Recently, fans of the Soulsborne series were taken aback by the news that FromSoftware's highly anticipated project, The Duskbloods—an online multiplayer game with a quasi-Victorian aesthetic reminiscent of Bloodborne 2—will be exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2, which carries a hefty price tag of $449.99. While this news might plunge many into despair, there's no need to succumb to the abyss. Since the groundbreaking release of the original Dark Souls in 2011, numerous developers have sought to capture or innovate upon FromSoftware's unique formula. While some have fallen short, others have risen to the challenge admirably.
You're likely familiar with major titles like Nioh, Lies of P, and Black Myth: Wukong. However, some of the most creative and effective soulslike games have come from small indie teams, who, despite limited resources, have managed to channel the same essence that Hidetaka Miyazaki's team has perfected over the years. Here’s a list of the top 10 indie soulslikes you can enjoy without needing a Switch 2.
Eldest Souls
Developer: Fallen Flag Studio | Publisher: United Label, CI Games | Release date: July 29, 2021 | Review: Read IGN's Eldest Souls review
The Soulsborne formula is multifaceted, encompassing exploration, skill-based combat, cryptic lore, environmental storytelling, and epic boss battles. Eldest Souls excels in the latter, presenting itself as a boss-rush gauntlet. As a lone warrior navigating a sprawling citadel reminiscent of Bloodborne, players confront creatively designed monsters. The game's 2D combat system is dynamic, offering more than just pressing buttons at the right time, though that's essentially what you're doing.
Blasphemous
Developer: The Game Kitchen | Publisher: Team17 | Release date: September 10, 2019 | Review: Read IGN's Blasphemous review
If you felt at home exploring the labyrinthine spires of Bloodborne's Healing Church, you'll find solace in Blasphemous. This 2D metroidvania casts you as a masked crusader uncovering eldritch horrors within a world inspired by Roman Catholicism. Unlike the Gothic influences of Bloodborne, Blasphemous draws from Renaissance Italy and Inquisition-era Spain, delivering stunning character and boss designs that rival FromSoftware's mastery of unsettling religious imagery.
Tunic
Developer: Tunic Team | Publisher: Finji | Release date: March 16, 2022 | Review: Read IGN's Tunic review
To craft an effective soulslike, one can draw inspiration from FromSoftware's own sources. Tunic does just that, taking cues from the original Zelda games to evoke curiosity and wonder. Don't be misled by its adorable fox protagonist; Tunic mirrors FromSoftware's interconnected and deliberately obscure level design. With no objective markers and indecipherable in-game dialogue, it leaves you to piece together the fate of its world, much like the Dark Souls series and Elden Ring.
Tails of Iron
Developer: Odd Bug Studio | Publisher: United Label | Release date: September 17, 2021
Tails of Iron and its sequel Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter might seem cutesy at first glance, but they delve into darker themes akin to Game of Thrones or The Witcher. Narrated by Doug Cockle, the voice of Geralt of Rivia, these games feature a charming picture book aesthetic alongside blood, gore, and tales of betrayal. While more akin to George RR Martin's style of storytelling, their environments capture the essence of Dark Souls and Elden Ring with their rich atmosphere and detailed settings.
Mortal Shell
Developer: Cold Symmetry | Publisher: Playstack | Release date: August 18, 2021 | Review: Read IGN's Mortal Shell review
Mortal Shell stands out with its striking visuals and unique mechanics. Instead of endless customization, players inhabit different "shells," each with preset builds, allowing for varied approaches to boss fights. Its enemy design, especially the final boss, rivals Bloodborne's Lovecraftian Great Ones, while its combat strikes a perfect balance between challenge and epic feel, a feat FromSoftware itself refined with Bloodborne.
Sinner: Sacrifice for Redemption
Developer: Dark Star | Publisher: Neon Doctrine | Release date: October 23, 2018 | Review: Read IGN's Sinner: Sacrifice for Redemption review
Sinner: Sacrifice for Redemption flips the traditional progression curve by requiring players to level down, making each fight progressively harder. This mechanic enhances replayability, as players must strategize which abilities to sacrifice before each boss battle, modeled after the Seven Deadly Sins. The order in which you face these bosses affects your strategy, demanding familiarity with their strengths and weaknesses.
Nine Sols
Developer: RedCandleGames | Publisher: RedCandleGames | Release date: May 29, 2024
Nine Sols takes specific inspiration from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, blending cyberpunk with East Asian mythology and spirituality. Its combat is defensive, focusing on dodging, blocking, and parrying, creating a rhythm of action and reaction rather than brute force or positioning.
Unsighted
Developer: Studio Pixel Punk | Publisher: Humble Games | Release date: September 30, 2021
Unsighted leverages the narrative and gameplay potential of character relationships in the Soulsborne genre. Set in a world of automatons with a limited power supply, NPCs can be permanently removed from the game, adding urgency and strategic planning to your progression.
Another Crab’s Treasure
Developer: Aggro Crab | Publisher: Aggro Crab | Release date: April 25, 2024 | Review: Read IGN's Another Crab’s Treasure review
Another Crab’s Treasure offers a unique twist with a SpongeBob-esque crustacean on a quest for its home, morphing into a deeper exploration of oceanic fate. The game's core mechanic revolves around customizing your defensive shell, which you craft from environmental pollution. Each shell's unique attack and durability force you to adapt different playstyles throughout your underwater journey.
Exanima
Developer: 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, is a physics-based survival game set in demon-infested dungeons. Despite its prolonged development, the early access version offers substantial entertainment. Its sensitive controls make every encounter suspenseful and engaging, reminiscent of your initial struggles in Lordran or Drangleic.
AnswerSee ResultsThese are our top 10 picks for the best indie soulslikes. However, the genre offers many more gems worth exploring, such as *Death's Door*, *Loot River*, *Featherfall*, and *Dark Devotion*. Did we miss your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments below. For more thrilling challenges, don't miss our list of the best non-indie soulslikes!
Latest Downloads
Downlaod
Top News
