10 Great Soulslikes that are Fun Instantly

Since the popularization of the Soulslike genre, we've seen many failed experiments attempting to emulate FromSoftware's formula, but also many outstanding ones.

Despite claims that the inspiration has been overexploited, we've experienced a wealth of extraordinary games thanks to this muse, which continues to give us reason to believe there are still creative ways to draw upon it.

Whether from the indie scene, AA products, or big-budget blockbusters, the entire video game industry has been transformed in the last decade by Soulsborne games, carrying on their legacy with considerable pride.

Therefore, if you've already finished the entire FromSoftware catalog and still want to experience more of these unique adventures, I invite you to enjoy these ten great Soulslikes that are fun from the start.

10 Mortal Shell

An Imaginative Spin

Even though it did not generate as much of a positive consensus as I expected when it launched, Mortal Shell has become one of my clearest recommendations when it comes to Soulslikes.

Despite valid criticisms regarding the amount of content, manifested in a limited variety of enemies and a small number of areas, it's one of those cases where quality trumps quantity.

With its hardening system, which puts an imaginative spin on a mechanic as overused as parrying, it establishes a precise and powerful combat system where every blow is felt, and where every situation feels like a matter of life or death.

It's the kind of Soulsborne approach that prioritizes the feeling of desolation and the difficulty of each encounter, and that's something I greatly applaud in Mortal Shell. It may not be the most refined, but it makes every minute you dedicate to it worthwhile.

9 Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

Imperfect and Exciting

Following somewhat in the footsteps of another iconic Chinese video game we'll discuss later, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is among the most uneven yet captivating Soulslikes I've ever had the pleasure of playing.

It has some very low lows but also some very high highs, making you intrigued from the very first moment by its ability (or inability) to maintain that level of quality throughout the entire adventure, and I think it succeeds; imperfectly, but it succeeds.

The number of gameplay systems, weapons, and technical issues can be overwhelming, but if you're like me and let the intrigue and the benefit of the doubt guide you, along with realistic expectations, you might be in for a pleasant surprise.

Face its bosses, let yourself be carried away by the combat, enjoy every mechanical quirk it introduces at unexpected moments, and Wuchang: Fallen Feathers will end up in your memory as one of those 7/10 games you can't forget even if you tried.

8 Tunic

The True Concept of Exploration

With less focus on combat and more on exploration, Tunic is an anomaly in the Soulslike tradition I love to recommend whenever I have the chance.

In this sense, the game draws on the fundamental inspiration of the Souls games from The Legend of Zelda, understanding its world as a key to survival and building an entire adventure around the concept of deciphering your environment to overcome it.

It has bosses and enemies everywhere that are entertaining and challenging to defeat, yes, but Tunic's mastery lies in its ability to throw you into a living world without explanations, yet you find solace in discovering everything for yourself.

What to do, where to go, how the weapons work, what the enemies do, what the story's objective is… Tunic tells you nothing but silently guides you every step of the way, making it a masterful journey.

7 Another Crab’s Treasure

Much More than a Colorful Theme

Although I embarked on my adventure with Another Crab's Treasure with modest expectations, I never anticipated finding a game as charming and creative as this one.

From its theme, set in a colorful underwater world that critiques our environmental practices, to its combat, clearly inspired by the rhythms and choreography of FromSoftware, this is a title capable of evoking tremendous emotions.

Grabbing your first rusty fork and your cardboard shell for parries becomes intoxicating in seconds, and as you discover new movement tools, spectacular bosses, and weapons with different powers, things only get better.

By the time you reach the end, you'll have experienced an intense campaign with plenty of aquatic exploration, challenging squids with guns, and numerous thoughts on the pollution of our world. Believe me when I say Another Crab's Treasure will not leave you indifferent.

6 Hollow Knight

Melancholy that Captivates

I know everyone says Hollow Knight has a boring start, though I think that's a clear misunderstanding between being tedious and taking the time to build one of the greatest games of our time.

There isn't a single second you spend, either in the tutorial or in the first real area of ​​Hallownest, that you don't feel intrigued to see what each next room holds, as the game cleverly guides you to paths you can't access, building anticipation.

The combination of Soulslike and Metroidvania works wonderfully for both genres, which complement each other by placing such importance on progression, as demonstrated by Hollow Knight, which continues to introduce new features even in the final quarter of the game.

