7 Hidden Gems Soulslike Games From Famous Video Game Developers

If you take a closer look at the history of the gaming industry, it is easy to see that it lives for surfing temporary waves. That’s because certain genres and subgenres explode in popularity, dominating the conversation for years before eventually cooling down to make room for the next big thing.

We saw it happen when home consoles first emerged during the Pong era, and later with the massive rise of deep RPGs, open-world structures, and the live-service boom.

However, one specific subgenre has managed to stay in the spotlight since its inception, thanks to a franchise you might have heard of: Dark Souls. Starting in the late 2010s, the industry witnessed the birth of a subgenre that would foster an incredibly passionate community – one that remains stronger than ever today.

Since then, we have seen studios of all sizes (from indie darlings to AAA giants) trying their hand at the Soulslike formula. Curiously, many of these titles came from developers and publishers that are household names today, yet their forays into this punishing genre didn't quite achieve legendary status or simply faded away after launch.

And I’m here today to make sure these games don't fall into a dark hole and lose thousands of souls (it happens to the best of us), so it is time to revisit some little-known Soulslike titles from famous devs that definitely deserve a first or second chance!

7 The Surge 1

Deck13’s First Step

Nowadays, whenever we hear about Deck13 Interactive, we immediately think of Lords of the Fallen, especially with how much the franchise has grown recently – even with a sequel on the way.

However, the German studio truly began carving its Soulslike path with The Surge, back in 2017. While it was well-received at launch, it somehow ended up being overshadowed by its younger, dark-fantasy siblings over the years. Now, it is rare to see fans bringing it up in conversations today, and I can’t tell you how many times I have mentioned it to friends, only to hear: “Oh, that’s right! That game was actually great, I forgot about it”.

And it truly is! The Surge, both the first and the second game, is a modern sci-fi action RPG that feels incredibly refreshing thanks to its staggering variety of weapons and movesets. But for me, nothing beats the limb-targeting system: the fact that each weapon type has a unique finisher animation for each specific limb of a humanoid enemy is just insane. It is a level of mechanical detail that deserves to be remembered and known.

6 Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin

Starts Playing Limp Bizkit

When it was first announced, Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin was described as a hardcore action RPG with the bold task of taking Final Fantasy, a franchise usually bound to traditional JRPG roots, into the Soulslike universe.

But as soon as a legendary, cheesy trailer dropped featuring the protagonist playing Limp Bizkit on his phone to drown out a villain, we all knew exactly what kind of wild ride we were in for – and thank God (or Square Enix, in this case) for that, because we got a truly unique experience!

Sure, the game has its balancing quirks and a story that leans hard into the “so bad it's good” territory, but the action is top-tier. It is incredibly fun if you just turn off your brain and enjoy beating up some classic Final Fantasy enemies reimagined for a Soulslike pace.

But what makes it a perfect fit for this list is that people often forget this rough gem was developed by Team Ninja – that’s right, the Souls masters behind Nioh, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Rise of the Ronin, and Ninja Gaiden!

5 Nine Sols

A Sekiro-Inspired Journey for Cat Lovers

This one is actually a personal “note to self” because I hold Red Candle Games in such high regard as horror masters that I often have a hard time remembering that the same studio behind the terrifying Detention and the controversial Devotion is also responsible for the stunningly cute Soulslike, Nine Sols.

And I say “cute” because you play as a cat-like warrior in a world of gorgeous, colorful hand-drawn art, which is a massive departure from the studio's usual creepy vibes!

But don't let the feline protagonist completely fool you, since this is a fantastic and punishing 2D action-platformer. Its combat is heavily (and surprisingly) inspired by Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, prioritizing precise deflections and parries over dodging. It was easily one of the best indie titles of 2024, yet it somehow flew under most people’s radars.

