What is a Soulslike?
Soulslike games are action RPGs inspired by FromSoftware's Dark Souls series, featuring challenging combat, interconnected world design, stamina-based mechanics, and a learn-through-death philosophy.
Complete Soulslike Ranking: Easiest to Hardest
Tier 1: Accessible Entry Points (Beginner-Friendly)
1. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor — Difficulty: 4/10
- Metacritic: 85 | Steam: 81% Positive
- Multiple difficulty options including Story Mode. Soulslike combat with forgiving checkpoints and a great Star Wars narrative. The best entry point.
2. Lies of P — Difficulty: 6/10
- Metacritic: 80 | Steam: 88% Positive
- Pinocchio-themed Soulslike with a unique weapon assembly system. More forgiving than Dark Souls with generous parry windows.
3. Lords of the Fallen (2023) — Difficulty: 6/10
- Metacritic: 65 | Steam: 65% Positive
- Dual realm mechanic adds unique exploration. Post-launch patches significantly improved the experience.
Tier 2: Standard Challenge
4. Elden Ring — Difficulty: 7/10
- Metacritic: 96 | Steam: 93% Positive
- The open world allows players to overlevel for tough bosses. Spirit Ashes and co-op summons provide safety nets. Hardest bosses are optional.
5. Dark Souls III — Difficulty: 7/10
- Metacritic: 89 | Steam: 93% Positive
- The most refined Dark Souls combat. Faster than DS1/DS2 with excellent boss design. A good starting point for pure Souls games.
6. Nioh 2 — Difficulty: 7.5/10
- Metacritic: 85 | Steam: 89% Positive
- Team Ninja's action-heavy Soulslike with deep stance-based combat. Yokai Shift adds transformation mechanics.
Tier 3: Serious Challenge
7. Dark Souls (Remastered) — Difficulty: 8/10
- Metacritic: 89 | Steam: 92% Positive
- The game that started it all. Slower, more methodical combat with the best interconnected world design in gaming history.
8. Bloodborne — Difficulty: 8/10
- Metacritic: 92 | PS Exclusive
- Aggressive, fast-paced combat rewarding offense over defense. Gothic horror setting is unmatched. The rally mechanic fundamentally changes Souls combat.
9. Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin — Difficulty: 8/10
- Metacritic: 79 | Steam: 85% Positive
- Often underrated, DS2 has the most build variety and PvP depth. The Adaptability stat and ganking enemies divide players.
Tier 4: Extreme (Veterans Only)
10. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice — Difficulty: 9/10
- Metacritic: 90 | Steam: 95% Positive
- No leveling, no co-op, no shields. Pure skill-based deflection combat. Once it clicks, it's the most satisfying combat system in gaming.
11. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree — Difficulty: 9.5/10
- Metacritic: 94 | Steam: 81% Positive
- The DLC cranks difficulty to 11. Bosses are faster, more aggressive, and demand mastery of every mechanic. Consort Radahn is legendary.
12. Demon's Souls — Difficulty: 8.5/10
- Metacritic: 92 (PS5 Remake)
- The progenitor. World Tendency mechanic can make it harder or easier. The Remake is visually stunning but preserves the original challenge.
Difficulty Comparison Table
| Game | Combat Speed | Checkpoints | Co-op | Level Up | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jedi: Survivor | Medium | Generous | No | Yes | 4/10 |
| Lies of P | Medium | Fair | Limited | Yes | 6/10 |
| Elden Ring | Medium | Open World | Yes | Yes | 7/10 |
| Dark Souls III | Medium-Fast | Fair | Yes | Yes | 7/10 |
| Bloodborne | Fast | Fair | Yes | Yes | 8/10 |
| Sekiro | Very Fast | Fair | No | Limited | 9/10 |
Tips for Soulslike Beginners
- Don't rush — Learn enemy patterns before attacking
- Upgrade your weapon — A +10 weapon matters more than stats
- Use shields (in Souls games) — Blocking is easier than dodging at first
- Explore thoroughly — Hidden items and shortcuts save time
- Don't hoard souls/runes — Spend them before boss attempts
- Summon help — No shame in using co-op or spirit ashes
FAQ
Which Soulslike should I play first?
Start with Elden Ring or Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Both offer accessible difficulty with the option to make things harder.
Is Sekiro harder than Elden Ring?
Yes, significantly. Sekiro has no leveling system, no co-op, and requires mastering its deflection mechanic. Elden Ring lets you overlevel bosses.
Are Soulslikes worth playing if I'm not good at games?
Absolutely. Modern Soulslikes like Elden Ring and Jedi: Survivor offer tools to manage difficulty. The sense of achievement is unmatched.
What's the best Soulslike for PvP?
Dark Souls III has the most active PvP community. Elden Ring's PvP is popular but less balanced due to the open world design.