It is remarkable to think how FromSoftware’s groundbreaking title, Demon’s Souls, launched a whole subgenre of gaming upon its release in 2009. This seminal game laid the foundation for its successor, Dark Souls, which has had an unprecedented impact on the gaming landscape.
When exploring the best Souls-like games on PS Plus, one can expect challenging gameplay, fierce boss battles, and combat mechanics that demand strategic thinking. Titles like Lords of the Fallen are clear homages to Dark Souls, while others may hold their inspirations in a more understated manner. While there are not many Souls-inspired titles available in the PS Plus Extra and Premium library, numerous games that embody the essence of Dark Souls can be found on the platform.
Updated December 28, 2024 by Mark Sammut: The latest batch of PS Plus Extra and Premium offerings for December 2024 did not introduce any new Souls-like games. In fact, titles such as Grime and Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin have departed from the service, limiting choices for fans. In the wake of these shifts, Thymesia emerges as a notable recommendation, despite being a divisive entry in the genre.
While many anticipated incoming Souls-like games find their way to PS Plus Premium, a few notable titles remain exclusive to the Extra tier. The average gameplay time for these games can be tracked through HowLongToBeat.
1Bloodborne
FromSoftware’s Lovecraftian Souls-like Masterpiece
Among the available games on PS Plus Extra and Premium, Bloodborne stands out as the definitive Souls-like experience. This PS4 exclusive immerses players in the hauntingly atmospheric world of Yharnam, showcasing an unparalleled blend of music, level design, and gameplay mechanics. Even after Elden Ring, one could argue that Bloodborne epitomizes FromSoftware’s peak in game design excellence.
With a notably aggressive combat system, Bloodborne offers no respite to the player, challenging them at every turn. While it presents fewer weapons and armor options compared to its brethren, the items available serve their purpose effectively throughout most of the journey. Each weapon is versatile, with multiple forms, ensuring that while options may seem limited, quality is never sacrificed.
2Demon’s Souls (2020)
A Gorgeous PS5 Remake of the Original Souls Game
As the progenitor of the Souls-like genre, Demon’s Souls (2009) retains its relevance with its atmospheric depth, despite some aging mechanics. The 2020 remake revitalizes this classic, effectively modernizing it while preserving its foundational strengths. This iteration is arguably the best-looking title in the genre, thrusting players into the haunting world of Boletaria with five unique Archstones connecting various realms.
Compared to titles like Dark Souls, the challenges in Demon’s Souls predominantly arise from navigating treacherous environments rather than the combat encounters – which are relatively easier by the genre’s standards, with a few exceptions. The design of the game prioritizes dense, sprawling levels that provide both puzzles and intricately crafted challenges.
The original Demon’s Souls can also be streamed via PS Plus Premium, showcasing its legacy while being aware of its limitations dictated by the platform.
3Remnant 2
Third-Person Shooter Souls-like with Great Co-op
Remnant 2 diverges from conventional Souls-like designs, placing a strong emphasis on ranged combat rather than melee. The 2023 sequel improves upon its predecessor, creating an engaging co-op experience that is also rewarding for solo players. For those adventuring alone, opting for the Handler archetype is advisable.
The game comprises various visually distinct worlds, blending linear progression with optional exploration through procedurally generated dungeons. This unique design allows for dynamic gameplay, and the robust class system enhances the experience, offering modifications and diverse combat styles. Enemies and bosses present unexpected challenges, scaling up the excitement during play.
4Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition
The Ultimate 2D Metroidvania with Souls-like Combat
Standing tall among indie successes, Hollow Knight offers a captivating 2D Metroidvania experience within the expansive underground realm of Hallownest. As players navigate this beautiful yet perilous world, they encounter a plethora of foes while collecting lore that enriches the game’s narrative.
Much like traditional Souls games, Hollow Knight does not guide players explicitly, urging them to explore its vast landscapes while offering side quests and hidden lore throughout their journey. Its exceptional design and challenging gameplay make it not only one of the best PS Plus Souls-like games but also an essential title on the service.
5Dead Cells
Perfectly Adapting Souls-like Combat to a 2D Roguelike
Dead Cells is a dynamic 2D Metroidvania infused with rogue-lite elements, where players, as the Prisoner, aim to dismantle a malevolent king while exploring a perilous island. Death resets the character’s progress, compelling players to adapt and innovate with each run.
