictive Experience

When Elden Ring Nightreign was first announced, fans of the genre were very confused as to what FromSoftware was doing. Some people thought it was a cheap stock flip to ride on the success of Elden Ring, and while part of that may be true, Nightreign turned out to be a really fun big hit.

The plot based around traversing a Fortnite-style map, becoming as strong as possible in a race against the clock, and taking down a challenging boss is an addictive experience that makes it hard to put the controller down. When you finish a round, you can’t help but want to jump on another one, then another one, then another one. It’s a really fun time and proves that FromSoftware can do well in the multiplayer space.

6

First Berserker: Khazan

Incredible Bosses All Around

If you’ve ever wanted to play Soulslike with brutal boss battles that make you want to pull your hair out, look no further than The First Berserker: Khazan. I mean, this game has some of the hardest boss battles you’ll ever encounter in the genre. However, it never feels out of place and it never feels haphazard. That’s the mark of well-designed managers, rather than just managers made for difficulty.

I’d say 80% of the bosses in The First Berserker: Khazan are some of the best of the Souls-like genre, offering intense battles that require quick wits and skill. Even though everything between these bosses is average, like leveling and standard enemies, the bosses are so amazing that the game deserves to be on this list.

5

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

Black Feathers

Of all the Soulslikes released in the 2020s, I have to say that Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is arguably the most underrated and underappreciated. While it had its issues, such as the lackluster boss fights, it did a lot of things well that made it stand up to the other greats. For example, its level design is very similar to the original Dark Souls, which, let’s be honest, is the best level design in the Souls genre.

Additionally, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers has amazing combat that has real weight to it, making each battle feel satisfying. There are tons of weapons to mess around with, spells that allow for range-oriented builds, and unlockable abilities that help make your character feel unique. Add in the fact that the game offers deep lore, and you have one of the best Soulslikes of the 2020s.

4

Demon’s Souls Remake

A Good Remake

Talking about the remake of Demon’s Souls always makes me sad because of the recent closure of Bluepoint Games. This developer, often considered the king of remakes, took the classic Demon’s Souls from 2009 and gave it a fresh coat of paint to create one of the best Soulslikes of the 2020s. This was a difficult task considering that the original Demon’s Souls was the one that started the entire Soulslike genre.

The Demon’s Souls remake did more than just enhance the classic visuals. It added new character models, added more detail to some of the most notable areas in the game, improved quality of life, and just made the entire product feel more modern. It’s such a great game that many fans wanted Bluepoint Games to be the one to remake Bloodborne, but unfortunately that won’t happen because Sony shut it down.

3

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Nioh takes on the Open World

The Nioh series is known for its fast-paced combat, aggressive bosses, and objective-oriented structure. The first two games in the franchise were mostly sequential, but the latest entry took the Nioh experience into a massive open world. It seemed like a risky endeavor at first, but it turns out that Nioh is at its best in the open world.

Nioh 3 is the closest Souls has come to the Elden Ring in terms of scope and adventure. However, while the open world is outstanding, Nioh 3 does an even better job with its bosses and build variety. There is a lot of equipment in this game, allowing players to explore a number of layouts and play styles. It’s a great challenge, but once you win the fight, the overall feel of Nioh 3 is unmatched.

2

The lies of P

Rethinking Darkness

When it comes to good Soulslikes not developed by the king of the genre, FromSoftware, Lies of P stands as one of the best. Although there was a good amount of hype leading up to its release, no one expected it to be as good as it was. I mean, a Soulslike related to the fictional Pinocchio? That sounds like a strange concept.

However, developer Neowiz took this odd premise and did an amazing job with it. The dark version of the legend turned out to have a great story behind it, strong combat and massive boss battles, and a simple, yet amazing level design reminiscent of Dark Souls. Lies of P turned out to be one of my favorite Soulslikes of the 2020s and I still find myself going back to another game every year since its release.

1

Elden Ring

Best Soulslike of 2020

The best Soulslike of the 2020s so far is Elden Ring and the competition isn’t really close. When Elden Ring was first announced, everyone knew it was going to be an undeniable banger thanks to the pedigree of developer FromSoftware. However, no one could have expected how good this game would be.

Offering one of the most detailed and diverse open worlds in recent memory, exploring The Lands Between felt like taking a truly epic adventure. With secrets in every room, some of the greatest boss designs in the genre, and an insane amount of building variety, Elden Ring stands as one of the most popular Soulslikes and greatest video games of all time.