Best Games Like Elden Ring

FromSoftware took a bit of a gamble with Elden Ring. Although the Dark Souls series had developed quite a cult following, some people were skeptical that the creators could replicate the franchise’s success in an open-world setting. Thankfully, all that skepticism and doubt subsided once the anticipated release hit store shelves. Elden Ring managed to surpass expectations for many, developing a massive following and standing firm as one of the best titles that FromSoftware has ever created.

It’s a lengthy adventure, and players can spend countless hours exploring the vast reaches of The Lands Between. However, once they have finished the release and played through the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, the Tarnished might find themselves craving something similar that they can sink their teeth into. Here’s a look at some of the best games with Elden Ring vibes, whether they be open-world style releases, or simply titles that offer players immense challenge and entertainment value.

Updated December 31, 2024 by Mark Sammut: As Elden Ring is grim, intense, and relentless, a change of scenery can be refreshing. Consequently, a peculiar 2024 Soulslike has been added as a recommendation. Click below to jump directly to this game.

1

The Dark Souls Series

Setting The Stage For Elden Ring

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  Dark Souls

  Released

  
  September 22, 2011
  

  Pros

  • Deep & Great Lore
  • While A Bit Rougher At Times, The Combat Is Basically Identical To Elden Ring
  • Fantastic Level Design

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  Dark Souls 2

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  Dark Souls 3

Those who have played Elden Ring but haven’t yet been through the Dark Souls series need to put it at the top of their list. This is perhaps the closest experience to Elden Ring in terms of gameplay and combat, though it’s not nearly as open-world as FromSoftware’s latest offering. That said, the worlds offered in the Dark Souls saga are just as dark, foreboding, and vastly imaginative as some of The Lands Between. Players that enjoy the gritty aesthetic of Elden Ring‘s dungeons, castles, and catacombs, will find themselves right at home.

The Dark Souls series pioneered the formula found in Elden Ring, meaning players will already be familiar with the idea of resting at particular areas to level their character up, as well as the weapons and armor systems found throughout each game. While exploration plays a part, Dark Souls does generally guide players in one direction, especially during their first playthroughs. In terms of boss fights, each game knocks its roster out of the park, delivering fights that are memorable, challenging, and unique. Even Dark Souls 2, the black sheep of the franchise, is worth a playthrough.

2

Demon’s Souls

Where The Souls Genre Began…And Its Remake

• 	Demon’s Souls	Demon’s Souls (2020)
  Platform(s)	PlayStation 3	PlayStation 5
  Released	2009-10-06	2020-11-12
  Developer(s)	From Software	Bluepoint Games
  Genre(s)	Soulslike, Action RPG	RPG

Elden Ring is the culmination of more than a decade of trials, tribulations, evolution, and sweat. While perhaps FromSoftware’s most popular game, Elden Ring is far from the be-all and end-all, and players who got introduced to the developer’s work through the 2022 release owe it to themselves to not ignore the past. Dark Souls will likely call out to most people and is the best second step after Elden Ring; however, Demon’s Souls is just as special and should be considered a must-play.

Released in 2009, Demon’s Souls was a breath of fresh air and garnered acclaim for its Metroidvania-esque level design, cinematic boss fights, build variety, and just sheer ambition. While Elden Ring represents the (current) final form of Soulslikes, Demon’s Souls laid the foundation which The Lands Between was built upon. The original version has aged well enough to still warrant a mention in this day and age, but the 2020 remake is a respectful and fateful adaptation that looks and plays brilliantly.

Despite having plenty of similarities with its successors, Demon’s Souls is quite a different experience. For one, the main challenge comes from the areas rather than the bosses, the latter of which are fun but rarely very challenging. Slow and steady is generally the best approach to most situations, with the game not encouraging or rewarding aggressive play (particularly during the first playthrough). Rather than one continuous realm, Demon’s Souls utilizes a hub system that links to five worlds that each have unique bonfires/levels. The player’s actions and performance influence the World Tendency, which has a pretty big impact on stages.

