Top 10 Indie Soulslike Games

Recently, fans of the Soulsborne series were taken aback by the news that FromSoftware's next major project, "The Duskbloods," an online multiplayer game with a quasi-Victorian aesthetic reminiscent of "Bloodborne 2," will be exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2, priced at $449.99. While this news may have disheartened many players, there's no need to despair. Since the groundbreaking release of "Dark Souls" in 2011, numerous developers have endeavored to either replicate or innovate on FromSoftware's unique formula. Although many attempts fell short, a select few have risen to the challenge impressively.

You may already be acquainted with prominent titles such as "Nioh," "Lies of P," and "Black Myth: Wukong." However, some of the most inventive and engaging soulslike experiences have come from small indie teams, who, lacking the resources of their AAA counterparts, have relied on creativity to capture the essence of what makes FromSoftware's games so captivating.

Here's a curated list of the top 10 indie soulslikes you can dive into without needing the 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, cryptic lore, environmental storytelling, and grand boss battles. "Eldest Souls" focuses on the latter, offering a boss-rush experience. Players take on the role of a lone warrior navigating a sprawling citadel reminiscent of "Bloodborne." The game excels in delivering a dynamic combat system that feels more than just timing your button presses correctly, despite the core mechanics revolving around this.

Blasphemous

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

Fans of "Bloodborne's" haunting environments will find a kindred spirit in "Blasphemous," a 2D metroidvania set in the world of Cvstodia. The game draws inspiration from Roman Catholicism, Renaissance Italy, and Inquisition-era Spain, creating a rich tapestry of religious art and culture. Its striking character and boss designs, which continued into "Blasphemous 2" and its "Mea Culpa" DLC, evoke the eerie atmosphere of centuries-old Christian iconography, rivaling FromSoftware's own mastery in this area.

Tunic

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

"Tunic" takes a page out of FromSoftware's book by drawing inspiration from the same sources that influenced Miyazaki's works, notably the original "Zelda" games. This 3D isometric action-adventure game captures the essence of exploration and wonder. Despite its adorable fox protagonist wielding a sword, "Tunic" mirrors FromSoftware's interconnected and deliberately obscure level design, devoid of objective markers and featuring indecipherable in-game text, leaving players to piece together the world's mysterious past.

Tails of Iron

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

"Tails of Iron" and its sequel, "Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter," blend a charming picture book aesthetic with gritty themes of blood, gore, and betrayal akin to "Game of Thrones" or "The Witcher." Narrated by Doug Cockle, the voice of Geralt of Rivia, these action RPGs feature densely populated worlds and explicit storytelling more reminiscent of George RR Martin's works. Yet, their meticulously crafted environments resonate with the atmospheric depth found in "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" stands out with its visually striking design and a unique mechanic allowing players to inhabit different "shells" with preset builds, offering varied approaches to combat. The game's challenging yet epic combat balances the intensity seen in "Bloodborne" and "Dark Souls 3." Its enemy designs, especially the final boss, evoke the same awe and terror as FromSoftware's Lovecraftian Great Ones.

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 curve by requiring players to level down, making each subsequent fight more challenging. This innovative mechanic enhances replayability as players strategically choose which abilities to sacrifice before each boss battle, modeled after the Seven Deadly Sins. The game encourages players to understand each boss's strengths and weaknesses to craft a successful strategy.

Nine Sols

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

"Nine Sols" uniquely focuses on "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice" for inspiration, integrating cyberpunk with East Asian mythology. Its combat system emphasizes defense, with dodging, blocking, and parrying at its core. This approach shifts the focus from brute force to a rhythmic dance of action and reaction, making each encounter a satisfying challenge.

Unsighted

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

"Unsighted" leverages the narrative and gameplay potential of character relationships in soulslike games, akin to "The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask." Set in a world of automatons, every NPC has a limited power supply, which, when depleted, results in their removal from the game. This mechanic introduces urgency and strategic planning, compelling players to manage their progress efficiently.

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" introduces a novel twist with its protagonist, a crustacean navigating an ocean littered with human garbage. The game's core mechanic revolves around customizing the player's defensive shell, each piece offering unique attacks and limited durability. This forces players to adapt their playstyle constantly, adding depth to the underwater adventure.

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 challenges of "Getting Over It." Despite being in early access for over a decade, it offers a compelling experience with its finicky controls that heighten the suspense and engagement of each encounter. Players wielding unwieldy weapons will feel the same initial clumsiness experienced in FromSoftware's early stages.