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The Masterpiece of Open-World Soulslikes
FromSoftware’s Elden Ring revolutionized action RPGs by combining the unforgiving, stamina-based combat of the Dark Souls series with an expansive, secret-filled open world. For PC gamers craving dark fantasy worlds, precise dodge-and-strike combat, massive build variety, and epic boss fights, several outstanding titles scratch that same itch. Here are the 10 best alternatives to dive into next.
Top Action RPG Alternatives for Elden Ring Fans
1. Lies of P
Lies of P stands as one of the finest non-FromSoftware Soulslikes ever made. Reimagining the tale of Pinocchio into a dark, Belle Époque steampunk nightmare, players fight through puppet-plagued streets. Featuring a deep weapon-assembly system, mechanical arm Legion Plugs, and tight parry timing reminiscent of Sekiro, it delivers an incredible dark fantasy atmosphere and challenging boss mechanics.
2. Black Myth: Wukong
Inspired by the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, Black Myth: Wukong drops players into the boots of the Destined One. Wielding a staff with versatile combat stances, transformation spells, and vessel abilities, players fight through mythological beasts across stunning landscapes. Its high-octane boss density and dark mythological narrative make it a premier action RPG pick.
3. Lords of the Fallen
Lords of the Fallen offers an expansive dark fantasy world split across two parallel realms: Axiom (the living world) and Umbral (the realm of the dead). Using a mystical lantern, players navigate seamless realm-shifting puzzles, engage in visceral melee combat, and customize extensive magic and weapon builds. It captures Elden Ring’s bleak aesthetic and heavy dark fantasy tone.
4. Dark Souls III
The direct mechanical precursor to Elden Ring, Dark Souls III represents FromSoftware’s polished linear combat design. Set in a dying world of ash and dragons, it features some of the most memorable boss encounters in gaming history (such as Slave Knight Gael and the Nameless King). If you loved Elden Ring‘s weapon arts and stamina combat, Dark Souls III is essential playing.
5. Nioh 2
Nioh 2 combines brutal samurai combat with deep hack-and-slash loot mechanics set in Sengoku-era Japan. Players customize a half-human, half-Yokai warrior who can shift into demon form mid-battle. With three distinct weapon stances, Yokai soul-core abilities, and endless armor gear farming, it offers a deeper build-crafting system than almost any other action RPG.
6. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Also created by FromSoftware, Sekiro shifts away from RPG stat leveling to focus purely on high-speed sword duels. Playing as a shinobi with a prosthetic arm, combat revolves around posture deflection, grapple-hook movement, and fatal deathblows. It provides the most intense, rhythm-based sword combat available on PC.
7. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
For players who want Soulslike combat mechanics wrapped in an expansive sci-fi universe, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor excels. Controlling Cal Kestis, players explore large semi-open planets, unlock Force abilities, and master five unique lightsaber stances. It seamlessly blends bonfire-style meditation points and shortcut exploration with cinematic storytelling.
8. Remnant II
Known as “Dark Souls with guns,” Remnant II translates the high-stakes roll-and-punish combat formula into a third-person shooter. Featuring procedurally generated dark fantasy and sci-fi worlds, players form squads to fight eldritch gods, acquire archetype classes, and hunt secret weapons across dynamic campaigns.
9. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
Developed by Team Ninja, Wo Long takes place during a dark fantasy retelling of the Three Kingdoms period in China. The combat system centers on a dynamic “Spirit Gauge” that rewards aggressive deflects, elemental martial arts, and Divine Beast summons, resulting in an adrenaline-pumping tempo during boss duels.
1. Thymesia
Thymesia is a fast-paced action RPG set in a plague-ridden kingdom. Players control Corvus, a mysterious protagonist who steals diseases from enemies and turns them into deadly biological weapons. Featuring rapid deflection mechanics and aggressive claws that tear through enemy health bars, it scratches the high-speed combat itch of Elden Ring‘s faster boss duels.
