Soulslike Games Ranked: My Totally Biased (But Honest) Tier List After Hundreds of Deaths

Here’s a fun stat for you — I’ve died over 4,000 times across soulslike games. I actually started counting at one point, which is either dedication or a cry for help. Either way, I’ve earned the right to rank these punishing masterpieces!

The soulslike genre has absolutely exploded over the past decade. What started with FromSoftware’s brutal vision has inspired dozens of developers to create their own takes on stamina-based combat, cryptic storytelling, and controller-throwing difficulty. So let’s get into it — here are my soulslike games ranked from personal experience, countless rage quits, and genuine love for the genre.

The S-Tier: Absolute Masterpieces

Look, I gotta put Elden Ring at the top. It just is what it is. The open world design mixed with that signature FromSoftware combat was a revelation when it dropped. I remember calling in sick to work the day after launch because I’d stayed up until 4 AM exploring Limgrave.

Bloodborne sits right next to it for me. The aggressive, rally-based combat system literally rewired my brain. After Bloodborne, I couldn’t go back to hiding behind shields — and honestly, the Lovecraftian horror atmosphere is still unmatched in the genre. The trick weapons alone deserve their own tier list.

The A-Tier: Nearly Perfect Experiences

Dark Souls 3 belongs here without question. It refined everything the series built and delivered some of the best boss fights in gaming history. The Nameless King still gives me sweaty palms, not gonna lie.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a weird one because some folks don’t even consider it a true soulslike. But the posture-based deflection system was so satisfying once it clicked. I spent like three days on Genichiro before something just snapped in my brain and suddenly I was parrying everything. That moment of triumph? Chef’s kiss.

Lies of P genuinely surprised me. A Pinocchio-themed soulslike sounded ridiculous, but the weapon assembly system and gorgeous Belle Époque setting won me over completely. It’s probably the best non-FromSoftware entry in the genre.

The B-Tier: Great But With Some Rough Edges

Dark Souls 1 is iconic and I respect it deeply, but going back to it now? Some areas have aged rough. Lost Izalith is still a mess and the Bed of Chaos might be the worst boss ever designed. Still, that interconnected world design was groundbreaking for its time.

Nioh 2 deserves way more love than it gets. The yokai shift mechanics and stance-switching combat gave it incredible depth. However, the mission-based structure instead of an interconnected world always felt a bit off for me. It’s more like a soulslike action-RPG hybrid, and that’s totally fine.

I’d also throw Mortal Shell in here. It’s short and a little janky, but the hardening mechanic was genuinely innovative. A solid pick if you want something you can finish in a weekend.

The C-Tier: Fun But Flawed

Dark Souls 2 — and yeah, I know this is controversial. There’s actually a passionate community that considers it the best in the series. I ain’t one of them. The adaptability stat affecting dodge i-frames was a terrible design choice that confused so many new players. But the DLC content was genuinely excellent, and powerstancing was ahead of its time.

Lords of the Fallen (2023 reboot) had potential but the performance issues at launch really hurt it. The Umbral realm mechanic was cool in theory, though it got repetitive fast. It’s been patched quite a bit since, so maybe worth revisiting.

A Few Quick Honorable Mentions

• Hollow Knight — technically a metroidvania but soulslike enough to earn a mention
• Star Wars Jedi: Survivor — accessible soulslike combat with amazing Star Wars vibes
• Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty — deflect-heavy combat similar to Sekiro but set in Three Kingdoms China

Now Go Die Repeatedly (You’ll Love It)

Honestly, your personal ranking will look different from mine — and that’s the beauty of this genre. Each soulslike game offers a unique twist on the formula, so what clicks for you might not click for me. My advice? Start with whatever setting or combat style appeals to you most and don’t feel pressured to begin with the “hardest” one.

Just remember to be patient with yourself. Every soulslike veteran was once stuck on that first impossible boss. If you enjoyed this ranking, make sure to check out more gaming content over on Voltzora — we’ve got plenty more where this came from!