The best Souls-like games are typically difficult, prioritize boss encounters, and feature weighty combat that incorporates a degree of strategy. While some games such as Lords of the Fallen wear their Dark Souls influence on their sleeves, others like Death’s Door are a bit more subtle in their comparisons. Except for a few notable exceptions, PS Plus Extra and Premium do not have many Souls titles in their library; however, there are quite a few games like Dark Souls on PS Plus.
Demon’s Souls (2020)
Dark Souls and Elden Ring might have ingrained the Souls-like subgenre into the public consciousness, but 2009’s Demon’s Souls got the ball rolling. Bluepoint’s PS5 remake revitalizes this medium-changing game for a modern audience, greatly fine-tuning the visuals and combat while preserving the things that made the original version so memorable.
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A fresh coat of paint aside, 2020’s Demon’s Souls incorporates plenty of minor tweaks and quality of life adjustments that improve some shortcomings of the PS3 version. Except for one FromSoftware game, this remake is the best Souls-like game on PS Plus.
Ashen
Despite having a completely different aesthetic, Ashen screams “Souls-like” out of every fiber of its being. The combat system is nearly identical to FromSoftware’s Dark Souls, including a focus on melee weapons and enemy attack patterns. While more colorful than Lordran or Drangleic, Ashen’s world is also drenched in melancholy and sadness. That said, this universe is quite inviting for this style of game, and it encourages players to explore rather than dares them to see if they can survive.
Ashen’s progression system is built around its armor and weapons, which is a nice twist from the typical Souls formula. At first glance, Ashen might seem a bit too similar to its inspiration, but the game’s voice grows gradually clearer as the campaign progresses.
Blasphemous
Blasphemous is a 2D Metroidvania that undeniably uses FromSoftware’s property as inspiration. Set in Cvstodia, this indie game envisions a grim kingdom filled with decrepit NPCs, haunting architecture, and religious iconography. It is not quite as desolate of a world as the regions found in the Dark Souls franchise, but Cvstodia is certainly heading in that direction.
As the Penitent One, players must travel all across the kingdom to complete Three Humiliations, which naturally come with awesome boss fights. Once done, this opens the way to face Escribar, this land’s Holiness. Blasphemous’ hard-hitting combat is relatively straightforward, and it is elevated by fantastic animation that makes even the more basic of moves feel special. This game consists of almost nothing but combat, but it is at least satisfying.
Nioh
Team Ninja’s Nioh takes the Dark Souls formula and throws a few dozen or so mechanics on top of it. Featuring three stances, a plethora of weapon types, and an expansive world filled with secrets, Nioh’s similarities to FromSoftware’s franchise are immediately apparent, however, the game does set itself apart quite well.
The Japanese setting makes for a pleasant change of pace, especially since it is inspired by the Sengoku Period. The combat is quick and vicious, reflecting Team Ninja’s history with franchises like Ninja Gaiden. Nioh’s campaign is split into smaller maps rather than one large interconnected world, although each area does come with shortcuts and plenty of secrets. Also, Souls players who love collecting loot will find that Nioh does not hold back in dishing out goodies. In fact, it might give away too many drops.
The Surge 2
Both of The Surge games are available on PS Plus Premium and Extra, and together they should provide more than 50 hours of Souls-like gameplay. While the first entry has its strengths, the sequel improves nearly every aspect of its predecessor. The combat is smooth and satisfying, especially since players have the option to target specific limbs of enemies.
The Surge 2 shows off a lot more of this universe’s dystopian setting, fleshing out the world’s backstory through its environmental storytelling. The Surge 2 is for anyone who has always wanted a sci-fi take on the Dark Souls formula, and the game does it well.
Darksiders 3
After sampling The Legend of Zelda and God of War, Darksiders opted to take a page from the Dark Souls book for its entry about Fury. Darksiders 3 is a 3D Metroidvania that sees the horseman going up against the Seven Deadly Sins. With a solid selection of weapons, enhancements, and elemental forms, Fury is a lethal and versatile warrior.
