Recently, fans of the Soulsborne genre were taken aback by the announcement that FromSoftware's latest project, The Duskbloods—an online multiplayer game with a quasi-Victorian aesthetic reminiscent of Bloodborne 2—would be exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2, priced at $449.99. This news has understandably caused a stir among the community of undead, hunters, and tarnished. However, there's no need to despair. Since Dark Souls catapulted FromSoftware to fame in 2011, numerous developers have ventured into crafting games that either echo or reimagine the Soulsborne formula. While some have fallen short, many have risen to the challenge.
You might already be acquainted with some of the more prominent titles such as Nioh, Lies of P, and Black Myth: Wukong. Yet, it's the indie scene where some of the most innovative and compelling soulslike games have emerged. These smaller teams, often constrained by limited resources, have turned to creativity to capture the essence that Hidetaka Miyazaki and his team have been perfecting for years.
Here, without any particular order, is a curated list of the ten best indie soulslikes that you can dive into today, without needing the Nintendo Switch 2.
Eldest Souls
Developer: Fallen Flag Studio | Publisher: United Label, CI Games | Release date: July 29, 2021 | Review: Read IGN's Eldest Souls review
The Soulsborne formula encompasses various elements such as exploration, skill-based combat, cryptic lore, environmental storytelling, and epic boss battles. Eldest Souls zeroes in on the latter, offering a boss-rush experience. Set within a sprawling citadel reminiscent of Bloodborne, players control a lone warrior battling intricately designed monsters. The game's 2D combat system is dynamic, requiring more than just timing your button presses correctly, though that remains a core aspect.
Blasphemous
Developer: The Game Kitchen | Publisher: Team17 | Release date: September 10, 2019 | Review: Read IGN's Blasphemous review
Fans of Bloodborne's architecture will find themselves at home in Blasphemous, a 2D metroidvania set in Cvstodia, where a masked crusader uncovers eldritch horrors within a Roman Catholicism-inspired order. The game's aesthetic draws from the religious art of Renaissance Italy and Inquisition-era Spain, creating a haunting atmosphere. The mesmerizing character and boss designs, which continue to impress in Blasphemous 2 and its Mea Culpa DLC, echo the unsettling quality of FromSoftware's work.
Tunic
Developer: Tunic Team | Publisher: Finji | Release date: March 16, 2022 | Review: Read IGN's Tunic review
Drawing inspiration from FromSoftware's own influences, particularly the original Zelda games, Tunic evokes a sense of curiosity and wonder. Despite its protagonist—a charming fox with a sword—the game's level design is interconnected and deliberately obtuse, much like FromSoftware's titles. With no objective markers and indecipherable in-game dialogue, players are left to piece together the story of a world touched by calamity.
Tails of Iron
Developer: Odd Bug Studio | Publisher: United Label | Release date: September 17, 2021
Tails of Iron and its sequel, Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter, combine a whimsical picture book aesthetic with dark, gritty storytelling akin to Game of Thrones or The Witcher. Narrated by Doug Cockle, the voice of Geralt of Rivia, these games feature richly detailed environments that exude the atmosphere and character of FromSoftware's worlds, despite their more straightforward narrative approach.
Mortal Shell
Developer: Cold Symmetry | Publisher: Playstack | Release date: August 18, 2021 | Review: Read IGN's Mortal Shell review
Mortal Shell stands out with its unique mechanic allowing players to possess different characters (shells) with preset builds, offering diverse playstyles for boss encounters. The game's enemy design is visually striking, and its combat strikes a balance between challenge and excitement, a feat FromSoftware achieved notably with Bloodborne.
Sinner: Sacrifice for Redemption
Developer: Dark Star | Publisher: Neon Doctrine | Release date: October 23, 2018 | Review: Read IGN's Sinner: Sacrifice for Redemption review
Sinner: Sacrifice for Redemption introduces a novel twist on progression by requiring players to level down, making subsequent battles increasingly difficult. This mechanic enhances replayability as players must strategize which abilities to sacrifice before each boss fight, each representing one of the Seven Deadly Sins.
Nine Sols
Developer: RedCandleGames | Publisher: RedCandleGames | Release date: May 29, 2024
Taking cues specifically from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Nine Sols emphasizes defensive combat with a focus on dodging, blocking, and parrying. The game's blend of cyberpunk and East Asian mythology creates a unique setting where combat is rhythmic and reactive, rather than aggressive.
Unsighted
Developer: Studio Pixel Punk | Publisher: Humble Games | Release date: September 30, 2021
Unsighted emphasizes the narrative and gameplay aspect of character relationships, akin to Majora's Mask or FromSoftware's games. In this metroidvania, automatons have limited power supplies, and players must manage time and interactions to prevent NPCs from disappearing, adding urgency and strategic depth.
Another Crab’s Treasure
Developer: Aggro Crab | Publisher: Aggro Crab | Release date: April 25, 2024 | Review: Read IGN's Another Crab’s Treasure review
Another Crab’s Treasure introduces a fresh mechanic where players customize their defensive shell using environmental pollution on the ocean floor. With only one primary weapon, the game encourages varied playstyles through different shell types, each with unique attacks and durability.
Exanima
Developer: Bare Mettle Entertainment | Publisher: Bare Mettle Entertainment | Release date: April 29, 2015
Exanima combines elements of Dark Souls and Getting Over It, featuring physics-based combat in demon-infested dungeons. Despite being in early access for over a decade, the game offers a suspenseful experience with its sensitive controls, reminiscent of early encounters in Lordran or Drangleic.
AnswerSee ResultsThose are our 10 picks for the best indie soulslikes. But there are many more out there worth your time, including *Death's Door*, *Loot River*, *Featherfall*, and *Dark Devotion*. Did we include your favorite? Let us know if we missed a great one down in the comments. And for more challenging encounters, be sure to check out our list of the best soulslikes (non indie edition!)
