9 Soulslikes That Shaped Modern Gaming More Than Players Realized

Few genres have as much to offer for gaming as Soulslikes. The term is directly related to the Dark Souls universe, and it has some very specific characteristics. Some of them are: imposing bosses with huge health bars, timed attack patterns and AoEs, checkpoints in the form of bonfires or something similar, and a currency for upgrades, be it Souls, Runes, Geodes, and more.

Nowadays, we can all enjoy some amazing titles from more modern times, but before those came, there were some, especially in the last decade, and the first half of this one, that really helped define what a Soulslike was, and how it should play and feel. Here are some of the most remarkable you might not realize were highly influential.

9 Lords of the Fallen (2014)

The Original Title That Inspired a Great Reboot

Most people will agree that the reboot from 2023 is miles better than Lords of the Fallen from 2014. The story is, in my opinion, better, the game mechanics are more polished, and the overall experience feels more interesting. That said, we cannot ignore the role the original game played in not only developing the subsequent release, but also in paving the road for other Soulslikes that came later.

The original Lords of the Fallen also has a great advantage, as, despite its flaws, it remains one of those Soulslikes that are fun from the start, pitting you against significant obstacles from the get-go.

8 Code Vein

A Solid Take on the Soulslike Genre

While it doesn't feel as threatening as some other Soulsikes, Code Vein does offer a very interesting experience that's both challenging and entertaining, especially thanks to its post-apocalyptic setting and the horrors you must fight as you progress through the game. This title, while not as old as a few others on this list, did play a significant role in laying the foundations for more modern titles that would follow it.

Granted, the combat mechanics, while not terrible, could use a little polishing in a few areas, but even so, I still find Code Vein quite enjoyable and have played it more than a few times from start to finish.

7 Mortal Shell

Basic in Many Aspects, But Fun Nonetheless

The concept behind Mortal Shell is very interesting, even if it's not innovative or unique in most ways. For the most part, it plays and feels like a regular Soulslike. There are fearsome bosses, dodging mechanics, and clear checkpoints to save your progress. All in all, while I like the game, I always thought it had more to give, and that it was one of those Soulslikes that deserved a sequel.

It seems like my prayers were answered, as there's currently a sequel in development at the time of writing this article. Without the original Mortal Shell, the sequel, which looks promising, wouldn't have been possible. That alone gives it a well-deserved place on this list.

6 Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

A Smart Combination of Jedi Combat and Soulslike Mechanics

I've always been a sucker for Star Wars. Whether it is movies, series, or video games, I'm always down to discover more about the franchise's enormous universe. When I first played Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, I was immediately captivated by the narrative, the graphics, and the amazing combat mechanics as I cut down hordes of Stormtroopers and Dark Jedi.

Although this game isn't that old, it did lay the foundations for its sequel and many more games that came after it in its genre. Moreover, I'd go as far as to say that it is one of the Soulslikes that reward exploration the most, as there are several secrets, outfits, and lightsaber components to find.

5 Lies of P

Arguably the Hardest Parrying System in Any Soulslike

This is yet another title that is actually quite recent, and still, it has managed to shape what other Soulslikes in the future should hope to attain. Lies of P is the perfect combination between the Dark Souls franchise's mechanics, the parrying from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and at times, the environments of BioShock Infinite. It might not be the hardest Soulslike out there, but the parrying mechanics are, for sure, one of the most challenging, as they require absolute precision.

There's honestly so much to learn from Lies of P, and on top of that, it's arguably one of the Soulslikes with the best DLCs. I still have beating Arlecchino on my to-do list.

4 Salt and Sanctuary

An Enormous Skill Tree That Complements the Gaming Experience

Personally, I like Soulslikes in 3D better than I do those in 2D. However, I was happy to make an exception with Salt and Sanctuary, as it captivated me from the moment I started playing it. There's so much to love about this title, from its art style, to its combat mechanics and the boss fights that feature not one, but two bosses at the same time—nothing new for a Soulslike, but it's always welcome to have that challenge.

I'm convinced that, while their concepts are very different, Salt and Sanctuary helped inspire various 2D Soulslikes, like Blasphemous, which is, in and of itself, a masterpiece.

3 Nioh

The Beginning of an Outstanding Franchise

Set in the 1600s in Japan, Nioh places you in the role of an Irish samurai named William. This title kickstarted what would become a beloved franchise. Although it's not as popular as other Soulslikes, this doesn't mean it's bad in any way, shape or form. It presents players with a compelling narrative, fast-paced action, and visual elements that intensify everything.

I believe this title should get a lot more credit than it does, as it definitely helped shape many games that followed in its footsteps years later.

2 Hollow Knight

Bosses Are Challenging, But Fair

Few games have captivated me as much as Hollow Knight. From the moment I stepped into the Hallownest and started talking to all its hopeless denizens, I understood this wasn't going to be just any 2D Soulslike. Every area of the game feels different and full of life, even when there are infected bugs everywhere and perils around every corner.

I find Hollow Knight to be one of the Soulslikes with the most enemy variety, as they change with every area and there are some upgraded versions of a few of them here and there. Hollow Knight not only paved the road for Hollow Knight: Silksong, but it also did the same for other subsequent 2D Soulslikes.

1 Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Patience and Pattern Recognition Are Critical

I won't lie, no other Soulslike has ever brought me closer to wanting to destroy a controller than Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Don't get me wrong, I love the game, the story, the environments, the boss fights, and the game mechanics—but boy, is it challenging.

Although this game is also developed by FromSoftware, it feels unique and independent of the Dark Souls franchise. Dodging here isn't the key mechanic: parrying is. Granted, the parrying mechanics are a bit more forgiving than those from Lies of P, but they still take a while to get the hang of. All in all, I think Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice deserves to be recognized, as it proved that you can have a Soulslike solely based on parrying and still deliver a masterpiece. Personally, I think this is one of those Soulslikes that have more fluid combat than Elden Ring, as much as I love that jewel.