3

Bloodborne

FromSoftware’s Gothic Soulslike Masterpiece

Some of the enemies and NPCs found in Elden Ring are a bit grotesque in their appearance. There are some aspects of The Lands Between that are teeming with otherworldly horrors or afflicted with a sickness of sorts. Although it’s unique in its own right, it’s not the first time that FromSoftware has explored visually unsavory things. The horror-infused aspects of Elden Ring are reminiscent of Bloodborne‘s Gothic imagery, another Soulslike release from the developer.

Bloodborne is a much darker release than Elden Ring, more akin to Dark Souls in its punishing world design. Players will tangle with a wide array of powerful and horrific bosses as they make their way through corrupted areas filled with gorgeous architecture. As great as most of FromSoftware’s non-open-world Soulslike projects are, Bloodborne arguably presents the strongest case for being the developer’s masterpiece. Prioritizing fast-paced and aggressive combat, the game starts strong and never lets up, including a fantastic expansion that is just as much of a must-play as the base content.

4

Rise Of The Ronin

Team Ninja’s Take On An Open-World

Team Ninja has spent the last decade carving out its own identity in the Soulslike subgenre. Similar to FromSoftware, the developer eventually decided to try to implement its rock-solid combat into an open-world, resulting in 2024’s Rise of the Ronin. Launching on the same day as Dragon’s Dogma 2, Team Ninja’s release was overshadowed by Capcom’s game; however, out of the two releases, Rise of the Ronin is arguably a stronger pick for Elden Ring fans.

Now, it should be said that the game’s open-world design has more in common with projects like Assassin’s Creed or Horizon Zero Dawn than FromSoftware’s release, so players will largely spend their time clearing markers from the map. Looking beyond that, Rise of the Ronin offers an accessible Soulslike gameplay loop that is deep and satisfying. The combat focuses heavily on parrying and traversal, making for a fast-paced system that does not lack variety due to a respectable range of weapon types. Customization is a big part of Rise of the Ronin‘s identity, granting players the freedom to morph equipment to suit their fancy.

5

The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild & Tears Of The Kingdom

Expansive Open-World That Emphasizes Player Freedom

• 	The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild	The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
  Platform(s)	Nintendo Wii U, Switch	Nintendo Switch
  Released	2017-03-03	2023-05-12
  Developer(s)	Nintendo EPD	Nintendo
  Genre(s)	Action, Adventure	Adventure
  How Long To Beat	50 Hours	59 Hours

Similar to how Elden Ring arguably rejuvenated the open-world format, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild did the same thing in 2017. Despite being on the relatively weak Switch console, the game is massive, unleashing players on the most expansive version of Hyrule (at the time) and then telling them to just have fun.

Now, it needs to be said that BOTW and Elden Ring are very different in key ways. Their combat systems are not only nothing alike, but it is not even the main focus of BOTW. Although not completely devoid of customization options, the Zelda game is not designed around crafting unique characters or exploring different classes; after all, players are role-playing as Link. While technically containing loot, BOTW expects players to treat weapons as disposable. Boss encounters are rare and mostly pretty easy (except for some world bosses).

Still, for all their differences, BOTW and Elden Ring‘s exploration and world layout are cut from the same cloth. Both games embrace full sandboxes, encouraging players to venture forth with very little direction. Plot beats are mostly limited to side quests, lore drops, and environmental storytelling, all of which can be ignored if that is somebody’s preference. BOTW focuses a lot more on puzzles than Elden Ring, but they both excel in their exploration.

Tears of the Kingdom mostly builds on BOTW‘s foundations, delivering a proper sequel that mostly retains the same core map but adds mechanics and new areas. While not having the same desolate atmosphere as its predecessor, TOTK is a great follow-up.

