TheSoulslike genreis known for its brutal difficulty and punishing combat. Sometimes, it’s even hard to tell what is going on in the world when there are so many effects flying around all at once. But not every game is quite as intense as Dark Souls.
There’s good news for players who love the style but want a smoother entry point. Some Soulslike games are more forgiving while still capturing that high-stakes gameplay loop. We break down the best Soulslike experiences that go a bit easier on you, without sacrificing everything that makes the genre great.
Mortal Shell turns the usual Soulslike formula into a more focused experience. There are fewer weapons and tighter areas, so it’s ideal for new players who don’t want to have to worry about learning large maps or extensive weapons lists. The world is compact but very atmospheric.
Its unique “shell” mechanic lets you swap between character builds mid-game, so you don’t have to worry if you chose the wrong one, and the Harden ability gives you a defensive edge even in the thick of battle. Mortal Shell is still very hard, but it isn’t as punishing as others.
Blasphemous combines the grim religious imagery of Dark Souls with the 2D action of Castlevania. Combat is slower and more methodical than typicalplatformers, but not as punishing as its inspiration. The checkpoint system is reasonable, and there’s ample opportunity to upgrade health, mana, and abilities.
The game’s pixel art is where it really shines, and there is plenty of lore to pull you in. Death penalties are more manageable than other titles, and enemies can be mastered with practice.
Tunic is a deceptive little gem. Behind its adorable fox protagonist and colorful world lies a dense, cryptic adventure inspired by The Legend Of Zelda and Dark Souls. It doesn’t hold your hand. In fact, you have to uncover the in-game manual page by page, which gradually reveals the mechanics.
Combat is a mix of dodging, stamina management, and healing flasks. However, the game does offer some accessibility features if you need to lower the difficulty. Exploration is nonlinear without becoming overwhelming.
With its isometric camera and clean art style, Death’s Door feels like a quirky version of Dark Souls. You play as a crow collecting souls for a bureaucratic afterlife, engaging in precise melee combat, and solving light puzzles. The game is challenging, but the save points are frequent, and even the boss patterns are learnable.
There’s no stamina bar, and death sends you back without huge penalties. The controls are very well done, and the minimalist design keeps things from becoming frustrating.
Remnant 2 fuses Soulslike elements withthird-person shootingand roguelike maps. You’ll wield firearms and modded weapons instead of the usual sword and shield. Tough bosses and stamina management are important, but the gunplay shakes things up a bit.
This game also supports online co-op, making it a suitable option for newer players who have someone to guide them through the game. Plus, the randomized world and flexible class system add some replayability to things.
Hollow Knight is a beautiful, bug-filled Metroidvania that borrows heavily from Soulslike design and mechanics. While its combat is tight and sometimes punishing, the generous bench save system and open-ended map make it more approachable than Dark Souls.
You can explore at your own pace and avoid harder areas until you’re ready. Death does carry a penalty, but it’s far easier to get over than in other titles. Boss fights are tough, as expected, but not impossible.
Salt and Sanctuary is a 2D Soulslike that brings the spirit of Dark Souls into a side-scrolling, hand-drawn world. You’ll still find stamina-based combat, dodge rolls, cryptic lore, and punishing enemies, but the simpler mechanics and platforming elements make it more accessible.
The death penalty isn’t nearly as punishing as in other games, and the combat is easier to get a handle on. Its size and scale are also more typical of an indie game, too, so it’s easy to avoid the usual overwhelm that comes with Soulslike games.
Lies of P reimagines the tale of Pinocchio as a grim, Gothic action-RPG in the Soulslike mold. Combat is sharp and deliberate, featuring weapon customization, perfect blocks, and distinct enemy patterns. However, compared to Dark Souls, everything is explained a bit better and more structured. So, you can master the basics faster.
You’ll still find brutal bosses, but generous respec options and an intuitive upgrade system make progression less punishing. The aesthetic is a blend of steampunk and fairytale horror, which makes this game a bit more unique than some other Souls games.