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The combat isn’t all that similar to Dark Souls, outside of it being somewhat methodical, but the world’s layout, enemy placement, and progression system are similar. Darksiders 3 is a significant departure from the previous two entries in the series and, consequently, the most polarizing; however, it is a great Souls-like title.
Mortal Shell
Added to PS Plus Extra in December 2022, Mortal Shell wears its Souls-like influences on its sleeve, although the game does introduce a couple of fresh ideas. As tends to be the case with this sub-genre, the core gameplay loop revolves around exploring a dark fantasy world filled with enemies that pack a punch and respawn whenever the player dies. While a bit more linear than most FromSoftware’s projects, Mortal Shell’s level design is cut from the same cloth.
Even though the combat system is relatively typical for these sorts of games, Cold Symmetry shakes things up in two major ways. For one, Mortal Shell incorporates different shells that correspond with classes, and players can swap between them at specific locations. These shells serve as replacements for traditional loot. Another unique concept is that players can harden their shells to block incoming attacks, a mechanic they will need to master if they want to overcome the campaign’s reasonably challenging bosses.
God Of War
Santa Monica soft rebooted God of War for the franchise’s 2018 entry, turning the over-the-top hack and slash series into a more intimate over-the-shoulder action game. Utilizing Norse mythology, God of War sees Kratos and his son, Atreus, undergoing a journey to fulfill the dying wish of the former’s wife and the latter’s mother.
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Although not quite as complex as a Souls game, God of War’s combat is visceral and fluid, particularly once Kratos expands his arsenal and Atreus unlocks a few new moves. God of War pushes its emotional and gripping story to the forefront, but once the main campaign is complete, players can just roam the gorgeous map to complete leftover quests and take on some Valkyries.
Vampyr
Dontnod Entertainment’s Vampyr cuts players loose in 1918 London, a grim place made even worse by the introduction of vampires. As Doctor Jonathan Reid, players join the ranks of the nightwalkers, and they are free to decide whether they will drink human blood or not.
Vampyr’s combat is reminiscent of Dark Souls, although it isn’t quite as precise or fine-tuned as FromSoftware’s combat system. Incorporating melee and ranged weapons along with vampire-themed abilities, Vampyr’s gameplay has flashes of brilliance and is a respectable first attempt by the developer. However, the game setting is its true calling card since Dontnod did a fantastic job bringing to life the streets of London.
Dead Cells
Dead Cells is a 2D Metroidvania with rogue-lite elements in the sense that death sends players back to the start. As the Prisoner, players must traverse a dangerous island in order to kill its king, a process that entails defeating plenty of bosses along the way. During a run, the Prisoner picks up new weapons, items, and upgrades, all of which outside a select few are lost upon death.
Due to its procedurally-generated levels, Dead Cells constantly shake things up so no two playthroughs are exactly the same. This design not only extends the game’s replayability and lifespan but also ensures that players never feel too comfortable as they traverse this challenging world. The combat system is fast-paced and addictive.
Bloodborne
FromSoftware’s Bloodborne is the best Souls-like game on PS Plus Extra and Premium. A Gothic masterpiece set in the nightmare-inducing Yharnam, this PS4 exclusive is a masterclass in atmosphere, environmental design, music, and gameplay.
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Utilizing a far more aggressive battle system than the Souls games, Bloodborne provides not a single restful moment; when playing this game, every instance is spent on edge as a new terrifying beast lurks around every corner, waiting to brutally demolish the Hunter. It is glorious. Hopefully, Bloodborne 2 will one day become a reality.
Absolver
Absolver is all about martial arts, and the game has a number of fascinating ideas that are executed reasonably well. Set in a barren but quite beautiful world, players venture from one area to the next looking for other users or NPCs to duel. The latter largely consists of challenging boss fights, but the goal of these encounters is not to merely defeat the opponent. In Absolver, new skills are learned through experience; if the player dodges or blocks a specific attack enough times, they learn the move. Once an attack is acquired, players can add it to their combat deck, permitting them to create devastating combos that suit their preferred play style.
Absolver comes and goes a touch too quickly, and a too large percentage of the campaign is spent repeatedly fighting the same opponents in order to learn their arsenal of attacks. While this can get frustrating, the combat system is so strong that it justifies the repetition.