6

Stellar Blade

Way More Than Just A Pretty Face

Going by its pre-demo marketing, one would have been forgiven for believing that Stellar Blade‘s only offering was an attractive protagonist; however, Shift Up also happened to put together a wonderful action RPG. Cast as one of humanity’s remaining soldiers tasked with protecting Earth from the Naytibas, Stellar Blade shines in a few specific areas: combat, fashion, and exploration.

The former is, ultimately, the RPG’s strongest selling point and the best chance it has to keep players interested throughout the very long campaign. Similar to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice or Lies of P, Stellar Blade emphasizes dodging and parrying, both of which are linked to unique attacks that reward mastery of these systems. The game features an impressive selection of enemy types and bosses, shaking things up consistently to ensure there is always something new on the horizon. Even though Eve mostly fights with the same blade, upgrade options and secondary weapons help add some variety as well; that said, loot is not as expansive as Elden Ring.

Perhaps surprisingly, Stellar Blade has quite a few wide open areas that emphasize exploration, and these sections can feel similar to The Lands Between. More importantly, Eve has a lot of costumes that all look great.

7

Shadow Of The Colossus

Mountain-Size Bosses & Grim Setting

Many of the bosses found in Elden Ring are imposing and a handful stand as towering giants. Those who love the aesthetic and challenge of fighting these super-sized creatures can turn to Shadow of the Colossus after their Elden Ring adventure. It’s pretty linear, with players taking down colossal creatures in a specific order, but the areas and creatures are gritty, much like the foes found in The Lands Between.

Shadow of the Colossus is much more of a boss gauntlet than an explorative adventure, but players who enjoy learning the ins and outs of combat and striking down towering enemies should enjoy this gem. While Team Ico’s 2005 original is a classic, the 2018 remake is the best entry point for new players as it comes with a notable performance boost, something that is an issue with its PS2-bound predecessor (although the remaster is fine too).

8

Nioh Series

Intense Combat That Is (Generally) More Fast-Paced Than Elden Ring

• 	Nioh	Nioh 2
  Platform(s)	PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC	PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC
  Released	2017-02-07	2020-03-13
  Developer(s)	Team Ninja	Team Ninja
  Genre(s)	Action RPG	Action RPG
  System	PC, PlayStation	PC, PlayStation
  OpenCritic Page	https://opencritic.com/game/3539/nioh	https://opencritic.com/game/8782/nioh-2
  Top Critic Rating	88	85
  Critics Recommend %	97	93

Team Ninja has been enamored with Soulslikes for the last half a decade, and the developer has produced some of the subgenre’s most memorable and hardest games. While Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is an easy recommendation for fans of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, the company’s strongest Soulslikes projects are the Nioh games. Both titles are incredible in their own right, and although they are definitely cut from the same cloth, they do have enough differences for them to stand out on their own.

The original Nioh follows William Adams as he goes on a supernatural-laced adventure through the final few years of Feudal Japan. Despite role-playing as a specific samurai, Nioh provides players with a fair amount of customization options when it comes to weapons and Guardian Spirits. Team Ninja’s Ninja Gaiden background shines through Nioh‘s combat, which is considerably more fast-paced than FromSoftware’s typical outings. The sequel builds on many of its predecessor’s strongest features, while also introducing a player-created character.

Nioh does not offer Elden Ring‘s open-world exploration, but they do deliver fantastic action, deep mechanics that have a steep learning curve, and thrilling boss fights that rank among the best in the Soulslike sphere.

9

Star Wars Jedi Games

A Galaxy Far, Far Away Goes Through Its Soulslike Phase

• 	Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order	Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
  Platform(s)	Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PS5, PS4, PC, Stadia, Xbox One	PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PC
  Released	2019-11-15	2023-04-28
  Developer(s)	Respawn Entertainment	Respawn Entertainment
  Genre(s)	Action, Adventure	Soulslike, Action-Adventure

EA and Respawn took a jab at the Soulslike genre through the Star Wars Jedi series, which consists of two games that rank among the sci-fi franchise’s best efforts. As Cal Kestis, players travel to different planets in the cosmos, all the while trying to stay ahead of the Galactic Empire. The games blend exploration, platforming, and action quite well, which makes sense as the individual planets are framed after classic Metroidvania projects. Consequently, Cal gradually expands his moveset, granting him access to new areas along the way.

