FromSoftware is a Japanese video game developer that was pretty unknown for the longest time, until 2011, that is. The release of Dark Souls led to critical acclaim, with the game being praised for its deep & solid combat mechanics, amazing lore, and a steep difficulty curve that forced players to get good or quit. FromSoftware continued to build on this formula with subsequent releases, including Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and the Dark Souls sequels. These games have not only established a devoted fanbase but have also given birth to a new genre of games known as Soulslikes.
There are many Soulslikes that are heavily inspired by the gameplay mechanics and design philosophy of FromSoftware's games. Many developers have tried to capture this lightning in a bottle, and one of the ways they've tried doing that is by packing their games full of meaningful content. As players learn from their mistakes, uncover secrets, overcome challenges, and conquer tough bosses, they can find themselves investing dozens of hours into a single playthrough.
FromSoftware's games will not be included.
7 Code Vein (34 Hours)
Code Vein is an anime Soulslike game that certainly turned some heads when it was announced. The anime art style was the first thing players noticed, with the combat looking pretty promising. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where players take on the role of a vampire-like creature known as a Revenant, fighting cannibalistic entities called The Lost.
Despite showing a ton of promise, the combat and level design of Code Vein left a lot to be desired. That being said, the story and presentation of the game were interesting, and it lasted decently long for players who were interested in what the game had to offer.
6 Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty (34 Hours)
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is the most recent release on this list, taking place during the fall of the Han dynasty with an alternate take on this period of history that features a heavy sprinkling of mythology. The combat is a blast, with players having to balance a Spirit Gauge to deal damage and dish out powerful attacks.
The level design can be pretty lacking, which is one of the biggest gripes players have with the game. However, fans who manage to look past this major issue will find Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty to be a decent and interesting game.
5 Hollow Knight (41 Hours)
The rise of indie gaming has allowed many dormant genres to reign supreme once again. One such game is Hollow Knight — a combination of the metroidvania genre with Soulslike elements that has become one of the most popular indie gems of all time. The game features challenging combat, intricate level design, and a stunning hand-drawn art style.
Players take on the role of a knight in a world populated by sentient insects in an underground world called Hallownest, which is being ravaged by the infection. As players go through the diverse locations of the game, they'll encounter several hostile insectoids who can decimate the player if they're not careful enough, with the boss encounters being a notable and entertaining part of this experience.
4 Outward (49.5 Hours)
Outward is a great and unique open-world game that has one of the most brutal beginnings in any RPG. The game features heavy survival elements, with the Soulslike components being pretty light yet quite noticeable in their own right.
It can take a few hours for players to come to grips with the way Outward works, but this investment is quite worthwhile. There are many systems to play around with in this fantasy RPG, and players will reach a playthrough of almost 50 hours as they power through the title. It may not be the most imaginative game around, but Outward has several good things going for it and was clearly made with a ton of heart.
3 Nioh: Complete Edition (73 Hours)
Nioh was Team Ninja's first stab at making a Soulslike game. The developer was known for their own brand of tough games, with the Ninja Gaiden series being quite riveting if somewhat frustrating in their own right. If there was one company that could nail a Soulslike, then it was Team Ninja. For the most part, Nioh was a great game, although it had some missteps that became more prominent as the game dragged on.
The game is set in the early years of feudal Japan with several fictional changes to the mix that were drawn from Japanese mythology. The game's level-based approach was fine enough, although fans of the Soulsborne games may miss the interconnected levels that made FromSoftware's games such a massive success.
2 Nioh 2: Complete Edition (84 Hours)
Nioh 2 is pretty much the definition of a perfect sequel, building up on the best parts of the first game while adding several elements and tweaking other aspects to make for a much better and smoother experience. The end result is a game that many people consider to be one of the best Soulslikes ever made.
The randomized loot feels more meaningful than ever before, with the unique twist to stamina management feeling engaging as ever. Nioh 2 is littered with numerous challenging encounters, and the Complete Edition adds every piece of DLC to the game, making the game even longer and more entertaining as a result.
1 Let It Die (135 Hours)
Let It Die marketed itself as a free-to-play Soulslike, and it's easy to see why it's the longest Soulslike on the list by a country mile. The very structure of the game itself warrants that players either grind as much as possible or invest actual money to expedite the process — an approach that many players are bound to complain about.
This game's unique and wacky aesthetic is certainly the biggest thing players will notice about this game. Players take on the role of a fighter exploring the massive Tower of Barbs, which is full of deadly enemies and powerful bosses. Players who strive to complete the game will have to grind for more than a hundred hours, which may not be up everyone's alley.