FromSoftware games like Dark Souls and Bloodborne have established themselves as mainstays in the action RPG genre over the years with their challenging combat, intricate world designs, and cryptic storytelling. The wild success and cult following these games have amassed has encouraged many imitations and variations of the same formula FromSoftware debuted in the original Demon’s Souls, to varying degrees of divergence and innovation.
It can be tough to sort through the plethora of Souls-likes to find one that’s right for you, so here are seven games that mix up that formula.
7. Steelrising
Steelrising was developed by French developer Spiders, one of my favorite indie developers. They put out video games that are consistently fun and engaging, if not a little janky at times. That said, the level of polish in their production has come a long way since games like Mars: War Logs. I found Steelrising to be one of their greatest releases yet both graphically and mechanically.
Set in an alternate history version of Paris with a charming steampunk aesthetic, the player takes on the role of Aegis, a clockwork automat sent by the queen to put an end to the tireless automats unleashed upon the populace. King Louis XVI has seemingly gone mad, unleashing an army of automats against the Estates General for their criticism of him. Players will see firsthand the devastation they have wrought on Paris itself. The setting provides a unique and engaging backdrop for the game’s action-packed story, even if the city streets can start to feel a little repetitive.
Steelrising is a bit more accommodating than your standard Soulsborne game. There is a shop you can access at every vestibule, Steelrising’s version of bonfires, in which players can purchase weapons, armor, health consumables, and upgrade materials. That’s basically unheard of in the Soulsborne genre, where such items are typically scarce. That’s nice enough, but players can also enable assist mode in which they can manually tweak settings such as damage received, endurance regeneration, and the ability to save anima (souls) even after death. It’s a nice accessibility option for people who might typically shy away from games of this genre. For the achievement hunters out there, just know that this feature locks you out of difficulty-based achievements.
Another nice departure from the Soulsborne formula is Steelrising’s focus on storytelling. There are actual cutscenes where Aegis moves, speaks and interacts with living people. You can have conversations with various figures from history, such as Robespierre and La Fayette, choosing who you want to support based on the ideals you want Aegis to espouse. Steelrising also offers multiple endings, further emphasizing the player’s agency in shaping the story and adding a nice layer of replayability for players who want to see each ending. Overall, though, it’s just a nice break from the narrative emptiness of other Soulsborne games. It’s a bit refreshing to fight for a world that isn’t already doomed.
6. Nioh 2
Nioh 2 is an action role-playing game developed by Team Ninja and published by Koei Tecmo. It is set in feudal Japan during the late 1500s and is a prequel to the original Nioh. The player takes on the role of a customizable half-human, half-yokai who has the ability to transform into a powerful yokai form in battle. The story follows the player character as they navigate the political intrigues and battles of the Sengoku period, a time of constant warfare and chaos in Japan. As they travel through Japan, the player will encounter a variety of historical figures both human and yokai.
Nioh 2 features in-depth combat and customizability. There are various weapon types, fighting stances, and special moves at your disposal. Beyond that, each of the eleven weapon types has its own skill tree to progress through. Nioh 2 also features a more robust loot and gear system than other games in the genre. Players can obtain and equip various armor and accessories, each with unique properties. The armor itself comes in sets, conferring certain bonuses when enough of that set is worn. This encourages experimentation with different gear combinations and builds, allowing players to focus their strengths to overcome their foes.
5. Jedi: Fallen Order
Jedi: Fallen Order is an action-adventure game developed by Respawn Entertainment and set in the Star Wars universe. The game takes place after the events of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, and follows the story of Cal Kestis, a former Jedi Padawan who is in hiding from the Galactic Empire. The game’s story begins with Cal working as a scrapper on the planet Bracca, where he attempts to keep his Jedi abilities a secret lest he falls victim to the Inquisitors hunting his kind.
Jedi: Fallen Order has a greater emphasis on exploration and puzzle-solving than most FromSoftware games. Players must use their Force abilities to navigate through various environments, solve puzzles, and uncover hidden secrets. Expect to return to areas you’ve already explored once you’ve gotten some fancy new Force powers.
The combat system is built around a combination of melee combat and Force abilities, which the player can use to dispatch enemies however they like. You can use a variety of Force abilities, including push, pull, slow, and others, to manipulate the environment and defeat enemies. These abilities can be used in a modicum of ways, such as knocking enemies off ledges or pulling objects toward the player to create new paths.
As the player progresses through the game, they earn experience points that can be used to unlock new abilities and upgrades. The skill tree is divided into three categories: lightsaber combat, Force abilities, and survival. The lightsaber combat upgrades improve the player’s lightsaber skills, allowing them to perform new attacks and combos. The Force abilities upgrades improve the player’s ability to use the Force, making their powers more effective and versatile. The survival upgrades improve the player’s health and defense, making them more resilient in combat. All in all, Jedi: Fallen Order lets players live out the fantasy of being a powerful Jedi in an era of the universe that has been subject to speculation for years.
4. Salt and Sanctuary
Salt & Sanctuary is an action RPG developed by Ska Studios, with a dark and foreboding atmosphere reminiscent of the Dark Souls series. The game is set on an island plagued by monsters, undead, and other supernatural horrors. The player takes on the role of a sailor who becomes stranded on the island after their ship is attacked. Players must explore the island, battling the various monsters that inhabit it and uncovering its secrets.
Salt and Sanctuary is a 2D game, which immediately sets it apart from most FromSoftware games. The limited dimensions add a feeling of claustrophobia and allow for a different kind of exploration and traversal. However, the game still retains the sense of discovery and exploration that is a hallmark of FromSoftware games. Salt and Sanctuary has a unique art style and visual presentation. The game’s 2D graphics have a hand-drawn feel, with dark and moody environments that create a sense of foreboding and danger. The game features a soundtrack that is haunting and atmospheric, adding to the overall sense of immersion.
