5 Best Video Games Like Demon's Souls

Hack-and-slash games have seen a resurgence due to the video game soulsborne subgenre becoming increasingly popular over the past several years. Known for their immense difficulty, dedication towards grinding gameplay to improve, and sharp emphasis on timing for attack and defense, these games aren't for casual players. This subgenre is partially named for "Demon's Souls," which debuted for the PlayStation 3 in 2009. Developed by FromSoftware, the PS3 title set the stage for soulslike games, as they're also commonly known, to take the industry by storm.

In the wake of "Demon's Souls" and its 2020 PS5 remake, we're looking at similar games that'll test the abilities of even the most veteran soulslike players. Some of these were also developed by FromSoftware, while all put a strong focus on strategy and talent to overcome formidable enemies. And just like "Demon's Souls," many of the games we're highlighting are firmly set in the dark fantasy genre, powered by a foreboding atmosphere. Regardless, these are the video games like "Demon's Souls" you should play to put your skills to the test.

It may seem like an obvious inclusion, but we'd be remiss if we didn't mention the "Dark Souls" trilogy at all on this list. FromSoftware's spiritual successor to "Demon's Souls," the game changed its name to one not owned by Sony Interactive Entertainment, allowing them to release the subsequent series on additional platforms. The story of "Dark Souls" takes place in a medieval fantasy realm facing a calamitous Age of Dark, fueling a rise in monsters and the undead to overtake civilization. The player character ventures out to either prevent or ensure the Age of Dark in coming to pass.

While each of the "Dark Souls" games are relatively accessible as standalone experiences, we personally recommend starting with the original 2011 title. As the immediate follow-up from "Demon's Souls," this FromSoftware game is the most in line with its 2009 predecessor. That said, "Dark Souls" prides itself in being a more interconnected world, rather than the ethereal and segmented levels throughout "Demon's Souls." A clear evolution in the trajectory of FromSoftware's soulslike titles, "Dark Souls" remains a fan-favorite over a decade later.

For its 2015 game "Bloodborne," FromSoftware doubled down on the horror and dark fantasy for a truly atmospheric experience. Set in the Victorian-era European city of Yharnam, the game sees the city become overwhelmed by residents who have transformed into monsters by a magical blood. The player character is a Hunter tasked with purging Yharnam of this contagion, entering a dream-like vision of the city. This leads them to discover their true destiny and the nature of the Lovecraftian monsters behind this cataclysmic event.

"Bloodborne" is perfectly positioned for horror fans with its delightfully gloomy world and nightmarish monsters. In between the expected intense combat and formidable boss battles, there is a deeply complex lore rich with tragic details to unearth. Yharnam is a particularly immersive environment and unlike anything FromSoftware has done before or since, driving home how unique an experience the game is. There's a reason fans keep clamoring for a "Bloodborne" sequel, given that its 2015 predecessor is so rewardingly realized.

Really, our entire list could've comprised of FromSoftware games but, for the sake of variety, "Elden Ring" will be our last one. The 2022 game is the aesthetic heir apparent to the "Dark Souls" trilogy and, by extension, "Demon's Souls" itself. Also set in a medieval fantasy realm, the game's story sees a group of formidable warriors and demigods driven mad by the shards of the mythical Elden Ring. The player character, known as the Tarnished, sets out to vanquish these maddened figures and restore the Elden Ring to quell the spreading corruption.

"Elden Ring" is easier than most soulslike titles developed by FromSoftware, though not without its own challenges. Apart from its own sweeping mythos, featuring contributions from author George R.R. Martin, the game features an open-world environment rather than FromSoftware's typically linear experiences. This emphasis on exploration is elevated by some of the most sumptuous art and level design that the developers have ever rendered, inviting players to get lost in their world. A top-down triumph and a great gateway soulslike game, "Elden Ring" is well-deserving of its widespread praise.

One of the best soulslike games not developed by FromSoftware is "Lies of P," which was instead developed by Neowiz and Round8 Studio. The 2023 game acts as a dark fantasy reimagining of "The Adventures of Pinocchio," with the titular puppet residing in the fictional European city of Krat, which is populated by other automatons for its workers. Krat is struck by a contagion transforming humans into monsters while its automatons go berserk and begin attacking, though P is unaffected. P battles through monsters to learn what happened to the city, discovering that its grim fate is linked to his creator Giuseppe Geppetto.

With its haunting environments and greater emphasis on narrative, "Lies of P" carves out its own space in the soulslike genre. Even for savvy players, a few surprises lie in wait, especially as the story reaches its heartrending climax. The game's combat similarly offers a revamped system, with several different fighting styles and a variety of weapons, in addition to P's mechanical arm. A successful translation of the classic Pinocchio fairy tale into a darkly intense soulslike experience, "Lies of P" offers a thrilling ride.

Another classic tale to get reimagined into an action RPG experience is the Chinese epic "Journey to the West," which inspired the 2024 game "Black Myth: Wukong." The game follows a staff-wielding monkey, known as the Destined One, who sets out to recover the lost senses of the fabled Monkey King, Sun Wukong. The Destined One fights demigods and other formidable creatures holding relics connected to Sun Wukong's senses, growing more powerful through the spirits he obtains. As the Destined One learns what his destiny actually entails, he discovers his true connection to the imprisoned Monkey King.

When it debuted in August 2024, "Black Myth: Wukong" blew everyone away with its engaging combat and sweeping integration of "Journey to the West" within its narrative and design. On top of the tightly coordinated action, the game has some of the most sumptuous visuals of its generation, with environments and cutscenes that are jaw-dropping to look at. In contrast to other entries here, this isn't quite a soulslike game, but it does have incredibly difficult boss fights and a steep learning curve for players to master. An all-around success story, "Black Myth: Wukong" brings fast-paced intensity to one of China's most beloved legends.