Through movement upgrades, different Charms, varied bosses, secret areas, encouraging NPCs, and a magnificent audiovisual presentation, it's clear to me Hollow Knight isn't slow, but rather unfolds at the pace you need to properly savor everything.

5 Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

A Dream for Science Fiction Fans

Since their work on Titanfall, Respawn Entertainment has become one of my favorite studios for a reason that's vividly evident in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order: their ability to create extremely dynamic video games.

When you consider the speed of each action sequence, the fluidity of the combat, the elegance of the movement, and the innovative approach to the genres the studio explores, it's easy to understand why Cal Kestis' story quickly captivates the eyes, hands, and ears.

Even if you're not a Star Wars fan, it's an accessible experience that replicates the fundamental elements of Soulsborne games, making it a superb introduction to both the film universe and the games that belong to the genre.

Furthermore, unlike your typical Soulslike, you can adjust the difficulty to suit your skill level, making Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order an excellent entry point as well as a devilishly fun and satisfying game.

4 Salt & Sanctuary

A Flawless 2D Translation

People often underestimate how difficult it is to reinterpret an entire video game's philosophy with one less dimension, which is why the industry tends to underappreciate Salt and Sanctuary's work.

As the first competent 2D Soulslike I can remember, Ska Studios managed to translate the feel of Dark Souls to a completely new world that feels just as hopeless but just as addictive to explore and discover.

With so many secrets and possibilities, every area is a cosmos to uncover, every weapon a world of options, and every boss a countless number of defeats that only serve to urge you to keep trying until you achieve victory.

After the moment you wash ashore on the island's salty beaches, pick up your first weapon, and start slaying the undead while marveling at the sheer verticality that such a horizontal world offers, I'd be surprised if Salt and Sanctuary doesn't end up among your all-time favorite indie games.

3 Remnant: From the Ashes

With Bullets, But Equally Ruthless

Speaking of video games that achieve unexpected feats, Remnant: From the Ashes maintains the three dimensions but swaps melee weapons for firearms, and that certainly represents an interesting transformation.

However, more than just impressive, it's a game that, leveraging its cooperative mode, provides one of the most addictive experiences of the last console generation, flying under the radar despite being significantly better than most of its contemporaries.

I can think of few video games that match Gunfire Games' title in terms of sheer fun, as it has such a magnificently crafted gameplay loop of combat, loot collection, exploration, and character upgrades that it's difficult to find any significant flaws.

It's not a perfect game, of course, and its slightly weak mythology and audiovisual component attest to that, though the way it adapts third-person shooter mechanics to the Soulslike structure can easily be considered flawless.

2 Black Myth: Wukong

A Millenary Adventure

As the landmark video game that became the first major Chinese title to penetrate the Western mainstream with enough force to be considered a Game of the Year contender, Black Myth: Wukong is undoubtedly among the genre's kings.

While its classification as a Soulslike game is debated by many, what cannot be questioned is how much it is inspired by the works that defined the genre, paying tribute while simultaneously changing many of its key elements.

In this process of transforming the foundations laid by FromSoftware, adding a vast, ancient mythology whose adaptation is captivating and commendable, crafted with great decorum and devotion, Black Myth: Wukong becomes independent without shying away from its heritage.

Colossal bosses, pattern-based fights with extraordinary choreography, an emphasis on secret encounters and obtuse side quests… It's a perfectly consummated power fantasy, and one that does justice to the Monkey King, who found his best audiovisual expression since Dragon Ball.

1 Lies of P

The Perfect Adaptation

I rarely make absolute statements, but I'm afraid I find it difficult to refer to Lies of P as anything less than the best Soulslike ever created.

First and foremost, because I believe it most faithfully follows the tradition that precedes it, striving to include every single one of the mechanical and structural elements that underpin Hidetaka Miyazaki's creations.

Even more so, because Lies of P is the only title in the entire genre that truly rivals the works on which it's based, creating a world that excels in everything that characterizes them.

The level design, density of weapons and tools, depth and complexity of the bosses, interconnectedness of the maps, story told through the characters and the environment, and other aspects of this nature are masterful, enhanced by the fact that it also adapts the Pinocchio fable in the process.

The moment you choose your weapon and unleash your first slash, you know Lies of P is something special. And that feeling lingers when you face your first boss, hear your first piece of the soundtrack, or discover your first secret. The game is brimming with surprises, and while it starts strong, it ends far beyond your wildest dreams.