There is a greater focus on platforming and puzzle-solving elements than in your typical Soulsborne, and a greater focus on verticality thanks to the 2D nature of the game. The environments in Salt and Sanctuary feature intricate level design, with secret passages and hidden areas that can only be accessed by solving puzzles or using specific abilities. I found myself awed by how complex each area was even within the limited dimensions of the game.
There is a small element of base building in Salt and Sanctuary, where you invest in and upgrade the various empty sanctuaries spread throughout the game with the adornment of the faith you choose to follow. This includes various shops and a blacksmith to upgrade your gear, very convenient to have around as you collect more and more salt from fallen enemies.
Players will also have access to a vast skill tree focusing on different elements of magic, weapons, and armor. This is a more nuanced customization system than in your typical Soulsborne game, which will be a boon to some and a detriment to others. It is less open-ended than other games of the genre, where you have to invest in weapon skills before you can use those weapons effectively. It adds a feeling of proficiency once you’ve invested the points, but it may discourage some from trying out other weapons. While respeccing skills is possible, it can only be done with a very limited resource.
3. Remnant: From the Ashes
Remnant: From the Ashes is a third-person action RPG developed by Gunfire Games and published by Perfect World Entertainment. It blends sci-fi and fantasy together in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity is struggling to survive against a mysterious evil force known as the Root.
The player takes on the role of a survivor who is on a mission to restore humanity and defeat the Root. The game offers a unique experience each time it is played, as the game’s areas, enemies, and events are somewhat randomly generated. While key elements remain generally the same, the path, enemies, and loot between these elements will be randomized. This makes each playthrough dynamic for the player, where you might encounter an entirely different boss in the same area or find a shiny new weapon you’ve never seen before.
One of the biggest departures from the FromSoftware formula in Remnant: From the Ashes is the combat system. While Soulsborne games tend to emphasize melee combat and dodging mechanics, Remnant: From the Ashes is a shooter with a greater emphasis on ranged combat. The game features a variety of ranged weapons each with its unique properties and firing modes. Players must use cover and strategy to avoid enemy fire and take down their foes.
Remnant: From the Ashes also features a cooperative multiplayer mode, allowing players to team up with others to take on the game’s challenges together. This sets it apart from FromSoftware games, which tend to be mainly single-player experiences with rather limited multiplayer. The multiplayer here is seamless, allowing players to drop in or out using their own characters, while campaign progression is tied to the host player. That said, any loot found while in a multiplayer session transfers over when players return to their world. The multiplayer mode allows for more social play experiences and also adds an extra layer of challenge, as enemies become more difficult to defeat with more players.
2. Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight was developed and published by indie game studio Team Cherry. The player is thrust into the underground kingdom of Hallownest, a vast and intricate world populated by insects and other creatures. You take on the role of a small, silent knight who is on a quest to uncover the mysteries of the kingdom and restore it to its former glory.
Hollow Knight’s atmosphere and worldbuilding differ from FromSoftware games, with a whimsical and charming atmosphere that sets it apart. The game’s world is populated by a variety of insects and creatures, each with a unique personality and backstory that create a sense of wonder and discovery whenever you encounter them.
In contrast to the somewhat linear world design of many Soulsborne games, Hollow Knight’s game world is vast and complex. While Soulsborne games tend to have interconnected and linear world designs, with clear paths forward and limited opportunities to deviate from the intended progression, Hollow Knight encourages players to explore off the beaten path and make their own way through Hallownest. Expect to encounter intricate platforming sections that require you to combine abilities, drawing upon everything you’ve learned to progress. I found myself falling to my doom more times than I’d like to admit, but it is satisfying once you finally get it.
Hollow Knight also features a unique art style, with hand-drawn environments and characters that evoke a sense of both beauty and decay. The game’s haunting and atmospheric soundtrack further adds to the game’s immersive and melancholic atmosphere.
1. The Surge 2
The Surge 2 was developed by Deck13 Interactive and published by Focus Home Interactive. It is a sci-fi action role-playing game that takes place in a dystopian future where a mysterious nanite storm has caused chaos in the city of Jericho. The player takes on the role of a customizable protagonist who wakes up in a detention center with no memory of how they got there. As they escape the detention center, they find themselves in the middle of a city filled with dangerous robots, deranged humans, and other deadly creatures.
Combat is a bit more nuanced than in your typical Soulsborne. The Surge 2 allows players to target specific body parts on enemies that can be damaged or severed to obtain new weapons or armor to attach to the exoskeleton you pilot. It’s a brutal formula that adds a layer of strategy to combat. Do you target unarmored limbs for a quicker win? Or do you risk a prolonged battle for the chance at more loot?
Adjacent to the dismemberment system is The Surge 2’s leveling and progression system (which uses tech scrap instead of souls). Beyond simply leveling up, tech scrap can be used to craft and upgrade weapons, armor, and implants through blueprints the player has acquired from enemies. Wearing partial or complete armor sets conveys additional bonuses, encouraging players to experiment with and combine their gear. This system provides a more granular approach to character progression and allows players to tailor their playstyle to their preferences.
So, there were seven Soulsborne games that managed to shake things up. While the FromSoftware formula has certainly been successful, it’s always exciting to see developers taking risks and experimenting with new ideas. These games are proof that there are still plenty of unexplored territories in the genre, and I personally can’t wait to see what developers come up with next. Whether you’re a fan of the FromSoftware formula or looking for something a little different, these games are definitely worth checking out.
Did we miss your favorite Soulsborne? Let us know in the comments!