Characterized by procedurally generated levels, Dead Cells ensures variability in gameplay, maintaining excitement and engagement throughout with a fast-paced combat system. Every session brings a fresh challenge tailored to keep players on their toes.
6Nioh
Team Ninja’s Supernatural-Themed Romp Through Japanese History
Nioh brings a unique twist to the traditional Souls formula, incorporating multiple combat stances, an array of weapon types, and a richly immersive world steeped in Japanese history. Borrowing elements from both Dark Souls and its own rich lore, Nioh differentiates itself within the genre.
The fast-paced, brutal combat mechanics enhance the game’s appeal, while its segmented map design presents a mix of replayability and exploratory depth. Players fond of looting and customization will appreciate Nioh, especially with its generous loot distribution.
7The Surge 2
An Admirable Sci-Fi Take on the Souls-like Formula
The Surge 2, alongside its predecessor, offers a substantial experience totaling over 50 hours for dedicated Souls-like enthusiasts on PS Plus Premium and Extra. While the original game holds its merits, the sequel makes marked improvements across the board.
It dives deeper into a dystopian narrative, enriching the backstory through its environment. For those seeking a blend of traditional Souls-like elements wrapped in a science fiction narrative, The Surge 2 is an inviting option.
8Mortal Shell
Rough at Times, but Interesting Take on Builds
Mortal Shell wears its Dark Souls inspirations front and center, while also introducing innovative mechanics. The gameplay revolves around exploring a dark fantasy landscape fraught with formidable foes who respawn upon death. Although its level design leans towards a linear model, the challenge remains significant.
Combat introduces two standout features: the ability to switch between various “shells”representing different classes, as well as a unique hardening mechanic to block incoming attacks. Mastery of these elements is essential to overcoming the campaign’s formidable adversaries.
9Eldest Souls
Solid Isometric Alternative
Eldest Souls provides a distinct twist on the Souls-like experience, featuring an isometric perspective that tells a compelling story of humanity’s struggle against divine forces. The gameplay centers around intense boss battles, focusing on eliminating a series of god-like enemies.
While the game generally foregoes traditional exploration, it compensates with engaging combat that requires skill and strategy. Each boss encounter takes place in thoughtfully designed arenas, presenting challenges that enhance the game’s overall replayability through skill trees that allow players to customize their abilities.
10Kena: Bridge of Spirits
Fun Adventure with Challenging Combat
Kena: Bridge of Spirits has garnered attention for its breathtaking visuals and engaging gameplay, making it a tight competition with AAA titles. This indie gem transports players into a beautifully crafted fantasy realm where they, as Kena—the spirit guide—must combat corruption while liberating lost souls.
Despite its somewhat linear narrative, Kena offers a healthy mix of combat, puzzle-solving, and exploration, keeping players on their toes. While combat isn’t as intensive as traditional Souls-likes, the game does feature several challenging boss confrontations that require skill and strategy. Moreover, engaging in exploration and puzzles provides a welcome respite from combat in this enchanting world.
11Thymesia
Narrow Focus Results in a Well-Tuned Combat System
In the wake of Dark Souls‘ success, many indie developers have taken up the mantle of creating Souls-like experiences. Thymesia stands out by adopting some mechanics from Sekiro, emphasizing a combat system that prioritizes parrying and timing. The protagonist, Corvus, a plague doctor with a visually striking design, embarks on a quest within a kingdom beleaguered by disease and monstrous mutations.
Although the mission structure can feel repetitive as players navigate similar environments, Thymesia offers thrilling, fast-paced combat that tests reflexes and execution. While weapon diversity may be somewhat limited, players can enhance Corvus’ abilities through an engaging progression system.
12Clash: Artifacts of Chaos
An Unapologetically Bizarre Experience
Capturing the essence of absurdity, Clash: Artifacts of Chaos channels the offbeat charm of its predecessors, the Zeno Clash games, while delivering an experience that is uniquely its own. The game incorporates mechanics drawn from the fighting genre, offering a bizarre narrative intertwined with peculiar character designs and intriguing game mechanics.
The melee combat is fast-paced, implementing combo systems that foster intense gameplay. Despite its quirky presentation, the game’s creative use of a day-night cycle offers players different challenges that enhance the overall experience.
