When it comes to Souls-like games (aka Soulsborne) the developers FromSoft are at the top of their game. They essentially defined the sub-genre of action-adventure and action-RPG with Dark Souls and Bloodborne.
When Koei Tecmo’s Team Ninja title Nioh arrived in 2017 it proved other developers can take the idea and make it their own. As much as Team Ninja borrowed from the Dark Souls series, they added enough of their own ingredients to make it stand out from the crowd of emerging Souls-likes.
Nioh 2 is set to release on the 13th of March 2019 on the PlayStation 4, adding character creation, the ability to summon two players to help in battles, and an even larger skill tree. With Nioh 2 still quite a few weeks away let’s take a look at 10 similar games to play until then.
10 Onimusha: Warlords
Originally released for the PlayStation 2 in 2001, Capcom’s Onimusha Warlords is a Samurai action-adventure game in the vein of the Resident Evil series. It remastered and released again in 2019 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and the PC.
Just like Nioh, Onimusha puts the player in the shoes of a real-life historical figure from the Sengoku period fighting against demonic and supernatural forces. Obviously Onimusha is nowhere near as fast or as difficult, but its setting and gameplay are just as robust and satisfying today as they were 18 years ago.
9 God Of War
Released exclusively for the PS4 in 2018, God of War is the fourth entry in the series. From a gameplay and setting perspective, it functions as both a soft reboot and a sequel. Unlike its predecessors, this entry has a far more thoughtful and deliberate combat system that’s more in line with a Souls-like title.
It’s far slower and weightier than Nioh but the fighting is just as satisfying. The fights can be epic and there’s a certain amount of visceral satisfaction when Kratos’ ax connects with his enemies. Combining well-timed parries with a succession of strikes to execute the finishing move will leave a lasting impression on most players.
8 Code Vein
Released in 2019 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and the PC, Code Vein is a post-apocalyptic action RPG that implements the Souls-like formula. However, just like Nioh, it does enough things differently to stand on its own merits.
Code Vein features one of the most robust character creators seen this generation. In addition, players have access to an incredibly deep job system that’s typical of JRPGs like Final Fantasy V. The player character is also accompanied by an AI-controlled partner of their choosing. While this makes the game less challenging it could work as a good warm-up for what will no doubt be another incredibly tough game in Nioh 2.
7 Lords Of The Fallen
Released in 2014 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the PC, Lords of the Fallen was developed by Deck13 Interactive. It was one of the earlier attempts to recreate the Souls-like formula. It isn’t as vast as the Dark Souls games or as tough as Nioh but it does warrant a look for fans of the genre.
Just because it isn’t quite as hard as Nioh, don’t expect an easy ride. The boss fights can be absolutely punishing and will take several attempts to learn their patterns. The art-style is also excellent and very reminiscent of the Darksiders and the World of Warcraft games.
6 The Surge Series
The Surge and The Surge 2 were released in 2017 and 2019 respectively. Developed by the same team that created Lords of the Fallen, The Surge is a sci-fi action RPG that uses the Souls formula. This time, however, Deck13 shook up the formula by adding tactical dismemberment and enough jump scares to satisfy survival horror fans.
The Surge 2 improved its gameplay mechanics further by adding larger and denser environments. The combat system is even better with the addition of the new directional blocking system. Now, timing a block in the direction of an enemy attack will result in an incredibly satisfying parry. It’s one of the best fighting systems in the genre and will appeal to Nioh fans if they give it a chance.
5 Dark Souls III
Released in 2017 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the PC, Dark Souls III is arguably the most polished in the series. True fans of the genre should certainly play all of the games in the series from Demon’s Souls to Dark Souls.
However, the combat is much faster and more fluid in Dark Souls III than its predecessors. Furthermore, the game is a masterclass in interconnected level design that offers more open and detailed environments than ever before.
4 Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was released for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, the PC in 2019. It’s an action-adventure game that borrowed from the Souls-like formula. Just like in Nioh, players are limited to one fighting style but there are lots of skills to unlock
Additionally, players need to keep an eye on their stamina in combat scenarios in order to land the finishing blow. Fallen Order isn’t as difficult as the games that inspired it but there’s enough challenges to satisfy even the most hardened gamers on the Jedi Master setting.
3 Bloodborne
Released exclusively on the PlayStation in 2015, Bloodborne is an action-RPG developed by Dark Souls studio FromSoftware. Similarly to the Souls games, Bloodborne is a difficult game that takes time and patience. It’s also one of the best games in any generation.
Bloodborne stands apart from the Souls series by making the player fight aggressively with precision, timing, and speed. The interconnected world is incredibly designed and exploring it feels seamless. Furthermore, the Lovecraftian and gothic environments are extraordinarily detailed and tell a story all of their own.
2 Ninja Gaiden Sigma
Released in 2006 for the PlayStation 3, Ninja Gaiden Sigma is from the same developers that created Nioh, Koei Tecmo’s Team Ninja. Ninja Gaiden’s fast-paced combat is an early inspiration for Nioh albeit with more focus on attack combos.
Naturally, fans that favored Nioh’s focus on difficulty, speed, and timing over the more cumbersome mechanics of the Dark Souls series will feel at home with Ninja Gaiden. In addition, Gaiden’s heritage and influence continue to live on in Nioh’s boss battles.
1 Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Developed by FromSoft and released in 2019, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice was released on the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and the PC. It retains much of the Dark Souls formula that’s made From’s games so successful but Sekiro is a much faster precision-based experience than its predecessors.
Like the first Nioh, Sekiro is based in a supernatural representation of Japan’s Sengoku period but it places the player in the shoes of a Ninja instead of a Samurai. Fans of Nioh will also appreciate Sekiro’s speed and swordplay mechanics. It’s a game that’s focused on creating openings by deflecting the enemy’s attacks. Even though Nioh is a more offensive game than Sekiro, the technically sound combat is a joy to use and will please fans of the genre.