Monster Hunter: World
PlayStation 5 owners with a PS Plus subscription of any tier can download and play a few choice PS4 games, including titles that are not part of the subscription service’s library such as 2016’s Ratchet and Clank and Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy. One such offering is Capcom’s acclaimed Monster Hunter: World, the entry that brought the franchise back to Western home consoles after a long absence.
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In terms of gameplay, Monster Hunter: World plays quite differently from something like Dark Souls. Capcom’s property also predates FromSoftware’s license by quite a few years, so describing Monster Hunter as Souls-like is not accurate. That said, fans of one series should absolutely try the other since they both perfect the act of facing off against towering beasts. Monster Hunter: World also has an expansive selection of weapon and armor customization options.
Hollow Knight Voidheart Edition
Team Cherry’s Hollow Knight was one of the most popular indie games of the 2010s, and time has not dulled any of the project’s shine. This 2D Metroidvania is set in Hallownest, a deceptively massive underground kingdom that is filled with beauty and nightmares. Cast as the Knight, players must traverse this strange world, battling enemies and defeating bosses along the way.
Similar to Dark Souls, Hollow Knight does not hold the player’s hand in any significant way. Encouraging exploration and backtracking, the game fills its world with lore drops and NPCs that deliver side quests. Hollow Knight is not only one of the best PS Plus Souls-like games but also one of the greatest titles on the service.
Demon’s Souls (2009)
PS Plus Premium and Extra subscribers with a PS5 can jump into 2020’s Demon’s Souls remake, but PS4 owners are not ignored either. Part of PS Plus’s Classic catalog, FromSoftware’s Demon’s Souls set the groundwork for Dark Souls, and some might even argue that the 2009 game is better than its spiritual successor.
Although some aspects are antiquated, Demon’s Souls’ fantastic level design, incredible boss fights, and limited but still rewarding combat pick up the slack for some of the game’s obtuse mechanics or rough edges. The fact PS Plus Premium only allows subscribers to stream FromSoftware’s Demon’s Souls puts it firmly behind the remake, but it is still a landmark release.
Other Games On PS Plus Dark Souls Fans Might Love
Ultimately, there is only a limited number of games that fit the Souls-like descriptor. However, that does not mean PS Plus Premium and Extra subscribers who are fans of FromSoftware’s franchise have nothing to play once they have exhausted the above titles – they just have to expand their criteria. While the following PS Plus games are not cut from the same cloth as Dark Souls, they scratch a similar itch through their combat, lore delivery, or level design.
Victor Vran: Overkill Edition
Victor Vran takes the Diablo formula and pushes the action to the forefront. Delivering reflex-based gameplay and a plethora of weapons that adapt the eponymous protagonist’s method for demon hunting, Victor Vran is a (potentially) short and sweet action RPG with humor and style.
Although considerably easier than Dark Souls, Victor Vran’s smooth combat delivers the same sense of satisfaction as FromSoftware’s franchise. Multiplayer is even an option.
Hunted: The Demon’s Forge
One of Bethesda’s more forgotten published titles, Hunted: The Demon’s Forge is perfectly fine and well worth seeking out for those into dark fantasy campaigns. The game’s main appeal is its dual protagonists, one specializing in melee and the other in ranged attacks. Solo players can switch between these characters, but Hunted is arguably at its best when played with a friend.
Hunted: The Demon’s Forge has satisfying and meaty combat, along with a serviceable storyline that keeps things chugging along nicely. While it doesn’t come close to matching Dark Souls’ excellence, Hunted makes for a nice way to kill a weekend.
For Honor
Pitting iconic warrior archetypes from history, For Honor seeks to answer whether a samurai or a Viking would win in a duel. While packaged with a single-player campaign, For Honor is predominantly designed around its multiplayer scene. Players align themselves to a faction and then compete in exhilarating battles that focus on melee combat.
For Honor’s combat is not that similar to Dark Souls, but they both are skill-based and weighty. Duels are tactical in nature since fighters will need to carefully monitor their opponent’s subtle actions in order to counter their attacks. It takes a while to get used to, but this system is pretty great.
