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Since its release, Elden Ring has done more than just win awards; it has reshaped the player’s expectation of freedom. In 2026, the “Lands Between” remains a gold standard, but the industry has responded with a flurry of titles that capture that same sense of wonder, dread, and triumphant boss-slaying. Whether you crave the cryptic lore of Hidetaka Miyazaki, the punishing precision of parry-based combat, or a vast open world that doesn’t hold your hand, the options have never been better.
This list explores 20 titles that embody the spirit of the Elden Lord. We’ve included all-time classics, modern 2026 heavy-hitters like Nioh 3, and indie darlings that prove you don’t need a AAA budget to make a player throw their controller in a fit of “soul-crushing” joy.
The Divine Successors: Top 5 Must-Plays
1. Nioh 3
Released in early 2026, Nioh 3 is Team Ninja’s most ambitious project yet. It officially ditches the mission-select screen for a seamless, sprawling open-world Japan during the dawn of the Edo period. The game retains its signature “Stance” system and deep loot mechanics but adds “Spirit Traversal”—a mount system that rivals Torrent. The combat is faster and more technical than Elden Ring, focusing on “Ki Management” and flashy Yokai transformations. If you loved the build variety of Elden Ring but wanted a deeper, more aggressive combat system, Nioh 3 is the 2026 benchmark for the genre.
2. Black Myth: Wukong
A visual marvel that took the world by storm. Black Myth: Wukong is a “Boss Rush” masterpiece rooted in Chinese mythology. While it is more linear than Elden Ring, its boss encounters are arguably more cinematic. You play as the Destined One, using a staff and various magical transformations to overcome legendary foes. In 2026, the Zhong Kui expansion has added a new open-zone area and even more intricate staff stances. It captures that “Elden Ring feeling” of walking into a massive arena and realizing you are about to face a god.
Check this list of games like Black Myth: Wukong
3. Dark Souls III: The Fire Fades Edition
If Elden Ring was your first FromSoftware game, you must return to the roots. Dark Souls III is the mechanical blueprint for Elden Ring’s combat. While it lacks a jump button and a horse, the level design is tighter and the boss fights—like Slave Knight Gael and Sister Friede—are still considered some of the best in gaming history. In 2026, the “Legacy Patch” has boosted the game to a crisp 4K/120fps on modern consoles, making the journey to Lothric feel smoother than ever. It is the purest “Souls” experience you can find.
4. Lies of P: Overture
The 2026 expansion, Overture, has solidified Lies of P as the best “Non-FromSoftware” Soulslike on the market. Set in the Belle Époque city of Krat, it blends the parry-heavy combat of Sekiro with the gothic atmosphere of Bloodborne. Its “Weapon Assembly” system allows you to mix and match handles and blades to create unique movesets, offering a level of customization that rivals Elden Ring’s Ash of War system. It is a story of puppets, humanity, and lies, delivered with a level of polish that few other developers can match.
5. Phantom Blade Zero
A 2026 breakout hit that blends “Kung-Fu Punk” with Soulslike intensity. Phantom Blade Zero features the fastest combat on this list. While the developers describe it as an Action-RPG first, the “hardcore” DNA is undeniable. It features sprawling, interconnected maps and bosses that require frame-perfect parries. The aesthetic is “dark wuxia”—think rainy rooftops, flowing robes, and lightning-fast sword clashes. If you enjoyed the “Skill-Check” bosses like Malenia, the 66-day journey in Phantom Blade Zero will push your reflexes to their absolute breaking point.
The Open-World & Hardcore Library (Games 6-15)
6. The Duskbloods
A 2026 surprise from FromSoftware themselves, exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2. It’s a “Gothic-Horror” open world that feels like a spiritual successor to Bloodborne. The world-building is cryptic, and the combat is centered around “Shadow Magic.” Despite the hardware constraints, it features some of the most hauntingly beautiful vistas in 2026, proving that art direction beats raw power every time.
7. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
The ultimate “Skill Simulator.” There are no levels to grind and no different weapons to hide behind—just you and your blade. Sekiro features a “Posture” system that changed the genre forever. If your favorite part of Elden Ring was learning a boss’s rhythm until you could dance through their attacks, Sekiro is the most refined version of that feeling.
8. Dragon’s Dogma 2
While it has a more traditional “Western RPG” feel, the “Climbing” mechanic and the sheer scale of the monsters make it a great Elden Ring alternative. You can literally grab onto a Griffin’s wing as it flies away or climb a Cyclops to stab its eye. The “Pawn” system provides AI companions that actually learn from your playstyle and help you explore the massive, unforgiving world.
9. Mortal Shell 2
The 2026 sequel has expanded the “Shell” system significantly. Instead of just four shells, you can now “transmute” between them mid-combo. The game is famous for its “Hardening” mechanic, which replaces a traditional block with a tactical invulnerability state. It’s a shorter, more condensed Soulslike that prioritizes atmosphere and unique combat gimmicks over sheer open-world size.
10. Lords of the Fallen 2
After the 2023 reboot found its footing, the 2026 sequel has doubled down on the “Dual-World” mechanic. You navigate between the land of the living (Axiom) and the land of the dead (Umbral). The 2026 version features a much more stable multiplayer experience and bosses that utilize the environment across both dimensions. It is the closest “Visual Match” to Elden Ring’s dark fantasy aesthetic.
