Best games
Best souls-like games
The 48 best souls-like games, ranked from 29,016 critic and player ratings.
The best souls-like game right now is Elden Ring, with a critic score of 97/100. Updated September 2026.
How this ranking is built
- Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
- A game only enters the ranking with at least 80 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
- Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
- Release window covered: 1970 to 2026.
- 48 games are listed on this page, carrying 29,016 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 48
01
S
Elden Ring
Elden Ring is an action RPG developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, released in February 2022. Directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, with world-building contributions from novelist George R. R. Martin, the game features an expansive open world called the Lands Between. Players assume the role of a customisable character known as the Tarnished, who must explore this world, battle formidable enemies, and seek to restore the Elden Ring to become the Elden Lord. The game builds on the challenging gameplay mechanics familiar from the Dark Souls series but introduces a more open-ended structure with vast exploration, dynamic weather, and a day-night cycle. It offers deep lore, complex characters, and an interconnected world filled with secrets, dungeons, and powerful bosses.
97
/100
02
God of War (2018)
94
/100
03
Monster Hunter: World
Welcome to a new world! Take on the role of a hunter and slay ferocious monsters in a living, breathing ecosystem where you can use the landscape and its diverse inhabitants to get the upper hand. Hunt alone or in co-op with up to three other players, and use materials collected from fallen foes to craft new gear and take on even bigger, badder beasts!
93
/100
S
Elden Ring
Elden Ring is an action RPG developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, released in February 2022. Directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, with world-building contributions from novelist George R. R. Martin, the game features an expansive open world called the Lands Between. Players assume the role of a customisable character known as the Tarnished, who must explore this world, battle formidable enemies, and seek to restore the Elden Ring to become the Elden Lord. The game builds on the challenging gameplay mechanics familiar from the Dark Souls series but introduces a more open-ended structure with vast exploration, dynamic weather, and a day-night cycle. It offers deep lore, complex characters, and an interconnected world filled with secrets, dungeons, and powerful bosses.
97
/100
02
God of War (2018)
94
/100
03
Monster Hunter: World
Welcome to a new world! Take on the role of a hunter and slay ferocious monsters in a living, breathing ecosystem where you can use the landscape and its diverse inhabitants to get the upper hand. Hunt alone or in co-op with up to three other players, and use materials collected from fallen foes to craft new gear and take on even bigger, badder beasts!
93
/100
04
S
Hades II
Battle beyond the Underworld using dark sorcery to take on the Titan of Time in this bewitching sequel to the award-winning rogue-like dungeon crawler.
93
/100
05
Demon's Souls (2020)
Entirely rebuilt from the ground up and masterfully enhanced, Demon's Souls is a remake of the 2009 release that introduces the horrors of a fog-laden, dark fantasy land to a whole new generation of gamers. Those who’ve faced its trials and tribulations before, can once again challenge the darkness in stunning visual quality with incredible performance. The remake features improved graphics and animations, sound and lighting tweaks and a reimagining of many of the visual, musical and mechanical aspects of the original game.
92
/100
06
S
Bloodborne
An action RPG in which the player embodies a Hunter who, after being transfused with the mysterious blood local to the city of Yharnam, sets off into a "night of the Hunt", an extended night in which Hunters may phase in and out of dream and reality in order to thin the outbreak of abominable beasts that plague the land and, for the more resilient and insightful Hunters, uncover the answers to the Hunt's many mysteries.
91
/100
07
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a platform-adventure game that combines exploration, traversal, and combat within an interconnected world. Designed in a Metroidvania style, it focuses on navigating varied environments, uncovering hidden areas, and acquiring abilities that expand movement and progression options. The game features a system of upgrades and spirit-based skills that support different playstyles, along with environmental challenges and encounters that require timing and precision. Its presentation emphasizes detailed animation and a cohesive audiovisual design that supports both exploration and gameplay.
91
/100
08
Dark Souls
Dark Souls is an action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Released in September 2011 as a spiritual sequel to Demon's Souls, it is set in a dark, medieval fantasy world. It is renowned for its challenging gameplay, intricate level design, and deep lore. Players control a customizable character known as the Chosen Undead, embarking on a perilous journey to uncover the secrets of the cursed land of Lordran. Dark Souls is known for its punishing difficulty, requiring players to carefully manage combat, stamina, and resources while navigating hostile environments filled with dangerous enemies and formidable bosses. The game features a unique multiplayer component, allowing players to leave messages for others, summon allies for cooperative play, or invade other players' worlds for PvP combat. The original release of Dark Souls received critical acclaim for its atmospheric world, innovative mechanics, and rewarding gameplay, solidifying its place as a seminal title in the action RPG genre.
91
/100
09
Dark Souls II
Dark Souls II is an action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, released in March 2014. Set in the kingdom of Drangleic, players control the Bearer of the Curse, seeking to cure their undead curse. The game features challenging combat, deep lore, and a dark, atmospheric world. It introduces new mechanics like dual-wielding and a flexible character progression system, with improved multiplayer options for cooperative and PvP play. The online servers were shut down on March 31st, 2024.
90
/100
10
Returnal
Returnal is a 2021 roguelike third-person shooter video game developed by Housemarque and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It follows Selene Vassos, an astronaut who lands on the planet Atropos in search of the mysterious "White Shadow" signal and finds herself trapped in a time loop. After crash-landing on a shape-shifting alien planet, Selene finds herself fighting tooth and nail for survival. Every time she’s defeated, the player is forced to restart the journey.
