Bloodborneis a game that will likely never be replicated, but while there are a ton of soullikes out there, there are also games that aim to recreate the specific vibe and gameplay that Bloodborne introduced to the gaming lexicon.
These are the games that tell you aggression is all.If you don’t act first, your enemy will. We’re taking a look at a handful of games that replicate that first trip to Yarhnam.
8 Best Games Where You’re In The Mob, Ranked
Whether it’s smuggling, thieving, or murdering, these games throw players into the world of the original American gangsters.
Our criteria are going to be fast-paced soulslikes, that emphasize offense over defense and, of course, give you a similar feeling to when you play Bloodborne.
We will also include games that include mysterious, Lovecraftian horror and that feeling of dread that visitors of Yarhnam remember all too well.
10Remnant 2
A Creepy Soulslike With Bullets
Remnant 2might look a bit different fromBloodborneat first glance, but that feeling quickly goes away once you start playing. Having no defense, the twitch reflexes, the focus on all-out attack, it’s all here.
There is even a world that feels ripped right out of Yarnham complete witha boss in the Nightweaverthat would feel right at home being a part of the hunt.
The melee combat is full of fast-paced action too, relying on offense and quick dodging, andyou’ll feel that similar sort of high-octane groove that made you fall in love with the dark, Gothic, weirdness of Bloodborneonce upon a time.
9Rise of the Ronin
Bloodborne’s Challenge in Samurai Clothing
Rise of the Ronin
I’ll state upfront that this was my personalGame of the Year in 2024and that’s due to how great the combat is. Rise of the Ronin is an open-world souls-like that focuses on parrying and stance-switching to take down your foes.
It all goes down in lightning-fast clashes that require super-quick reflexes and move studying to overcome. You even get guns, letting you gain some space from your attacker with well-timed shots, not unlike Bloodborne’s parrying system.
The blood is a keyword here, as there are going to be pools of it in Rise of the Ronin and some of the bosses here will have you sweating as you tightly grip that controller much in the same way Bloodborne’s monstrosities would require.
8Darkest Dungeon
Horror of a Different Kind
Darkest Dungeon
Sometimes a game just reminds you of another game, and it doesn’t even have to be the same genre. That’s the case with Darkest Dungeon and Bloodborne.
The focus on psychological horror, along with weird, creepy folklore and atmosphere came together perfectly in Darkest Dungeon to create theturn-based version of Bloodborne.
Everything from the art style to the voiceovers, to the enemy design felt like it came straight from the hunt, and the Permadeth feature that all of your characters have adds an even more intense layer on top.
If you think turn-based means you may relax, my sweet summer child, you are badly mistaken.This has all the white-knuckle-gripping combat of Bloodborne packed into each decision you make, and sometimes even the right move can result in a character dying if they’ve broken mentally.
It’s also got an obscure, weird story that will have you wondering just what the hell went wrong in this clearly doomed world.
A True Ninja
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Sekirois theother side of the Bloodborne coin.Where Bloodborne demands lightning-fast-dodging reflexes, Sekiro demands the same from the parrying sideof things.
Encounters here rely on your ability to parry in a variety of ways, demanding you pay close attention to the type of attacks your enemy is using in order to determine the best type of counter to use.
15 Best Games Like Sekiro
Sekiro will leave you wanting more but these games might help fill the gap in your heart.
It’s a fascinating dance that creates some of the best battles in videogame history and the bosses in Sekiro are among some of the toughest you’ll ever encounter.
The weird, creepy, and obscure atmosphere is here too, starting you off in what seems to be a simple rebellion until it’s clear that something much more dark and mystical is at play here.
6Hollow Knight
Indie Souls
Hollow Knight
While it may look cute on the surface, Hollow Knight is aschallenging and weird as it comes. You take the role of a literal bug knight and are thrust into a weird and intriguing world full of all manner of terrifying creatures.
Of course, the inhabitants of the world you explore are victims of some mysterious infection that is spreading, so there is plenty of intrigue that is part of this tale.
The combat is incredibly fast-paced andalthough you start off with a pretty basic attack kit, defeating bosses will net you additional abilitiesto make your monster-slaying venture all the more effective.