2. Salt and Sanctuary
Often called the definitive “2D Dark Souls,” Salt and Sanctuary translates complex stamina management, dodge rolls, and massive boss encounters into a gloomy side-scrolling world. With a massive skill tree, hundreds of weapons, and interconnected sanctuary checkpoints, it delivers an authentic hardcore RPG experience in 2D.
3. Ashen
Ashen offers an open-world action RPG experience with a minimalist, cell-shaded art style. Players navigate a sunless world, establishing a home settlement while taking on massive mythical beasts. Its emphasis on stamina-based combat, cooperative play, and passive multiplayer exploration mirrors the summon-and-explore mechanics of Elden Ring.
4. Code Vein
Nicknamed “Anime Dark Souls,” Code Vein drops players into a post-apocalyptic world overrun by bloodthirsty Revenants. The game stands out with its flexible “Blood Code” class system, allowing players to instantly swap character stats, magic gifts, and passive buffs mid-game to counter specific boss encounters.
5. Mortal Shell
Mortal Shell introduces a unique spin on dark fantasy combat through its “hardening” mechanic, allowing players to turn their body to stone at any moment—even mid-attack—to absorb incoming blows. Players possess the fallen bodies (shells) of ancient warriors, each granting distinct playstyles, stamina pools, and weapon proficiencies.
6. The Surge 2
For players wanting a futuristic sci-fi setting, The Surge 2 takes place in a quarantined, tech-devastated city overrun by rogue exosuits and nano-monsters.Its limb-targeting execution system lets players target specific armor pieces on enemies to sever and craft those exact components for their own exo-rig.
7. Blasphemous 2
Blasphemous 2 combines brutal dark fantasy aesthetics with tight Metroidvania gameplay.Playing as The Penitent One, players explore a non-linear world filled with grotesque boss abominations, intricate platforming, and dark religious lore.Its punishing difficulty and atmospheric world design make it a favorite for Souls fans.
8. Demon’s Souls (PS5 / PC Emulation / Cloud)
The legendary predecessor that launched the entire genre, Demon’s Souls laid the groundwork for Elden Ring‘s world structure and boss mechanics. Navigating five distinct archstone worlds, players experience raw, atmospheric dark fantasy where level layout and environmental hazards are just as dangerous as the bosses themselves.
9. Outward: Definitive Edition
Outward is an open-world survival RPG that drops you into a vast fantasy world without any hand-holding or map markers. Unlike standard power-fantasy RPGs, you play as an ordinary adventurer who must manage backpack weight, body temperature, disease, and weapon durability while exploring dangerous dungeons.
10. Monster Hunter: World
While not a traditional Soulslike, Monster Hunter: World shares Elden Ring‘s heavy, deliberate weapon animations, iframe dodging, and deep boss pattern learning curve.Tracking giant elder dragons across massive habitats and harvesting their parts to forge high-tier gear delivers a familiar thrill for hardcore action fans.
Feature Comparison Table
| Game | Setting | Core Hook | Style |
| Thymesia | Gothic Plague | Plague Weapon Stealing | Fast 3D Action |
| Salt and Sanctuary | Drowned Island | 2D Interconnected Map | 2D Metroidvania |
| Code Vein | Anime Post-Apocalypse | Dynamic Class Swapping | 3D Action RPG |
| The Surge 2 | Sci-Fi / Cyberpunk | Limb-Targeting Combat | 3D Sci-Fi Souls |
| Blasphemous 2 | Dark Religious Fantasy | Visceral Execution Attacks | 2D Metroidvania |
Dark Souls III uses the exact same core game engine and combat mechanics, while Lies of P offers the closest modern third-party experience in terms of quality and boss design.
Are there any open-world Soulslikes like Elden Ring?
Lords of the Fallen and Dragon’s Dogma 2 offer vast, interconnected worlds with high player freedom and secret areas to discover.
Which game is best for co-op multiplayer?
Remnant II and Lords of the Fallen both feature full campaign co-op integration, making it easy to fight through bosses with friends.
