Best Souls-like Games of 2019

This year was an amazing one for Dark Souls fans, as the Souls-like genre had arguably its most successful year yet. From AAA surprises to indies to veterans of the genre, 2019 featured a lot of top tier titles, all as difficult and meticulous as ever. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the best Souls-like games of 2019.

The Surge 2

Picking up right after the events of the original, The Surge 2 breaks outside of the walls of the CREO facility, exploring the advanced metropolis right next door, Jericho City.

Like most locations in the apocalypse, Jericho City is filled to the brim with insane survivors, most of which are looking to mutilate you for parts. Thanks to your rig and a bevy of different weapons, that isn’t going to be the easiest of tasks for them.

Even though it is a little more action-focused than the previous game, The Surge 2 makes a lot of improvements on the original. The game features more fluid combat, improved equipment drops, and graffiti tags to help with navigation, just to name a few.

More than anything, The Surge 2’s epic boss battles make for some memorable, yet frustrating, sequences. Just be sure to pick up your scraps when you die.

Remnant: From the Ashes

Remnant: From the Ashes is pretty different from a lot of games on this list.

First and foremost, it can be played either solo or in multiplayer. That means that you and your friends can all combat difficult bosses together, sharing in the frustration of figuring out how to defeat them.

The other, more obvious difference is that Remnant: From the Ashes shows what Souls-like combat is like when melee combat isn’t the main focus. Instead, players can choose between guns and melee weapons, with plenty of variety and mods for each of them.

The game’s impressive atmosphere and innovation certainly made for one of the biggest surprises of 2019, coming out of nowhere late last summer.

If you haven’t played this one yet, try it out and see if its “Dark Souls With Guns” approach works for you.

Blasphemous

Blasphemous is one of those games that likely fell under the radar for a lot of players this year, including Souls-like fans.

Created by Spanish studio The Game Kitchen, this indie title switches things up regarding its combat and exploration. Not only is it 2D and pixelated, but it also features non-linear Metroidvania elements into progression.

Players use these mechanics when controlling the game’s main character, a mysterious man known only as The Penitent One, dodging, parrying, and attacking enemies in order to survive.

Since it is a little bit more of a Metroidvania and hack-and-slash, this is the perfect game for anyone looking to get familiar with Souls-like games without having to fully commit to a full-fledged game in the genre.

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

One of the most highly anticipated games of the year, EA (finally) didn’t disappoint with Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.

Developed by Respawn, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order combines three genres: Action, Metroidvania, and Souls-like.

Borrowing aspects from each, players traverse worlds – new and known – in the Star Wars universe, engaging in intense battles to survive. Combat centers around blocking, parrying, and stamina and health bars, requiring players to deplete them to gain victory.

The game also features plenty of big boss battles, ranging from other Force users to a giant toad monster.

While many may consider Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order to be Souls-lite, there is no denying that the combat is not only similar in presentation, but also in enjoyment.

Code Vein

Code Vein surprised a lot of people when it released in May, combining the best parts of a JRPG with that of a Souls-like title.

Set in a post-apocalyptic world, players must use their powers, know as Gifts, to stop hordes of monsters that are trying to take over the world.

Functioning must like Souls in Dark Souls, Gifts can be collected and traded, letting characters level up, buy new weapons, upgrade current weapons, and much more.

Code Vein can be played with a friend, with the use of summonings, solo, offering two distinct experiences that are sure to please those who love difficulty.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

FromSoftware once again struck gold with Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, proving they are the kings of the genre.

Taking place in a re-imagined version of the 16th century, the game puts players in the shoes of a nameless shinobi, seeking revenge on a clan samurai clan that attacked him and stole his lord.

Using stealth, exploration, and an emphasis on one on one encounters, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice makes just about every battle feel like a boss fight. Even the lowliest of samurai could spell doom if the parrying and postures are just a little bit off.

When the actual boss fights do come, timing, patience, and repetition are required to take down many of the behemoths that make up the game.

Even when not in combat, the game is breathtaking, as its world, setting, and overall ambiance are one of a kind.