It’s crystal clear from the outset that this was meant to be a unique take on Bloodborne, so if you don’t mind side-scrolling, this is a can’t-miss adventure.
5Blasphemous
Bloodborne-vania
Blasphemous
If Hollow Knight is a spin on the Bloodborne formula, then Blasphemous is an homage to it. Right away, the art style screams Gothic horror, and you know what you’re in for.
Blasphemous isan extremely challenging soulslikethat ventures into Metroidvania territory and does so with expert precision. You play as the Pentinent One,a silent protagonist who is trying to save the world from a scourge that has turned many into hideous abominations.
There are strange characters that will lore dump to you, a creepy church, off-putting merchants; you get the deal. This is very much a 2D Bloodborne in its vibe.
The gameplay is just as good, however, with some fiercely challenging foes, secret bosses to unlock, and an ever-growing arsenal of weapons and spells to unleash on the horrifying monsters that await.
4The Surge 2
The Future Is Dark
The Surge 2
The Surge 2 is a unique experience and,although you’re grafted onto an exo-suit, the combat is incredibly fast-paced, relying on unique parry mechanics and dodging and literally ducking your enemy’s attacks.
The atmosphere is what reminds me of Bloodborne the most here. It’s a futuristic city where something has gone direly wrong, leading to all manner of psychos in their respective exo-suits coming to hunt you down.
Similar to Bloodborne, something is poisoning their minds, and you’re not exactly sure what the cause is, and unraveling that mystery makes all theintense combat you’ll be experiencing well worth it.
Vampire Bloodborne
When I first played Vampyr,the dour tone, the color palette, the movement, and the combat all screamed one thing to me: Budget Bloodborne.But that’s not an insult! Rather, a hefty complement as, at the time, nobody dared try to replicate the style of that game.
You play as a doctor who becomes a Vampyr and that fascinating dichotomy plays out as you decide who to heal and who to feed on during the time of the Spanish Flu.
It’s a brilliant concept and brought to life by tough, fast-paced combat that utilizes a strafing move and several melee and long-range weapons that do their best to replicate Bloodborne’s amazing and bloody dance.
If you want a bit more story and role-playing in yourGothic horror experiences, Vampyr has a ton to offer.
Bloodborne Lite
From the indie side of things, Thymesia is a tight and short experience that focuses on everything that made Bloodbore so memorable. We’ve got the dark, obscure story, the creepy-looking characters, the feeling of exploring a town that has gone horribly wrong, it’s all here.
Thymesia has a few unique tricks up its sleeve though, withspecial counter abilities and a magical counter-attack that becomes crucial for every encounter, and it demands you learn it, or you’ll be having a pretty rough time when it comes to some of the bosses here.
The movement is super fast, focusing on dashes and dodges rather than blocking. It’s also got that claustrophobic energy that Bloodborne had, leaving you to deal with terrifying creatures in tight spaces that demand a put-up or shut-up mentality.
1Lies of P
The Superior Successor
Lies of Pdoes not hide its inspiration at all.From the first step you take, you’re in a creepy, broken-down city filled with things trying to kill you, a monotone doll-like woman in your home base, a creepy old woman in a wheelchair, and only a vague sense of what might be going on.
Many have called Lies of P the spiritual successor to Bloodborne, and they’re oh so right, but that’s a good thing.Because Lies of P just might be the better game.
Focusing on dodging and parrying, the combat here is incredible, with tons of weapons that can change their form depending on how you customize them and all sorts of unique abilities that make taking down the enemies here a joy to engage with.
This is a twisted version of Pinocchio, so all the aspects of that story are included in a dark way, giving us an intriguing mystery to discover throughout the game, leading to fascinating twists and epic, supremely challenging boss encounters that rival anything in Bloodborne.
It’s also got plenty of interesting mechanics, like a new game, plus that allows you to replay the game, this time with the ability to understand what the puppets are saying, leading to some tragic revelations.
8 Best Hack & Slash Roguelikes
For when you’re in the mood for some melee action, again and again.