Other PS Plus Games Souls Fans Might Love
If you’re a fan of FromSoftware’s unique brand of gaming and have explored the above titles, you may wonder what else PS Plus has to offer. While not all games fit neatly into the Souls-like category, several titles evoke a similar sense of challenge, immersion, and lore.
13Dead Island 2
Though it may seem like a stretch, Dead Island 2 can entertain those looking for a lighter experience filled with satisfying combat. This 2023 sequel invites players into a zombie-infested version of Los Angeles, where they engage in relentless melee combat with various weapons and tools to eliminate the undead.
The enjoyment derived from Dead Island 2 largely hinges on how well players connect with the gameplay loop. Although the initial combat may appear simplistic, players will discover depth through crafting and customization options as they progress through an entertaining narrative, complete with engaging bosses and cooperative gameplay features.
14Monster Hunter Rise
Take Down Increasingly Bigger Bosses
Much like Demon’s Souls paved the way for the Souls-like genre, Capcom’s Monster Hunter Rise has established itself as a distinct action role-playing series. Although the gameplay approaches boss battles differently, the thrill of overcoming grandeurs remains shared across both genres.
In Monster Hunter Rise, players embark on hunts to track colossal monsters, engage in prolonged battles, and subsequently craft better gear from the spoils. Featuring a user-friendly entry point, the game progressively ramps up in challenge, urging players to fine-tune their loadouts and harness strategies for defeating increasingly formidable foes.
15God of War
Close & Intense Combat
In God of War‘s 2018 revival, Santa Monica Studio redefined the series, transforming the high-octane hack-and-slash experience into a compelling narrative-focused journey. Players follow Kratos and his son Atreus across a breathtaking world inspired by Norse mythology.
While it may not possess the complexity of traditional Souls games, the combat in God of War is visceral and engaging. The emotional and narrative weight is palpable, with a captivating storyline that complements the visceral gameplay. Post-campaign exploration allows players to unravel more quests and encounters, reminiscent of the Souls-like experience.
16Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Modern Evolution of Castlevania
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night stands as a homage to the classic Castlevania franchise while forging its path through innovative gameplay and design. Set within an expansive gothic fortress, it offers a wealth of environments, formidable bosses, and a rich array of customization options.
This game is particularly appealing for Souls-like fans due to its emphasis on character builds and diverse gameplay options. With an array of weapons and diverse powers acquired through demon abilities, players can craft unique combat styles that resonate with both new and veteran gamers.
17Ghost of Tsushima
Gorgeous Open-World & Enjoyable Combat (that is Very Different to Souls-like)
Serving as a fitting farewell to the PS4, Ghost of Tsushima immerses players in the tale of a samurai navigating through the tumult of the Mongol invasion in Japan. With an expansive, beautifully rendered open world, the game offers players the chance to explore rich landscapes and engage in intense combat scenarios.
While the challenge may not reach the heights of typical Souls-like titles, Ghost of Tsushima boasts an addictive combat system that rewards players for mastering various approaches. PS Plus Extra members can access both the original game and the Director’s Cut that includes additional content, further enriching the experience.
18Wild Hearts
Monster Hunter-Style Game with Cool Setting & Building Mechanic
Wild Hearts serves as an alternative to Capcom’s renowned Monster Hunter franchise, while retaining its core essence. Forged through a collaboration between EA and Omega Force, the game immerses players in a rich world inspired by Japanese mythology, where they venture to hunt corrupted beasts known as Kemono.
The gameplay revolves around undertaking missions to locate and combat these formidable foes. A standout feature in Wild Hearts is the Karakuri system, which allows players to erect structures during encounters, providing strategic advantages in battle. While the combat requires some refinement, the experience showcases exhilarating movement mechanics that keep players engaged.
19Shadow of the Colossus
Impressive Boss Fights (that Play Out Like Puzzles)
Shadow of the Colossus remains a masterpiece in game design, masterfully remade by Bluepoint Games in 2018. The remake offers an updated visual experience and refined controls while preserving the original’s essence—an emotionally charged narrative wrapped around monumental boss fights.
What sets Shadow of the Colossus apart is its unique battle mechanics, where each colossus presents a distinct puzzle that players must solve to bring it down. Its breathtaking landscapes and evocative storytelling continue to resonate with both newcomers and veterans in the gaming community. For those seeking a deeper experience, the original version of the game remains accessible through the PS3 Ico Collection on PS Plus Premium.