Toukiden 2
Both PS4 Toukiden games are available on PS Plus Premium, but there is not that much reason to play the original when the sequel is just a click away. Sharing similarities with Monster Hunter, Toukiden 2 is all about slaying massive demons. Like Capcom’s license and, to an extent, Dark Souls, Toukiden 2’s combat changes considerably depending on the player’s chosen weapon. With 11 types available, the gameplay comes with a considerable amount of depth courtesy of its diverse options of playstyles.
Toukiden 2 gives players access to a large open-world consisting of seven areas, and a big part of the experience involves exploring these unique zones in search of demons. The game offers a sense of discovery that is not far removed from the Souls franchise.
Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow
Except for Castlevania: Harmony of Despair, the Castlevania: Lords of Shadow games are the only representatives of Konami’s franchise on PS Plus Premium. The latter titles are rather polarizing among long-time fans since they largely push exploration to the side in favor of combat similar to God of War and, to a lesser extent, Devil May Cry. All three titles have their positives and negatives, but the original Lords of Shadow is overall the most satisfying experience.
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Set during the 11th century, Lords of Shadow brings to life an exceptional Gothic-esque Medieval world that feels massive despite the linear level design. The combat system is flashy and fairly deep, especially once Gabriel unlocks most of his combos.
Assassin’s Creed Origins
Assassin’s Creed Origins marked a turning point in Ubisoft’s franchise that has gradually seen the license incorporate more and more RPG elements. Origins also introduces a more action-oriented combat system reminiscent of Souls-likes, albeit not as weighty or challenging.
Set in Ancient Egypt, the game drops players into a massive and gorgeous open-world filled to the brim with content. That said, the main story can be completed in a reasonable time frame, so it is up to the player to decide whether they want to pursue all the secondary content.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake
For the remake of Final Fantasy 7, Square Enix opted to go in an entirely new direction. Besides the obvious visual upgrade, the remake’s biggest modification is its battle system. Rather than turn-based, FF7R utilizes real-time combat with the option to pause encounters to execute special moves or use items. The base game has four playable characters – Cloud, Barret, Aerith, and Tifa – all of whom are unique entities. The PS5’s Intergrade also has Yuffie’s DLC chapter, adding another fighter into the mix.
Although faster than most Souls-likes, FF7R’s combat should strike a chord with fans of those games. Narratively, the JRPG does a great job of establishing its universe and characters, setting things up for the upcoming sequel.
Ninja Gaiden Sigma
In terms of level design, gameplay, or story presentation, Ninja Gaiden Sigma and Dark Souls have practically nothing in common. Ninja Gaiden Sigma’s combat is fast, explosive, and predominantly melee-based. Ryu has access to an array of weapons, including some ranged options, but character customization doesn’t play much of a role. The shinobi also has a few magic abilities.
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Despite these differences, Souls fans are likely to love Ninja Gaiden Sigma due to its punishing but fair difficulty and epic boss fights. No enemy in the game is a pushover, and Ryu has to carefully monitor and react to his opponent’s movements to avoid a quick end. Ninja Gaiden is all about efficiently and swiftly eradicating enemies.
Way Of The Samurai 4
The Way of the Samurai games are an acquired taste, and the series has attained an almost cult-like status. The third and fourth entries are available on PS Plus Premium, and both are worth trying for people who wish they could temporarily lead the life of a samurai. These games feature combat systems that revolve around carefully reading the enemy’s movements and countering accordingly, permitting someone doesn’t just spam attack as a workaround.
Way of the Samurai 4 is quirky and doesn’t take itself seriously at all. While the story is quite short, there are multiple endings and the choices made by the player do add up to genuinely different experiences.
Kingdom Hearts Final Mix
On November 15, 2022, Kingdom Hearts made its PS Plus Extra debut, bringing with it seven full games, a prologue, and a couple of compilation movies. Anyone looking to jump into Square Enix’s franchise can look forward to well over 150 hours of gameplay, and that number is on the conservative side. All the main games are, at the bare minimum, decent, and many long-time fans would argue that Kingdom Hearts 2 and Birth by Sleep represent the franchise at its best. However, newcomers should undoubtedly start with the first game, and it is also the best pick for Souls-like fans.