11. Remnant II
Commonly called “Dark Souls with Guns,” Remnant II features procedurally generated worlds and some of the most creative boss mechanics in the genre. Its “Archetype” system allows for deep multi-classing. In 2026, the Root’s End expansion has added a new “Beastmaster” class, allowing you to bring a custom wolf into battle, mirroring Elden Ring’s spirit summons.
12. Ghost of Tsushima: Yotei
The 2026 sequel to the samurai epic. While it isn’t a Soulslike in the traditional sense, its “Lethal” difficulty mode provides a high-stakes, parry-focused combat experience that fans of Elden Ring will find deeply satisfying. The world is breathtakingly beautiful and encourages the same “Organic Exploration” that made the Lands Between so special.
13. Code Vein II
The “Anime Soulslike” returns in 2026 with more “Blood Code” customization and a much-improved companion AI. The sequel features a more “Open-Zone” structure than the original’s corridors. If you enjoyed the “over-the-top” magical builds and the cooperative feel of Elden Ring, the Revenant’s journey in Code Vein II is a stylish, neon-soaked alternative.
14. Bloodborne (PS5 Remake)
Finally released in late 2025, Bluepoint’s remake of the PS4 classic is a must-play. It features 60fps, 4K textures, and “The Old Hunters” expansion integrated seamlessly. The “Regain” system encourages aggressive play, and the Lovecraftian twist in the second half of the game remains the best narrative “rug-pull” in the history of the genre.
15. Valor Mortis
A 2026 indie breakout that is essentially a First-Person Soulslike. Set in a haunted 19th-century Europe, you use cutlasses, flintlocks, and dark magic to survive. It’s a bold experiment that succeeds by making every swing of your sword feel weighty and dangerous. If you ever wondered what Elden Ring would feel like from a first-person perspective, this is your answer.
The Indie & Experimental Gems (16-20)
16. Hollow Knight: Silksong
The legendary 2D “Metroid-Soulslike.” By 2026, Silksong is finally in the hands of players. Its focus on “Needle and Thread” combat and massive boss encounters provides the same “Hard-but-Fair” challenge in a gorgeous, hand-drawn 2D world. The exploration is just as rewarding and mysterious as anything FromSoftware has produced.
17. Another Crab’s Treasure
“Soulslike for everyone.” You play as a hermit crab using trash as armor. Don’t let the cute graphics fool you; the bosses are punishing, and the “Shell-Swap” mechanic is genuinely strategic. It’s a brilliant entry point for the genre that still offers a “Hard Mode” for veterans of the Erdtree.
18. Salt and Sacrifice
A 2D Soulslike that leans heavily into “Monster Hunting” mechanics. You track powerful Mages across interconnected maps, harvesting their parts to craft better gear. It features full co-op and a brutal, unforgiving world that captures the “Dark Fantasy” misery perfectly.
19. Tunic
On the surface, it looks like Zelda, but under the hood, it’s a Soulslike with one of the best “Discovery” mechanics in gaming. You collect pages of a physical “Game Manual” to learn how the world works. It features “Stamina-based” combat and bosses that will make you scream at your screen in the best way possible.
20. Blasphemous II
A pixel-art nightmare steeped in religious iconography. The 2D combat is visceral, and the “Penitence” system offers a unique way to customize your difficulty and playstyle. In 2026, it remains the king of “Boss Design” in the 2D space, with some of the most grotesque and memorable encounters ever drawn.
| Game | Open World? | Combat Focus | Difficulty | Key Mechanic |
| Elden Ring | Yes | Hybrid | High | Spirit Summons/Jump |
| Nioh 3 | Yes (New) | Technical | Extreme | Stances/Yokai Shift |
| Lies of P | No | Parry/Gothic | High | Weapon Assembly |
| Wukong | Semi | Cinematic | Medium/High | Transformations |
| Phantom Blade 0 | Semi | Speed/Reflex | High | Dark Wuxia Combos |
| Remnant II | Semi-Procedural | Guns/Co-op | Medium/High | Archetypes |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is there a game as big as Elden Ring?
In 2026, Nioh 3 is the only Soulslike that rivals the sheer geographical scale of Elden Ring. However, for pure “Density” of secrets, Dark Souls III and Lies of P are superior in their linear design.
What is the easiest game for a beginner?
Another Crab’s Treasure and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor are the best entry points. They offer “Assist Modes” and difficulty sliders that allow you to learn the mechanics of “Stamina and Parrying” without being punished too severely.
Will Elden Ring get another DLC?
As of 2026, FromSoftware has moved on to The Duskbloods. While Shadow of the Erdtree was the only major expansion, the base game still receives “Colosseum” and “Balance” updates for the PvP community.
Final Thoughts
The legacy of Elden Ring is not just in its sales, but in the dozens of developers it inspired. Whether you want to master the blade in Nioh 3 or explore the terrifying 2D world of Blasphemous II, the “Soulslike” tag has become a mark of quality. There is always a new boss to defeat and a new flame to kindle.
