The recent announcement that FromSoftware's upcoming game, *The Duskbloods*, will be exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2 at a hefty $449.99 price point has left many Soulsborne fans disheartened. However, the disappointment doesn't have to lead to despair. Since the groundbreaking release of *Dark Souls* in 2011, numerous developers have ventured into crafting games that either mimic or reimagine the essence of FromSoftware's iconic formula. While many have fallen short, several have risen to the challenge, offering compelling alternatives.
You might already be acquainted with popular titles like *Nioh*, *Lies of P*, and *Black Myth: Wukong*. Yet, it's the indie scene that has produced some of the most inventive and satisfying soulslike experiences. These smaller studios, often lacking the resources of their AAA counterparts, have relied on creativity to deliver games that resonate with the spirit of Hidetaka Miyazaki's creations.
Below, in no particular order, are ten of the best indie soulslike games that you can dive into right now, no Switch 2 required.
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 various elements, such as exploration, skill-based combat, cryptic lore, environmental storytelling, and epic boss battles. *Eldest Souls* focuses primarily on the latter, presenting players with a boss-rush gauntlet. Set in a sprawling, Bloodborne-esque citadel, the game challenges you to battle creatively designed monsters. Its 2D combat system stands out, offering dynamic fights that feel more than just a matter of timing your button presses correctly.
Blasphemous
Developer: The Game Kitchen | Publisher: Team17 | Release date: September 10, 2019 | Review: Read IGN's Blasphemous review
If you reveled in exploring Yharnam's winding spires in *Bloodborne*, *Blasphemous* will captivate you. This 2D metroidvania follows a masked crusader uncovering eldritch horrors within a Roman Catholicism-inspired order in the land of Cvstodia. Drawing inspiration from Renaissance Italy and Inquisition-era Spain, the game's art and character designs are hauntingly beautiful. The series continued its legacy with *Blasphemous 2* and its *Mea Culpa* DLC, maintaining its unsettling charm.
Tunic
Developer: Tunic Team | Publisher: Finji | Release date: March 16, 2022 | Review: Read IGN's Tunic review
Taking a page from FromSoftware's own inspirations, *Tunic* echoes the exploration and wonder of the original Zelda games. Despite its cute anthropomorphic fox protagonist wielding a straight sword, *Tunic* offers a soulslike experience with its interconnected, 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 the mysterious past of its world.
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 charming visuals with dark narratives reminiscent of *Game of Thrones* or *The Witcher*. Narrated by Doug Cockle, the voice of Geralt of Rivia, these games feature tiny mouse knights in a world filled with blood, gore, and betrayal. While their storytelling style diverges from FromSoftware's, their meticulously crafted environments exude a similar atmosphere and character.
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 unique mechanic of inhabiting different "shells," each with preset builds, allowing varied approaches to boss fights. Its enemy design, especially the final boss, rivals the Lovecraftian Great Ones of *Bloodborne*. The game's combat is both challenging and epic, striking a balance that FromSoftware refined in *Bloodborne* and later titles.
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 progression model by requiring players to level down rather than up, making each fight progressively harder. This innovative mechanic enhances replayability, as players must choose which abilities to sacrifice before each boss battle. The game's bosses, inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins, demand strategic planning and understanding of their unique strengths and weaknesses.
Nine Sols
Developer: RedCandleGames | Publisher: RedCandleGames | Release date: May 29, 2024
Inspired by *Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice*, *Nine Sols* blends cyberpunk with East Asian mythology in a 2D action platformer. Its combat system emphasizes defense, requiring players to master dodging, blocking, and parrying. This focus creates a rhythmic dance of action and reaction, setting it apart from more aggressive combat styles.
Unsighted
Developer: Studio Pixel Punk | Publisher: Humble Games | Release date: September 30, 2021
*Unsighted* elevates the narrative and gameplay mechanics of character relationships found in Soulsborne games. Set in a world of automatons, every NPC has a limited power supply, adding urgency to your playthrough. This mechanic forces you to strategize the order of your progression, much like *The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask*.
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* is a unique soulslike where you play as a crustacean searching for a new home amidst the ocean's pollution. The game innovates by focusing on customizing your defensive shell rather than weapons. Each shell, made from human trash, offers different attacks and durability, encouraging varied playstyles.
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*. Set in demon-infested dungeons, its early access version provides a gripping experience despite its long development cycle. The game's sensitive controls make every encounter suspenseful, reminiscent of your initial struggles in Lordran or Drangleic.
AnswerSee ResultsThose are our 10 picks for the best indie soulslikes. But there are many more out there worth your time, including *Death's Door*, *Loot River*, *Featherfall*, and *Dark Devotion*. Did we include your favorite? Let us know if we missed a great one down in the comments. And for more challenging encounters, be sure to check out our list of the best soulslikes (non indie edition!)