Compared to its sequels, the original Kingdom Hearts is considerably more difficult since Sora is far less overpowered. Slower-paced and more punishing, the combat system focuses on reading and reacting to the enemy’s movements rather than overwhelming them through sheer force. The boss battles are also epic and challenging, and that goes triple for the secret bosses.
Narratively, Kingdom Hearts is a complete departure from something like Dark Souls. Although convoluted in places, Square Enix’s franchise is rather blunt with its themes, which are repeatedly reinforced during lengthy cutscenes. That’s not to say Kingdom Hearts’ storytelling approach is bad, just different.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim - Special Edition
Released in the same year as Dark Souls, Skyrim’s longevity even manages to eclipse FromSoftware’s title. Available on three console generations, the Western RPG was a massive critical and commercial success right out of the gate. Bethesda’s game went on to produce three expansions, which are included in the Special Edition available on PS Plus Extra. Offering detailed customization options and plenty of loot to discover, Skyrim gives players freedom in how they want to interact with its world.
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Like Dark Souls, Skyrim takes place in a dark fantasy universe, albeit one that is not quite as apocalyptic as FromSoftware’s projects. Although Bethesda’s masterpiece is far more story-driven than a traditional Souls-like, the RPG arguably shines the brightest when exploration is pushed to the forefront. Simply existing within Skyrim can be more exciting than fulfilling the role of the Dragonborn; that said, the latter produces some excellent moments as well.
Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition
Guerrilla Games’ Horizon Zero Dawn is one of the best PS4 exclusives, so that also makes it one of the best games on PS Plus Premium. Set in a post-apocalyptic landscape that blends nature with robotic monstrosities, HZD follows Aloy as she learns about this world’s history, her own creation, and the Nora culture.
Unlike the Souls games, Horizon Zero Dawn is open-world and generally provides players with the freedom to go where they please, although there are some restrictions in place. While the combat isn’t as impactful as the Dark Souls games, HZD delivers a fun mix of melee action alongside a wide range of arrows and traps. The gameplay does have an element of strategy to it, particularly whenever Aloy goes up against his world’s biggest and hardest enemies.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a hard-as-nails RPG set during the Middle Ages, and the game values realism. After witnessing the massacre of his village at the behest of an invading army, Henry sets out on a path of revenge and sacrifice, one that sees him travel across the vast kingdom of Bohemia.
Featuring first-person melee combat and a character-building system revolving around skill acquisition rather than class selection, Kingdom Come: Deliverance is its own beast in the RPG sphere. While sharing very little in common with Souls-likes, the game’s unforgiving gameplay could strike a chord with fans of the genre.
Shadow Of The Colossus (2018)
Bluepoint should just handle all the remakes. 2018’s Shadow of the Colossus wisely changes very little about Team Ico’s 2005 masterpiece since it is a tall order to improve upon near perfection. While preserving the original’s story, characters, tone, and structure, the remake provides a graphical upgrade along with improved controls.
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Shadow of the Colossus’ greatest flaw was that the PS2 struggled to run it properly, a criticism that cannot be made of the remake. That said, for those who prefer to stick to the original version, the PS3’s Ico Collection is part of PS Plus Premium’s Classic library.
Mount & Blade: Warband
Mount & Blade: Warband debuted before the original Dark Souls, and its staying power has proven to be nearly as strong as FromSoftware’s 2011 title. Although not the best way to experience this sandbox game, the console versions are still quite impressive, permitting someone goes in with the knowledge that they are playing a title that is more than a decade old by this point (the PS4 release is a port and not a remaster).
Freedom is a major part of Mount & Blade: Warband’s blueprint. Players are dropped into the massive Calradia region and told to earn their own success by traveling the world, engaging in cutthroat combat, earning renown, and accumulating power. Warband’s gameplay and flow are not that similar to Souls games, but it might scratch the same itch.
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