There is a lot to love about both Fallen Order and Survivor. They tell pretty good stories that build on each other well, and they do admirable jobs of bringing to life one of the most beloved universes in fiction. While not full-blown open-worlds, the individual planets are quite large, particularly in Survivor. The combat is, arguably, the weakest element of these games as it can lack precision at times; however, Respawn still created some of the best lightsaber action in gaming.

10

Hollow Knight

2D Metroidvania Masterpiece With Soulslike Combat

Hollow Knight is solid proof that Indie games can be just as engrossing, challenging, and entertaining as AAA releases. Those looking for a fantastic (and sometimes frustrating) 2D adventure through a dark enemy-filled world should check out this epic from Team Cherry. A sidescrolling release, Hollow Knight makes great use of smooth platforming mechanics and upgrades in a Metroidvania styling, forcing players to explore their surroundings to find new skills and items to progress further into the Hallownest.

There’s a beautiful, haunting, and strife-filled world to be found in Hollow Knight, similar to what players will experience in Elden Ring. Although the combat isn’t as over-the-top thanks to the 2D styling, it’s still incredibly satisfying and quite challenging as players progress.

11

Dragon’s Dogma 2

Action RPG That Prioritizes Combat Over Story

2012’s Dragon’s Dogma is a cult classic, and nothing more than that. Just to be clear, Capcom created a solid action RPG that holds up pretty well and is still worth playing today. Nevertheless, its relatively niche status means its much more inescapable sequel will likely attract plenty of new players, some of whom might go in expecting something very similar to Elden Ring. Although a worthwhile option for fans of FromSoftware’s open-world masterpiece, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is an entirely different beast that does not share too many direct parallels with Elden Ring.

For one, Capcom’s sequel is not Soulslike, despite not being far removed from that subgenre. Dragon’s Dogma 2‘s open-world is divided into paths designed to guide players through the map and main missions. Exploration is still encouraged and fun, but it is not as open of a sandbox as Elden Ring or older titles like Skyrim. For all its differences, Dragon’s Dogma 2 shines in many of the same areas as FromSoftware’s best projects. The combat system is flexible, deep, and incredibly satisfying. While the variety could be better, the game has a great selection of enemies that pack an incredible punch, especially since they often attack in mobs. The vocation system presents many build avenues, and it is enhanced by the ability to craft Pawns as support companions. Simply surviving in Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a challenge, and the RPG expects players to truly master its systems.

12

No Rest For The Wicked

Punishing Isometric Action RPG

Do not be misled by the screenshots – No Rest for the Wicked has more in common with Elden Ring than Diablo. While not completely unheard of, isometric Soulslike games are surprisingly rare, especially ones that have an aesthetic similar to classic action RPGs. In early access at the moment, No Rest for the Wicked is already an exciting prospect, with the available content showcasing finely-tuned combat, an immersive dark fantasy world, and a few survival-style mechanics that help separate the project from other titles.

Moon Studios drops players on Socra, an island running on fumes and desperation due to a creature-creating plague. Unsurprisingly, players will mostly spend their time fighting off these entities, most of which pack a considerable punch. Furthermore, No Rest for the Wicked tries hard to reduce the change of overpowered builds, including the incorporation of weapon degradation and disposable health items.

13

Ashen

An Early Soulslike Attempt To Go Open-World

An indie attempt at crafting a Soulslike experience, Ashen was A44’s first project, and the company did a great job replicating FromSoftware’s formula. The 2018 game undeniably wears its influence loud and proud, to the point that its combat system feels almost identical to Dark Souls and, by extension, Elden Ring. While not the most original, Ashen‘s gameplay is still a lot of fun.

