There are action RPG games, and there are Souls-type titles that you either adore or hate. The main ingredients of Souls games are extreme difficulty, demanding colossal boss fights, and no save game positions with some exceptions. Most have an open world, but the emphasis is not on big cities and dialogues. Instead, the games focus on battle mechanics, and you will need to invest a severe amount of time into your skills to survive relentless landscapes complete with enemies and Demon bosses.
If you completed Dark Souls Trilogy, here are games you should play that have the same level of Souls difficulty and appeal.
Demon’s Souls Started it All
Before Dark Souls, the predecessor of the niche was Demon’s Soul. The 2009 original saw a remake last year, and it’s an exclusive title for PS5. The game takes advantage of new hardware, and it’s one of the best-looking games out there. The remake takes you to the kingdom of Boletaria, where you hack-and-slash to fulfill your mission and have the Nexus as the game’s central hub, unlike the Dark Souls franchise.
Monster Hunter: World With Gargantuan Enemies
Capcom published the first Monster Hunter game before Demon’s Souls. So regardless of who came first with the idea of defeating giant enemies with mad controller skills. Monster Hunter: World is the best-selling game in Capcom history, and they also made Monster Hunter-themed online slot machines, which is also one of their niches. While igaming players have reels with symbols from the game, Monster Hunter: World players must improve their armour and weapons and capture or slay various giant monsters throughout the game.
Hacking With a Samurai Sword in Sekiro: Shadow Die Twice
The same crew that created Dark Souls worked on Sekiro. But, again, FromSoftware took the tested formula and enveloped it in a new setting with similar die-hard fights, giant bosses and some differences. Sekiro takes place in the Sengoku period of Japan, and the main character is shinobi, who tries to take revenge on a samurai clan. Like Souls game, you can upgrade your skills and gear, but there are fewer RPG elements.
Bloodborne is a Victorian Take on Souls Games
The dark, moist and foggy setting of the Victorian age in Europe is a space where fast-paced combat of FromSoftware Bloodborne occurs. Although weapons are different, the game has tactical and skill levels required similar to Dark Souls. You also encounter huge bosses, but more emphasis is on agility and quickness in battle. If you like H.P.Lovcraft, or Bram Stoker books, enter Yharnam, a Gothic city is crawling with enemies.
Artistic Ashen With Brutal Combat
Ashen takes all the combat game mechanics from Dark Souls, focusing on close combat, dodge roll, and getting ritual stones instead of bonfires. However, the game has a different art style. A cartoonish open world has bright spaces, and it’s not entirely in dark, depressing areas. Style and artwork are the main difference, and another difference is co-op play, where you can take on massive bosses with a companion by your side.