Recently, fans of the Soulsborne genre were taken aback by the news that FromSoftware's latest project, The Duskbloods—an online multiplayer game with a quasi-Victorian aesthetic reminiscent of Bloodborne 2—is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2, priced at $449.99. While this news has undoubtedly left many fans feeling let down, there's no need to despair. Since the groundbreaking release of Dark Souls in 2011, numerous developers have ventured into crafting games that either echo or innovate upon FromSoftware's unique formula. While some have stumbled, others have triumphed, creating experiences that resonate with fans of Hidetaka Miyazaki's work.
You may already be acquainted with some of the more prominent titles like Nioh, Lies of P, and Black Myth: Wukong. However, the most inventive and effective soulslike games often come from small indie teams. These developers, constrained by budget and manpower, have compensated with creativity, delivering games that satisfy the same cravings as FromSoftware's masterpieces.
Here, in no particular order, are ten of the best indie soulslikes you can enjoy without needing a Switch 2.
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 numerous elements, such as exploration, skill-based combat, cryptic lore, environmental storytelling, and epic boss battles. Eldest Souls focuses on the latter, offering a boss-rush gauntlet. As a lone warrior navigating a sprawling, Bloodborne-inspired citadel, players face creatively-designed monsters. The game's dynamic 2D combat system ensures that battles feel engaging and strategic, despite fundamentally requiring precise timing.
Blasphemous
Developer: The Game Kitchen | Publisher: Team17 | Release date: September 10, 2019 | Review: Read IGN's Blasphemous review
Fans of Bloodborne's eerie atmosphere will find solace in Blasphemous, a 2D metroidvania set in the haunting world of Cvstodia. This game draws inspiration from Renaissance Italy and Inquisition-era Spain, presenting a masked crusader uncovering eldritch horrors within a Roman Catholicism-inspired order. The game's character and boss designs, which continue to impress in Blasphemous 2 and its Mea Culpa DLC, rival FromSoftware's ability to evoke the unsettling nature of historical Christian iconography.
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 channels the curiosity and wonder of the original Zelda games. Don't be deceived by its adorable fox protagonist; this 3D isometric action-adventure game mirrors FromSoftware's interconnected and deliberately obtuse level design. Without objective markers or decipherable dialogue, Tunic invites players to unravel the mysteries of its world, much like the Dark Souls trilogy and Elden Ring.
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 picture book aesthetics with dark themes of blood, gore, and betrayal, reminiscent of Game of Thrones or The Witcher. Narrated by Doug Cockle, the voice of Geralt of Rivia, these action RPGs feature meticulously crafted environments that exude the same character and atmosphere found in Dark Souls and Elden Ring.
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 visually striking design and innovative mechanic of possessing different "shells," each with preset builds. This allows players to experiment with various playstyles against challenging bosses. The game's combat strikes a balance between difficulty and epicness, reminiscent of Bloodborne's fast-paced battles, which later influenced Dark Souls 3 and beyond.
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 soulslike progression by requiring players to level down, making each subsequent fight more challenging. This mechanic enhances replayability, as players must choose which abilities to sacrifice before each boss battle. With bosses modeled after the Seven Deadly Sins, strategic planning and familiarity with each foe's strengths and weaknesses are crucial.
Nine Sols
Developer: RedCandleGames | Publisher: RedCandleGames | Release date: May 29, 2024
Nine Sols draws heavily from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, focusing on defensive combat through dodging, blocking, and parrying. This 2D action platformer seamlessly integrates cyberpunk elements with East Asian mythology and spirituality, requiring players to master a rhythm of action and reaction in combat encounters.
Unsighted
Developer: Studio Pixel Punk | Publisher: Humble Games | Release date: September 30, 2021
Unsighted leverages the Soulsborne theme of a doomed world by integrating it into its narrative and gameplay mechanics. Set in a world of automatons, every NPC has a limited power supply, adding urgency and strategic planning to the metroidvania experience. Players must race against time to save characters before their power runs out.
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 brings a unique twist to the genre, focusing on defensive customization. Playing as a crustacean searching for their shell in a polluted ocean, players must adapt to different playstyles using various pieces of human garbage as shells. Each shell offers unique attacks and limited durability, adding depth to the underwater adventure.
Exanima
Developer: Bare Mettle Entertainment | Publisher: Bare Mettle Entertainment | Release date: April 29, 2015
Described as a blend of Dark Souls and Getting Over It, Exanima is a physics-based survival game set in demon-infested dungeons. Despite its ongoing development and long intervals between updates, the early access version offers substantial entertainment. The game's sensitive controls make every encounter suspenseful, reminiscent of the initial challenges faced in Lordran or Drangleic.
AnswerSee ResultsThese are our top 10 indie soulslikes. However, the genre offers many more gems, such as *Death's Door*, *Loot River*, *Featherfall*, and *Dark Devotion*. Have we missed your favorite? Share your picks in the comments below. And for more challenging adventures, explore our list of the best non-indie soulslikes!