The RPG’s most eye-catching feature is its art style. Ashen opts for cel-shaded visuals, which are a surprisingly perfect fit for the Soulslike genre. Although nowhere near as open or expansive as Elden Ring, A44’s project takes place in an open-world that presents players with a fair amount of freedom when it comes to exploration. Ashen is more open than most Soulslikes on the market, and it is among the easier games to fit this mold.

A44’s Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is on Game Pass for anyone craving a Soulslite experience. Similar to Ashen, the 2024 release is essentially open-world, although its setting is not quite as cohesive. The combat is not a full-blown Soulslike and plays like a blend of the genre and God of War 2018, which sounds interesting on paper but is mixed in execution. Mid-tier AA games need to exist, so Flintlock warrants a shout-out; however, keep expectations low.

14

Lies Of P

More Bloodborne Than Elden Ring, But Still Awesome

Admittedly, Lies of P is a better shout for fans of Bloodborne since the game takes obvious inspiration from that FromSoftware masterpiece, but it is nevertheless a must-play for anyone remotely interested in the Soulslike genre. Using Pinocchio as a launching pad, the 2023 release casts players as a Gothic version of the legendary puppet and cuts them loose in Krat, a city that has seen better days. Once a utopia, the metropolis turned into a hellscape when the puppets that once served humans turned against their masters, spreading widespread suffering across the city’s streets. Deadly puppets are also not the only monsters that Pinocchio has to worry about.

Featuring fast-paced combat and a decent selection of weapons, Lies of P is a lot of fun to play, and it packs a considerable punch as well. The game does not offer the same level of customization or freedom as Elden Ring, opting to aim for quality rather than quantity and quantity; however, there are enough options to give players some wiggle room in how they approach scenarios. The game is also not an open-world, although exploration is possible to an extent.

15

Ghost Of Tsushima

Gorgeous Open-World & Accessible Hack And Slash Combat

This recommendation depends on what someone is craving. Ghost of Tsushima is a relatively traditional open-world game that shares quite a few similarities with Ubisoft’s projects or the Horizon games. There is nothing wrong with these types of releases, but they generally revolve around clearing checkmarks on a large map. Consequently, they tend to lack Elden Ring‘s sense of discovery, which could be a dealbreaker for a lot of people. Beyond that, GoT is a historical epic that focuses on the Mongols’ invasion of Japan; as such, do not go in expecting the campaign to feature mythological creatures.

Despite being a very different game at its core, GoT still warrants a mention due to a few key elements. For one, the open-world is constantly breathtaking. Secondly, the game uses a minimal UI to immerse players as much as possible within its universe, and this element is enhanced by a clever wind system for navigation. Jin Sakai, the protagonist, has a horse constantly by his side, and while they cannot defy the laws of physics like Elden Ring‘s Torrent, the companion controls well. Finally, GoT has a fun reaction-based combat system designed around group fights. It is not similar to a Soulslike, but it works well and can get relatively difficult at higher levels.

16

Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Intense Medieval Simulator With Deep Combat System

Recommending Kingdom Come: Deliverance comes with a few caveats since it is a different beast than Elden Ring or most open-world experiences. Nevertheless, people who enjoy FromSoftware’s demanding gameplay, rich worlds, and progression might get a kick out of Warhorse’s ambitious RPG. Set during the 15th century, Kingdom Come follows the survivor of a village that was wiped out by an invading force. Craving revenge, players sign up to become soldiers, paving the way to a complex narrative that will determine the kingdom’s heir and future.

Featuring a fairly big open-world that strives to be historically accurate and realistic, Kingdom Come moves at a grueling and slow pace, and players need to put in the work to grow familiar with not only the setting but also the combat. Rather than focus on classes, players develop skills through their actions, which involves training and also engaging in battle scenarios. Consequently, the game offers an impressive range of customization options since players are generally in charge of the direction they take their characters. Compared to Elden Ring, Kingdom Come focuses far more on story, characters, and dialogue, all of which are generally engaging despite being a bit dry at times.