90
/100
11
Tunic
89
/100
12
B
Dark Souls III
89
/100
13
Path of Exile 2
88
/100
14
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2
88
/100
15
Black Myth: Wukong
88
/100
16
S
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
87
/100
17
Death's Door
87
/100
18
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
87
/100
19
Silent Hill f
86
/100
20
Stellar Blade
86
/100
21
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
86
/100
22
Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition
86
/100
23
Lies Of P
85
/100
24
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
85
/100
25
Nioh 2
85
/100
26
D
Dark Souls: Remastered
84
/100
27
Salt and Sanctuary
84
/100
28
Mortal Kombat 1
84
/100
29
Remnant II
84
/100
30
Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight
83
/100
31
B
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
80
/100
32
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
80
/100
33
S
Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin
79
/100
34
Sifu
79
/100
35
Blasphemous
78
/100
36
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
78
/100
37
Ashen
77
/100
38
Remnant: From the Ashes
76
/100
39
Mortal Shell
75
/100
40
Gunfire Reborn
74
/100
41
The Surge
72
/100
42
Code Vein
72
/100
43
Wuthering Waves
70
/100
44
Lords of the Fallen
69
/100
45
Bright Memory: Infinite
65
/100
46
Contrast
62
/100
47
Where Winds Meet
55
/100
48
S
Escape from Tarkov
30
/100
S
Hades II
Battle beyond the Underworld using dark sorcery to take on the Titan of Time in this bewitching sequel to the award-winning rogue-like dungeon crawler.
93
/100
05
Demon's Souls (2020)
Entirely rebuilt from the ground up and masterfully enhanced, Demon's Souls is a remake of the 2009 release that introduces the horrors of a fog-laden, dark fantasy land to a whole new generation of gamers. Those who’ve faced its trials and tribulations before, can once again challenge the darkness in stunning visual quality with incredible performance. The remake features improved graphics and animations, sound and lighting tweaks and a reimagining of many of the visual, musical and mechanical aspects of the original game.
92
/100
06
S
Bloodborne
An action RPG in which the player embodies a Hunter who, after being transfused with the mysterious blood local to the city of Yharnam, sets off into a "night of the Hunt", an extended night in which Hunters may phase in and out of dream and reality in order to thin the outbreak of abominable beasts that plague the land and, for the more resilient and insightful Hunters, uncover the answers to the Hunt's many mysteries.
91
/100
07
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a platform-adventure game that combines exploration, traversal, and combat within an interconnected world. Designed in a Metroidvania style, it focuses on navigating varied environments, uncovering hidden areas, and acquiring abilities that expand movement and progression options. The game features a system of upgrades and spirit-based skills that support different playstyles, along with environmental challenges and encounters that require timing and precision. Its presentation emphasizes detailed animation and a cohesive audiovisual design that supports both exploration and gameplay.
91
/100
08
Dark Souls
Dark Souls is an action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Released in September 2011 as a spiritual sequel to Demon's Souls, it is set in a dark, medieval fantasy world. It is renowned for its challenging gameplay, intricate level design, and deep lore. Players control a customizable character known as the Chosen Undead, embarking on a perilous journey to uncover the secrets of the cursed land of Lordran. Dark Souls is known for its punishing difficulty, requiring players to carefully manage combat, stamina, and resources while navigating hostile environments filled with dangerous enemies and formidable bosses. The game features a unique multiplayer component, allowing players to leave messages for others, summon allies for cooperative play, or invade other players' worlds for PvP combat. The original release of Dark Souls received critical acclaim for its atmospheric world, innovative mechanics, and rewarding gameplay, solidifying its place as a seminal title in the action RPG genre.
91
/100
09
Dark Souls II
Dark Souls II is an action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, released in March 2014. Set in the kingdom of Drangleic, players control the Bearer of the Curse, seeking to cure their undead curse. The game features challenging combat, deep lore, and a dark, atmospheric world. It introduces new mechanics like dual-wielding and a flexible character progression system, with improved multiplayer options for cooperative and PvP play. The online servers were shut down on March 31st, 2024.
90
/100
10
Returnal
Returnal is a 2021 roguelike third-person shooter video game developed by Housemarque and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It follows Selene Vassos, an astronaut who lands on the planet Atropos in search of the mysterious "White Shadow" signal and finds herself trapped in a time loop. After crash-landing on a shape-shifting alien planet, Selene finds herself fighting tooth and nail for survival. Every time she’s defeated, the player is forced to restart the journey.
90
/100
11
Tunic
89
/100
12
B
Dark Souls III
89
/100
13
Path of Exile 2
88
/100
14
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2
88
/100
15
Black Myth: Wukong
88
/100
16
S
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
87
/100
17
Death's Door
87
/100
18
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
87
/100
19
Silent Hill f
86
/100
20
Stellar Blade
86
/100
21
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
86
/100
22
Nioh 2 – The Complete Edition
86
/100
23
Lies Of P
85
/100
24
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
85
/100
25
Nioh 2
85
/100
26
D
Dark Souls: Remastered
84
/100
27
Salt and Sanctuary
84
/100
28
Mortal Kombat 1
84
/100
29
Remnant II
84
/100
30
Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight
83
/100
31
B
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
80
/100
32
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
80
/100
33
S
Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin
79
/100
34
Sifu
79
/100
35
Blasphemous
78
/100
36
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
78
/100
37
Ashen
77
/100
38
Remnant: From the Ashes
76
/100
39
Mortal Shell
75
/100
40
Gunfire Reborn
74
/100
41
The Surge
72
/100
42
Code Vein
72
/100
43
Wuthering Waves
70
/100
44
Lords of the Fallen
69
/100
45
Bright Memory: Infinite
65
/100
46
Contrast
62
/100
47
Where Winds Meet
55
/100
48
S
Escape from Tarkov
30
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best souls-like game?
Elden Ring currently tops the ranking with a score of 97/100 across 2,120 ratings. Ranking updated September 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.