Let’s face it, Soulslike games are extremely difficult, and they aren’t for everyone. There are plenty of people who just can’t get into this style of action-adventure games, either because of their settings orthe brutal nature.
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What you might not realize is that there are many games out there that fall into the Soulslike genre that are not nearly as difficult as the flagship series that started it all. Some games take a completely different path, making them far more amusing for those who aren’t intoDark Soulsspecifically.
If you’re someone that is open to checking out the right type of Soulslike but are already predisposed to disliking the most similar in the genre, let me make you some alternative suggestions. These are 10 games that even non-Souls fans may be able to get behind. Sure, some can still be challenging, but they’re also more approachable in at least one specific way, too.
10Titan Souls
Titan Souls
Imagine the difficulty of Dark Souls brought into the 16-bit format, but with one key difference: you only have one arrow to take down a hulking titan with. That is the premise ofTitan Souls, and it is much better than it sounds.
The entirety of Titan Souls is focused on amazing boss fights that will throw you for a loop and keep you guessing. That is the beauty and fun of this game, and it loops you into wanting to come back to take down these big baddies time and time again.
I’ve had multiple friends who don’t like Soulslike games recommend this game, which just kind of goes to show that it’s able to transcend genres and has become a choice for a wider range of gamers.
9Talon’s Blade
Unique Mechanics
Talon’s Blade is a unique Soulslike for the way that its combat is structured. Instead of the normal parry mechanic, Talon’s Balde takes a slightly different approach. This makes iteasier than Dark Souls,but in a fun way.
If you want to be successful in Talon’s Blade’s combat, you need to time your parry action with an actual swing of your blade, allowing you to knock enemies off guard in the process. This then allows you to cast magic in quick succession, too.
This different take on the standard Soulslike combat mechanic is something that I love about Talon’s Blade, but I also enjoy the exploration and the crafting system. The downside is the combat can be exploited by rapidly attacking in different directions, minimizing the difficulty.
8Darksiders III
Strange It Was The Third
Darksiders 3
Fextralife Wiki
It took Gunfire Games until the third game in the Darksiders series to make it a Soulslike, and I am glad they did. This resulted in an experience that was able to elevate and differentiate itself from the two preceding games.
The original title was a pure hack-and-slash game, and the sequels built off that gameplay to create what is the best combat in the series in the third installment. With strong combat that involves stamina management and dodge-rolling, it feels like a Soulslike without ever gettingtoocrazy.
Don’t worry, there are plenty of other aspects of a Soulslike in this one, too. The third game added checkpoints, difficult boss fights, and experience loss if you die.Darksiders IIIis a tough one, but well worth trying out.
It’s A Beat-Em-Up
I must admit, I was a bit surprised when I realized Kiborg is a Soulslike game, since it doesn’t come off that way at first. On the surface, this game is very much a beat-em-up title similar to Slaughterhouse or Sifu, except you’re farless likely to have heard of this one.
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What makes this game more Soulslike is the dodge and parry mechanics combined with some difficult boss fights. The purpose of the title is to battle your way through a hellish prison filled with bandits, thieves, murderers, and mutants while trying to escape. Each success gives you more of the game’s story.
If you are a fan of nonstop violence and want a taste of that classic beat-em-up gameplay style, you might want to give Kiborg a try. It’s a good way to dip your toe in the genre while still playing something that feels almost entirely different.
A Difficult Adventure
Outward is one of thoseSoulslike games that got fairly bad review scores. I am here to tell you that it is actually good, as long as you like RPGs. If you aren’t afraid of a challenge and like exploring, this might be the game for you.
You are thrust into a large open world with little direction and the need to explore if you want to find your way. Every group of enemies you come across can easily spell your doom if you aren’t prepared, but locating quality loot and finding the next objective feels rewarding.
This game could easily be compared to something like Skyrim, but in a third-person perspective and less forgiving.
5Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
An Amazing Franchise
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
The Star Wars Jedi series has, so far, been fantastic, and is perfect for those who want a Soulslike game that is a bit on the easier side with tons of exploration. While both games are great,Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Orderis the place to start.
This Star Wars title follows the journey of Cal Kestis as he flees from the Empire that is hunting him down. During this process, you must fight tough bosses and explore beautiful planets never before seen in the Star Wars universe.
For those who aren’t amazing at Soulslike games, this one offers different degrees of difficulty, so you may sit back and enjoy the story rather than put up with absurdly tough combat.
4Salt And Sacrifice
Death Mages
Salt and Sacrifice
Perhaps you aren’t into 3D environments and want something that is a bit more old school. If that is the case, you should consider Salt and Sacrifice — the successor to Salt and Sanctuary.
This title tells the story of a kingdom that is plunged into chaos by elemental chaos mages. You are a marked Inquisitor that must hunt these mages down, but it won’t be easy. The boss fights are much easier than those in a traditional Souls game though, but equally thrilling, as you never know when you might meet your doom.
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This side-scrolling adventure can also able to be played co-op for those who don’t want to traverse this difficult world alone. Trust me, it is much better to play with a friend.
3Another Crab’s Treasure
Adorable And Deadly
Another Crab’s Treasure
Do you like silly games that can make you get serious in a heartbeat when the music starts playing and a boss rushes in? If so, you might want to try out Another Crab’s Treasure; a Soulslike under the sea.
This game centers around a little hermit crab who lost his shell and must embark on a journey to get it back. There are a few hilarious NPCs that you meet along the way that liven this game up and keep it amusing.
Of course, the game is not without its boss battles, but it is farless difficult than your typical Soulslikeexperience. Plus, it has a ton of super-customizable difficulty settings to fine-tune it just how you want to play.
2Hollow Knight
Amazing Art And Story
Hollow Knight
Hollow Knightis one of the more unique games that I am ashamed to say I didn’t check out sooner, and instead needed to be convinced to play. Many of the people I know who aren’t Soulslike fans gravitated towards this game despite its obvious Soulslike nature.
Really, the main parts of this game that categorize it as a Soulslike are the great degree of difficulty, intense boss fights, and the repeated death cycle that makes you learn from your mistakes and recollect your XP.
Despite this, Hollow Knight is very much its own thing and is a great introductory game in terms of difficulty for those who have never played a Soulslike title or someone who just isn’t interested in an action-adventure game.
Very Retro
If you would rather not play a Soulslike title and would prefer to pick up a fun little action-adventure title that isa great hybrid of styles,you should tryTunic.Everything about Tunic feels like a Soulslike from the combat with difficult bosses to world exploration, but it is also more classic and scaled down for easy adaptability and doesn’t thrust you into an unforgiving world.
All of the enemies in Tunic have attack patterns that you can easily read and learn if you are having a difficult time. As a bonus, the art style is very much inspired by older N64 titles, and there are game manual pages sprinkled throughout the world.
To top it all off, there aremultiple Reddit threadsabout how this game is the first Soulslike game people could get into. If that doesn’t scream the essence of this article, I don’t know what does.
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