17

Kingdoms Of Amalur

At Release, The Open-World Game With The Best Melee Combat

Although not a massive hit in 2012, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning gained a substantial enough cult following to safeguard its legacy. Eventually, this led to a remaster called Re-Reckoning, which even received its own expansion. Similar to Elden Ring, Amalur is an open-world game that prioritizes combat above everything else. Both games also support a range of build types, allowing players to customize their load-outs.

Now, it should be said that Amalur‘s hack and slash combat is far less challenging than a Soulslike, and the mechanics have aged somewhat over the last decade. Nevertheless, the gameplay is fast-paced, flashy, and entertaining. Unlike Elden Ring‘s grim dark aesthetic, Amalur‘s world is refreshingly vibrant and colorful.

18

Another Crab’s Treasure

Soulslikes Should Add Platforming More Often

A delightful indie about a crab heading out on a journey to retrieve his stolen shell, Another Crab’s Treasure looks absurdly different from Elden Ring, to the point that they do not seem like they should belong to the same general genre. Yet, Aggro Crab’s game is very much a Soulslike, with a combat system built around reading enemy moves, dodges, blocks, and parrying. Players accumulate microplastics, aka Souls, and must retrieve them from their fallen bodies when they die. During this pretty long journey, Kril (the protagonist) will have to face off against quite a few bosses that pack a considerable punch, particularly during the second half of the campaign.

While rough around the edges at times, Another Crab’s Treasure is overall an impressive achievement that gets way more things right than wrong. In a refreshing change of pace, the game incorporates platforming sections, most of which are fantastic due to the precise movement controls. Admittedly, it is frustrating to have to repeat these routes following a defeat, but they are usually short enough that they are only minor inconveniences. Although not open-world like Elden Ring, Another Crab’s Treasure consists of fairly large areas that can be explored relatively freely, some of which even have optional bosses. The combat has a few twists that can be divisive, but it also has an intriguing shell-swapping mechanic that allows for quite a bit of variety.

19

Lords Of The Fallen

The Soulslike Genre Tries On Unreal Engine 5

Nowadays, 2014’s Lords of the Fallen is difficult to recommend as there are just so many better Soulslikes on the market. Deck13’s game was among the first to attempt to ape FromSoftware’s gameplay style, and while the title got a few things right like its gorgeous visuals, the combat and boss fights did not quite click. Still, if someone does not mind jank, they might find LOTF‘s dark fantasy aesthetic charming.

In 2023, Hexworks produced a sequel/reboot that sought to revive the Lords of the Fallen brand. Outside its title and general genre, the new release has very little in common with its predecessor, and it takes advantage of nearly a decade’s worth of improvements and fine-tuning in the Soulslike sphere. The result is a game that consistently flirts with greatness, although an argument could be made that the launch version fell short of reaching that grade. Still, LOTF is ambitious and genre-pushing, including the incorporation of a novel mechanic that allows players to swap between two planes of existence. While not an open-world like Elden Ring, LOTF‘s map is seamless, large, and stunning, the latter coming courtesy of Unreal Engine 5. The game also has plenty of loot and build options, so Elden Ring fans can look forward to trying out different weapons and classes.

20

Monster Hunter: World

Focus On Hunting Giant Monsters, With Some Exploration

One of the things that makes Elden Ring entertaining for some is its punishing boss difficulty. Players will find themselves fighting through hordes of enemies just to reach large arenas where they must carefully learn a boss’ attacks and skills to combat them effectively. Those that much prefer the actual boss fights, and not all the fluff in between, should check out Monster Hunter: World. This impressive (and expansive, thanks to DLC content) adventure is a constant battle against massive monsters, giving players a chance to use a variety of weapons and armor to combat their foes.

There is a steep difficulty curve for some weapons, as players will need to learn how to effectively dodge the many attacks thrown at them from a variety of monsters. This is one of the best “boss gauntlet” style games, with some battles taking a long time to complete.