Top 10 Indie Soulslike Games Revealed

Recently, fans of the Soulsborne genre were taken aback when FromSoftware announced that their highly anticipated project, The Duskbloods, would be exclusive to the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, priced at $449.99. This online multiplayer game, boasting a quasi-Victorian aesthetic reminiscent of Bloodborne, left many disappointed. However, fans need not despair, as the gaming world is rich with indie titles that capture the essence of FromSoftware's challenging and immersive gameplay.

Since Dark Souls catapulted FromSoftware into the spotlight in 2011, numerous developers have attempted to either replicate or innovate on the company's formula. While some have fallen short, others have truly excelled. You might already be familiar with mainstream titles like Nioh, Lies of P, and Black Myth: Wukong. Yet, it's the indie scene that has produced some of the most inventive soulslike games, crafted by smaller teams who, despite limited resources, have pushed creative boundaries to deliver experiences that resonate with fans of Hidetaka Miyazaki's masterpieces.

Below is a curated list of the top ten indie soulslike games you can enjoy right now, without needing a Switch 2.

Eldest SoulsDeveloper: Fallen Flag Studio | Publisher: United Label, CI Games | Release date: July 29, 2021 | Review: Read IGN's Eldest Souls review

Eldest Souls excels in its boss-rush format, a key element of the Soulsborne experience. Players navigate a sprawling, Bloodborne-inspired citadel, engaging in dynamic combat with creatively designed monsters. The game stands out for its engaging 2D combat system that transcends simple button timing, offering a deeply satisfying challenge.

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

Blasphemous captivates with its Bloodborne-esque citadel, drawing inspiration from the religious art and culture of Renaissance Italy and Inquisition-era Spain. As a masked crusader, you explore the haunting world of Cvstodia, uncovering eldritch horrors within a Roman Catholicism-inspired setting. The game's mesmerizing character and boss designs, continued in Blasphemous 2 and its Mea Culpa DLC, evoke the eerie beauty of FromSoftware's work.

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

Tunic channels the spirit of FromSoftware by drawing from the same inspirations, notably the original Zelda games. This 3D isometric action-adventure game features an interconnected, deliberately obtuse world where exploration is key. With no clear objectives and dialogue in an indecipherable script, Tunic echoes the mysterious allure of the Dark Souls trilogy and Elden Ring.

Tails of IronDeveloper: Odd Bug Studio | Publisher: United Label | Release date: September 17, 2021

Tails of Iron and its sequel, Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter, blend a charming picture book aesthetic with the dark themes of Game of Thrones and The Witcher. Narrated by Doug Cockle, the voice of Geralt of Rivia, these games feature carefully crafted environments that, while more narratively explicit than FromSoftware's, still capture the atmosphere of Dark Souls and Elden Ring.

Mortal ShellDeveloper: Cold Symmetry | Publisher: Playstack | Release date: August 18, 2021 | Review: Read IGN's Mortal Shell review

Mortal Shell stands out with its unique mechanic of inhabiting different "shells" with preset builds, allowing for varied approaches to combat. The game's enemy design and challenging yet epic combat rival FromSoftware's, with its final boss reminiscent of Bloodborne's Great Ones.

Sinner: Sacrifice for RedemptionDeveloper: 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 by forcing players to level down, making each fight progressively harder. This mechanic enhances replayability as players must strategize which abilities to sacrifice before each battle, tailoring their approach to the strengths and weaknesses of bosses inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins.

Nine SolsDeveloper: RedCandleGames | Publisher: RedCandleGames | Release date: May 29, 2024

Nine Sols draws heavily from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, focusing on defensive combat mechanics like dodging, blocking, and parrying. Set in a cyberpunk world infused with East Asian mythology, the game offers a rhythmic combat experience that rewards careful observation and reaction.

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

Unsighted elevates the narrative and gameplay mechanic of character relationships found in FromSoftware's games. In this metroidvania, NPCs have a limited power supply, adding urgency and requiring strategic progression planning in a world of automatons facing a dire fate.

Another Crab’s TreasureDeveloper: Aggro Crab | Publisher: Aggro Crab | Release date: April 25, 2024 | Review: Read IGN's Another Crab’s Treasure review

Another Crab’s Treasure brings a unique twist to the genre with its focus on defensive customization. Playing as a crustacean in a polluted ocean, you adapt different shells, each with unique attacks and limited durability, creating varied playstyles on your quest to control the ocean's fate.

ExanimaDeveloper: Bare Mettle Entertainment | Publisher: Bare Mettle Entertainment | Release date: April 29, 2015

Exanima, often likened to a blend of Dark Souls and Getting Over It, offers a physics-based survival experience in demon-infested dungeons. Despite its long development cycle, the early access version provides a thrilling challenge with its finicky controls, reminiscent of the initial struggles in Dark Souls.