4 Vampyr

A Soulslite Bite from DONTNOD

Okay, I will admit it: I’m going to cheat a bit for this one, since Vampyr is actually an action RPG with a Soulslite structure, but it is for a good cause – mostly because I’m willing to bet you don’t remember the folks behind this baby.

The game basically casts you as a doctor-turned-vampire in the middle of 1918 London, a city buckling under the strain of the final year of World War I, food shortages, and a crushing, somber atmosphere. In this grim setting, you must explore semi-open districts and face creatures far more dangerous than yourself.

However, the real hook here is the morality system: if you refuse to consume human blood, you will stay weak, and the game becomes significantly harder. However, if you surrender to your vampiric urges and feast on the citizens, you will become an unstoppable killing machine. It is a neat “difficulty-meets-narrative” mechanic where every life you take to gain power has a direct impact on the stability of London’s streets.

What makes this experience so surprising, though, is that this bloody dance of morality was created by the delicate minds at DONTNOD – yes, the same studio responsible for Life is Strange and Tell Me Why, which are grounded, emotional storytelling! This pivot to a dark, combat-heavy RPG was a surprising chapter for the studio, and while it is often overlooked in the genre, Vampyr remains an experience that you should sink your teeth into.

3 Titan Souls

A Boss Rush Prequel to Death’s Door

I imagine that you have probably stumbled across Titan Souls at some point during a Steam sale, since its striking pixel art is hard to miss, but I’m equally sure you had no idea it was created by Acid Nerve, the same talented folks behind the massive hit Death’s Door!

While their 2021 masterpiece about a soul-reaping crow exploded into the mainstream and dominated the awards circuit, their earlier work didn't quite get the same time in the spotlight. Released about six years before its younger sibling, Titan Souls ended up living in the shadows of its own developer's later success – but that’s incredibly unfair, if you ask me, since this game is a Soulslike in its purest “boss rush” form, with amazing, enormous bosses.

It is a brutal and beautifully designed experience that deserves the same love and recognition as Death’s Door. If you’re a fan of the “tough-but-fair” philosophy and want to see where Acid Nerve’s genius truly began, Titan Souls is a must-play.

2 Steelrising

A Different French Revolution

NACON is a publisher known for its incredibly eclectic catalog, bringing us everything from the iconic RoboCop: Rogue City and Hell is Us to the haunting Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss. With such a diverse portfolio, it was only a matter of time before they dipped their toes into the Soulslike genre, right?

And they already did that a few years ago with Steelrising, a unique action RPG that trades dark fantasy castles for an alternate-history French Revolution filled with mechanical monstrosities, which is quite the twist.

At launch, the game faced a somewhat mixed reception, primarily due to technical bugs that hampered the overall experience. However, many players (including myself) praised it for being an honest and solid entry in the genre, offering a refreshing take on the formula with its setting.

Sadly, despite its bold premise, Steelrising has largely faded into obscurity, and I rarely see it mentioned in Soulslike recommendations. It is a shame, because underneath the gears and steam lies a truly creative adventure that deserves a second chance.

1 Let it Die

Grasshopper Manufacture’s Take on Souslike

I know the definition of Let it Die is quite debatable, and many players are divided when it comes to labeling it a Soulslike. However, I personally love describing it as Suda51’s take on the genre – meaning it’s exactly as wild as that description sounds. After all, we are talking about the developer known for the chaotic energy of the No More Heroes series, Killer7, Lollipop Chainsaw, and The Silver Case.

It is a survival action game where players must climb a treacherous tower in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo, and it is wrapped in an incredibly bizarre and complex story that I will spare you from trying to explain here (it is one of those experiences you don’t really "understand," you just feel it!).

But beneath the layers of punk-rock insanity, the core combat feels remarkably Soulsy, where you can equip weapons in both hands, roll to dodge attacks, lock on to enemies, and manage a stamina bar. It is definitely the most “out there” title on this list, but for those who want their punishing difficulty served with a side of pure Suda51 madness, Let it Die is a trip worth taking.