10 Games Like Elden Ring to Play Next

You just finished Elden Ring and you are standing in a boss arena that will never have another enemy in it. The void is real. The good news is that the game that introduced millions to the genre opened a door to an entire family of masterpieces. Some of these games share FromSoftware's DNA, others just nail the same feeling of dread, discovery, and triumph. We played them all to find the ten that come closest to recapturing that first time you staggered a Tree Sentinel.

Quick answer: The best games like Elden Ring are Dark Souls III, Bloodborne, and Sekiro, which share FromSoft's DNA, plus Lies of P and Black Myth Wukong as the best soulslikes made by other studios. Nightreign, Nioh 2, and Remnant 2 twist the formula, while Hollow Knight proves the genre works in 2D. Start with Dark Souls III if you want more of the same.

How We Picked These Games

We judged every game on three things: challenge that feels fair, world design that rewards curiosity, and that exact Elden Ring feeling of stumbling into something terrifying and winning anyway. We also considered how close each game gets to Elden Ring's open structure, since some players want that freedom above all else.

The FromSoftware Bloodline

If you want the safest bet, stay inside the studio that started it all.

10. Elden Ring Nightreign

Elden Ring's combat, compressed into 40-minute co-op runs with a roguelike twist. Play this if you want the fights without the 100-hour time investment.

4. Dark Souls

The legend that started the entire genre, with the best interconnected world in the series. Play this if you can handle a little jank to see where it all began.

3. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

The hardest game FromSoft ever made, and the most satisfying. One sword, one perfect combat system, no grinding. Play this if you want a pure skill test.

2. Bloodborne

Gothic horror, aggressive combat, and the best art direction in the genre. Dodging forward into attacks rewards aggression. Play this if you like horror and speed.

1. Dark Souls III

The most Elden Ring-like game FromSoft made before Elden Ring, with the same bonfire rhythm and boss lineup. Play this if you loved Elden Ring and want more of it.

The Soulslikes Worthy of the Name

FromSoft cannot make everything, and these studios proved they can play in the same arena.

5. Lies of P

Pinocchio with a steel arm and a parry window you will master or suffer. It is the most polished non-FromSoft soulslike ever made. Play this if you want a technical challenge with style.

6. Black Myth: Wukong

A stunning action RPG that feels like a Souls game wearing a beat-em-up costume, with spectacular boss fights. Play this if you want the boss rush, not the open world.

7. Nioh 2

Dark Souls combat layered with stances, ki pulses, and weapon skills for the deepest combat on this list. Play this if you love buildcraft and deep mechanics.

8. Remnant 2

Elden Ring with guns, and a co-op friend. Procedurally generated worlds and tense shooter combat make it the best soulslike for squads. Play this if you play co-op.

The Best Soulslike Adjacent Game

One game on this list has no three-dimensional world at all, and it still belongs here.

9. Hollow Knight

A 2D Metroidvania that understands Elden Ring's tension better than most 3D games, with a moody world and punishing bosses. Play this if you want atmosphere without a $70 price tag.

How to Choose Your Next Game

Pick the one that matches what you want most:

• Want more of the exact same feel: Dark Souls III or Dark Souls.
• Want faster, skill-based combat: Sekiro or Black Myth Wukong.
• Want to play with friends: Remnant 2 or Elden Ring Nightreign.
• Want the best non-FromSoft take: Lies of P.
• Want horror and speed: Bloodborne.

For a deeper breakdown of the genre's defining traits, read what exactly a soulslike is. If you get stuck on any of these games' toughest fights, our boss fight strategies guide will help. And if you want even more recommendations, browse our best games of 2026 so far, the best games under $20, and the best games on Game Pass.

Key Takeaways

• Dark Souls III is the closest thing to an Elden Ring sequel.
• Lies of P is the best soulslike made outside FromSoftware.
• Sekiro offers the purest skill-based challenge in the genre.
• Remnant 2 and Elden Ring Nightreign are the best co-op options.
• Hollow Knight proves the formula works beautifully in 2D.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Elden Ring harder than Dark Souls?

No. Elden Ring is actually the most accessible FromSoft game thanks to open-world freedom, spirit summons, and more checkpoints. Dark Souls and Sekiro are generally considered harder.

What is the closest game to Elden Ring?

Dark Souls III is the closest mechanically and tonally. Lies of P is the closest non-FromSoftware option if you want a modern sheen.

Is Black Myth Wukong a soulslike?

It is a soulslite at best. It shares boss-driven difficulty and checkpoints, but it lacks the stamina management and death-marker systems that define the genre.

Can I play these games with friends?

Remnant 2 and Elden Ring Nightreign support full co-op, and Bloodborne has limited co-op. The rest are single-player experiences.

Conclusion

Elden Ring did not invent the genre, it just made it mainstream. Every game on this list takes the same core loop of fear, failure, and eventual triumph and puts its own spin on it. Start with the one that matches what you want most, whether that is a direct sequel in Dark Souls III or a co-op shooter in Remnant 2, and you will find that same rush. The void you felt after Elden Ring does not last long.

Which game filled the Elden Ring void for you? Tell us in the comments and share this list with a friend who just finished their first playthrough.