Top 10 Indie Soulslike Games

Recently, fans of the Soulsborne series were taken aback by the announcement that FromSoftware's upcoming project, The Duskbloods—an online multiplayer game with a quasi-Victorian aesthetic that evokes the spirit of Bloodborne 2—will be exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2, priced at $449.99. While the disappointment among the community of undead, hunters, and tarnished is palpable, there's no need to despair. Since the groundbreaking release of the original Dark Souls in 2011, numerous developers have endeavored to either replicate or innovate upon FromSoftware's enigmatic formula. While many have fallen short, a select few have risen to the challenge admirably.

You might already be acquainted with prominent titles such as Nioh, Lies of P, and Black Myth: Wukong. Yet, it's the ingenuity of smaller indie teams, often constrained by budget and manpower, that has led to some of the most compelling and inventive soulslike experiences. These developers, forced to think outside the box, have managed to capture the essence of what makes Hidetaka Miyazaki's creations so enduringly captivating.

Here, without further ado and in no particular order, are the ten best indie soulslikes you can dive into today, 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 zeroes in on the latter, offering a boss-rush experience. Set within a sprawling, Bloodborne-esque citadel, players assume the role of a lone warrior battling uniquely designed monsters. What sets Eldest Souls apart in the 2D realm is its dynamic combat system, which transcends mere button timing to deliver engaging, strategic fights.

Blasphemous

Developer: The Game Kitchen | Publisher: Team17 | Release date: September 10, 2019 | Review: Read IGN's Blasphemous review

Fans of Bloodborne's hauntingly intricate settings will find much to love in Blasphemous, a 2D metroidvania that plunges players into the eerie world of Cvstodia. Here, a masked crusader unearths eldritch horrors behind a Roman Catholicism-inspired order. The game's setting evokes the religious art and culture of Renaissance Italy and Inquisition-era Spain, with character and boss designs that rival FromSoftware's in their ability to evoke the unsettling aspects of ancient Christian iconography. These elements carried over into Blasphemous 2 and its Mea Culpa DLC in 2023.

Tunic

Developer: Tunic Team | Publisher: Finji | Release date: March 16, 2022 | Review: Read IGN's Tunic review

To craft an effective soulslike, drawing inspiration from FromSoftware's own sources can be key. Tunic does just that, taking cues from the original Zelda games to create a 3D isometric action-adventure filled with curiosity and wonder. Despite its adorable anthropomorphic fox protagonist, Tunic mirrors FromSoftware's games with its interconnected, deliberately obtuse level design. There are no clear objective markers, and all dialogue is in an indecipherable script, leaving players to unravel the mysteries of a world that's clearly suffered a catastrophic event.

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, may seem cutesy at first glance, but these action RPGs are steeped in darker themes reminiscent of Game of Thrones or The Witcher. Narrated by Doug Cockle, the voice of Geralt of Rivia, these games blend a charming picture book aesthetic with tales of blood, gore, and betrayal. While they lean more toward George RR Martin's style of storytelling, their environments are as meticulously crafted and atmospheric as those 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 as one of the most visually striking soulslikes in recent memory. Instead of the near-infinite customization options typical of FromSoftware's games, Mortal Shell introduces a unique mechanic allowing players to inhabit different character bodies (shells) with preset builds, offering varied playstyles for tackling bosses. The game's combat is both challenging and epic, striking a balance that FromSoftware itself arguably refined with Bloodborne's fast-paced battles.

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 introduces a compelling twist on the soulslike formula by requiring players to level down rather than up, making each subsequent fight more challenging. This mechanic enhances replayability, as players must strategically choose which abilities to sacrifice before each boss battle. With bosses modeled after the Seven Deadly Sins, the order in which you face them can be tailored to exploit their strengths and weaknesses.

Nine Sols

Developer: RedCandleGames | Publisher: RedCandleGames | Release date: May 29, 2024

Nine Sols distinguishes itself by drawing heavily from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, blending cyberpunk with East Asian mythology and spirituality. Combat in Nine Sols is defensively oriented, focusing on dodging, blocking, and parrying, resulting in encounters that demand careful observation and timing, akin to a rhythmic dance of action and reaction.

Unsighted

Developer: Studio Pixel Punk | Publisher: Humble Games | Release date: September 30, 2021

One often overlooked aspect of the Soulsborne formula is the relationship with the game world's characters. Unsighted, a metroidvania set in a world of automatons, integrates this into its narrative and gameplay. NPCs have a limited power supply, disappearing once it's depleted, which adds urgency and strategic planning to the player's journey.

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 offers a unique twist on the soulslike genre. Playing as a SpongeBob-esque crustacean, you embark on a quest to reclaim your home (shell) and control the fate of the ocean. The game's core mechanic revolves around customizing your defensive shell, which you can equip with various pieces of human garbage found on the ocean floor. Each shell offers unique attacks and limited durability, requiring players to adapt their strategies throughout the game.

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 where players navigate demon-infested dungeons. Despite being in development for over a decade, its early access version offers substantial entertainment. The game's finicky controls make each encounter suspenseful and riveting, reminiscent of the initial challenges faced in Lordran or Drangleic.

What is the best indie soulslike? ----------------------------------

Eldest SoulsBlasphemousTunicTails of IronMortal ShellSinner: Sacrifice for RedemptionNine SolsUnsightedAnother Crab's TreasureExanimaOther (let us know in the comments)

AnswerSee ResultsThese are our 10 selections for the best indie soulslikes. However, the genre boasts many more gems, such as *Death's Door*, *Loot River*, *Featherfall*, and *Dark Devotion*. Did we miss your favorite? Share your top picks in the comments below. For more challenging adventures, don't miss our list of the best non-indie soulslikes!