FromSoftware’s Dark Souls is loved for many reasons. Be it the game’s distinctive dark-fantasy world, ensemble cast of quirky characters, punishing difficulty, or impressive boss battles, there’s a lot to love.

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Many games have capitalized on the success of Dark Souls, giving way to an entire genre. These games usually feature the same ARPG gameplay, with an emphasis on dodge rolls, stamina management, and intense difficulty. They’re also known to feature elements of the Metroidvania genre with pseudo-open-world designs. However, there are a variety of games outside of this souls-like genre that Dark Souls fans are sure to appreciate. Immersive and mysterious atmospheres, interconnected worlds, dark fantasy settings, and challenging combat are all on the table.

7

TUNIC

A Zelda-Like Adventure With Souls-Like Elements

Released

March 16, 2022

ESRB

e

Though it features souls-like elements in the form of stamina management, a dodge roll, and impressive boss battles, TUNIC is quite obviously adjacent to games such as The Legend Of Zelda. As a result of its similarities, however, TUNIC is more than likely to appeal to Dark Souls fans.

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Although its charming, cutesy aesthetic is the polar opposite of Dark Souls’ Gothic fantasy world, TUNIC maintains the same enigmatic atmosphere. Similarly to Dark Souls, this is thanks to a lack of hand-holding, and TUNIC takes this a step further by mystifying its tutorial with a fictional language presented in a nostalgic game manual.

6

Lunacid

A First-Person Dungeon-Crawler With A Somber Tone

Systems

Released

March 15, 2022

ESRB

nr

This slow-paced first-person dungeon-crawler, influenced by games such as King’s Field and Shadow Tower, excels with its immersive atmosphere. The dense ambiance of Lunacid’s locations, supported by a dream-like soundtrack, is sure to appeal to certain Dark Souls fans.

However, the moment-to-moment gameplay isn’t quite as refined as Dark Souls, and it’s decidedly slower in pace. As a result, Lunacid is more likely to appeal to Dark Souls fans looking for more of that immersive exploration, rather than an action-packed gauntlet of enemies and boss battles.

5

Gloomwood

Methodical Gameplay With A Focus On Exploration

Systems

Released

September 6, 2022

ESRB

t

Gloomwood doesn’t play at all like Dark Souls; it’s a first-person immersive sim with a heavy focus on stealth and survival-horror mechanics. However, the interconnected nature of the game’s world and the heavy focus on exploration that comes along with it is more than likely to appeal to particular fans of Dark Souls.

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Like Dark Souls, Gloomwood rewards the curious, encouraging players to explore thoroughly by using challenge as motivation. In Gloomwood, this comes from mechanics rooted in the survival-horror genre; designated save rooms and heavily limited resources provide a natural ebb and flow of desperation and sharp relief.

4

Animal Well

Thoughtful Exploration In A Mysterious Underground World

Released

May 9, 2024

ESRB

E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence

Animal Well is a game unlike many others, dropping players into an exotic underground well with little to no information and continuing this sense of enigma throughout. This is supported by the game’s visual style, sound design, and interconnected world, which help to make exploration a truly immersive experience.

The sense of discovery that this design facilitates is, arguably, on par with games such as Dark Souls, from the opening of shortcuts to the abundance of secrets. As a result, Dark Souls fans who don’t mind forgoing combat may get some familiar chills from Animal Well.

3

Darkest Dungeon

A Challenging Dark Fantasy RPG

Released

January 19, 2016

ESRB

T For Teen due to Alcohol Reference, Blood and Gore, Mild Language, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes, Violence

Fans of Dark Souls looking for more brutally difficult games should look no further than Darkest Dungeon. Despite its focus on turn-based strategy over skillful action, Darkest Dungeon‘s downtrodden tone, grim-dark fantasy setting, and unforgiving gameplay are sure to please certain Dark Souls fans.

There’s little in the way of exploration, at least on a large scale, but players who enjoyed Dark Souls for its challenging gameplay will find plenty to love with Darkest Dungeon. Furthermore, the Gothic nature of Darkest Dungeon‘s world and the hopelessness of its characters is a stone’s throw from the iconic realm of Lordran.

2

Resident Evil

Locks, Keys, Challenge, & Methodical Exploration

Released

January 20, 2015

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Violence, Blood and Gore, Language

Resident Evil is a far cry from Dark Souls in many ways, that much will be immediately apparent to many. However, there are many qualities to the first Resident Evil title that are sure to give certain Dark Souls fans a kick. Resident Evil does not feature RPG systems or expressive combat; rather, its gameplay is relatively clunky. Despite this, Resident Evil’s lock-and-key structure and the dynamic nature of its environments will likely scratch a very specific itch for fans of Dark Souls.

Certainly, Resident Evil is also different in theme, but both games feature a cast of horrifying enemies. There’s also something to be said about Resident Evil’s safe rooms and the feelings that they evoke, especially later on in the game; fans looking for more of the overwhelming reprieve that comes with finally reaching a bonfire in Dark Souls will surely appreciate the rare but vital safe rooms in Resident Evil.

1

Hollow Knight

An Interconnected World With A Melancholic Atmosphere

Released

February 24, 2017

ESRB

E10+ for Everyone 10+: Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood

Though Hollow Knight shares many similarities with Dark Souls, it’s a Metroidvania above all else. Most notably, Hollow Knight features very little in the way of RPG elements. However, despite its differences, Dark Souls fans are still sure to enjoy exploring the deep and atmospheric world of Hallownest.

The game’s atmosphere and the interconnected nature of its world are key qualities here, with subtle world-building and cryptic, environmental storytelling sprinkled throughout. The game’s abundance of boss fights, scattered save points, and quirky NPCs are also familiar, offering a memorable journey that constantly offers players a sense of discovery.

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