iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
If you want a Soulslike that changes more than its setting, start with Lies of P for parry-focused, weapon-building combat; Elden Ring for open-world freedom; Remnant 2 for ranged fighting and co-op; or Nine Sols for 2D exploration and deflections. Another Crab’s Treasure offers a colorful underwater take on familiar challenge patterns. These games share some Soulslike DNA, but the label is flexible: a few are better described as Soulsborne or Soulslike-adjacent.
What makes a game a Soulslike?
There is no official checklist that every Soulslike must meet. Common conventions include losing resources when you die, enemies returning after you rest, and demanding boss fights. Games use these elements in different combinations, so genre boundaries remain debatable. GameSpot’s guide to Soulslike games describes recurring conventions, while TechRadar’s guide acknowledges that the label is not precise.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Lies of P - PlayStation 5 | $38.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Lies of P (PS5) | $35.19 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Lies of P [Korean Edition] for PS5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51+-vdq74lL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Lies of P [Korean Edition] for PS5 | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Maximum Entertainment 34 Sports Games - World Edition (PS5) | $26.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
The Art of Lies of P | $28.10 | Buy on Amazon |
That distinction matters here: Elden Ring is a FromSoftware Soulsborne game, and Nine Sols is an action Metroidvania often described as Soulslike-adjacent. They are included because they offer meaningful variations on familiar combat or progression patterns, not because the label has a settled definition.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWhich Soulslike should you play?
| Game | What it changes | Best fit | Genre framing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lies of P | Parry-focused combat and weapons assembled from interchangeable blades and hilts | Players who want focused, deliberate action in a linear structure | Soulslike |
| Elden Ring | Open-world exploration lets you pursue other routes instead of staying stuck on one encounter | Players who want freedom to explore and build strength elsewhere | Soulsborne |
| Remnant 2 | Rifles, shotguns, and pistols shift the combat toward ranged fighting; co-op supports up to three players | Players looking for a shooter-oriented action game, alone or with friends | Soulslike-inspired action-adventure |
| Nine Sols | Deflection-driven combat meets a 2D interconnected world | Players who enjoy timing-focused fights and Metroidvania exploration | Action Metroidvania; Soulslike-adjacent |
| Another Crab’s Treasure | Recognizable challenge and resource-loss conventions move to a colorful underwater setting | Players who want a lighter visual tone without abandoning demanding combat | Soulslike |
The descriptions above reflect the distinctions made in TechRadar’s recommendations, GameSpot’s genre and game guide, and PCGamesN’s guide.
#1 Best Overall
- The essence of battle: Wield and master various weapons with unique combinations of Fable Arts and Legion Arms to find out what fits your playstyle
- Variety of attraction: Enjoy the beautiful, yet dark atmosphere of the Belle Époque era and explore the once prosperous city of Krat
- Lie system: P is made of a puppet's heart, but he learns how to think and feel like a human by lying
- Legacy of the classics: The city of Krat, the characters, and even the smallest objects reflect our deepest admiration for the original tale of Pinocchio
Games that put a different spin on the formula
Lies of P: deliberate parries and buildable weapons
Lies of P is a strong pick if you want a close, focused combat loop rather than a sprawling map. Its linear sequence of levels emphasizes parrying, and its weapon system lets you combine interchangeable blades and hilts. The Pinocchio-inspired premise and grim, Belle Époque-inspired puppet city give the familiar action a distinct identity. Choose it for measured encounters and hands-on weapon customization, not open-world roaming. TechRadar and PCGamesN both feature it among their recommendations.
Elden Ring: leave a hard fight and find another way forward
Elden Ring is a FromSoftware Soulsborne title, rather than an outside studio’s take on the genre. Its major change is structural: the open world gives you room to explore other routes when an encounter proves difficult. That makes it a natural choice if you want the familiar demanding action loop but prefer not to be confined to one progression path. PCGamesN covers it alongside other variations, and TechRadar includes it in its genre guide.
Rank #2
- Inspired by the familiar story of Pinocchio, Lies of P is an action souls-like set in a dark Belle Époque world.
- As the puppet P, players must wind their way through the streets of the ruined city of Krat, crafting weapons from the materials found in the world and interacting with the remaining few who manage to survive in this hellscape.
- The more lies told, the more human players become, with all the advantages and disadvantages it entails.
- Experience profound narrative choices and deeply customizable character progression as you guide P on his unrelenting journey to become human.
Remnant 2: ranged combat with cooperative play
Remnant 2 changes the expected close-range rhythm by centering firearms such as rifles, shotguns, and pistols. It also encourages co-op for up to three players. Consider it if you want demanding action-adventure combat with a shooter emphasis or a cooperative option, rather than a game built chiefly around melee duels. TechRadar describes its weapons and cooperative play.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Nine Sols: deflections in a 2D Metroidvania
Nine Sols combines a 2D, interconnected exploration structure with combat built around parrying, rhythm, and deflection. Its science-fiction setting and broad map set it apart from the genre’s more familiar gothic worlds. The clearest description is an action Metroidvania with Soulslike-adjacent combat, rather than a straightforward Soulslike. GameSpot describes its action-Metroidvania structure and parry-focused combat; PCGamesN also frames it as a blend of Metroidvania exploration and deflection-driven fighting.
Rank #3
- This is Korean Version released by SIEK. Region free title so you can play it on your system.
- Korean Edition supports Multi language Subtitles: English, German, Russian, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, Polish, French, Korean
Another Crab’s Treasure: familiar challenge in an underwater world
Another Crab’s Treasure brings demanding enemies, deliberate combat, and resource loss on death into a colorful underwater setting. Its tone is a departure from grim or gothic settings, while its challenge patterns remain recognizable to Soulslike players. Try it if you want that kind of demanding action with a lighter visual presentation. GameSpot highlights both its underwater world and its use of familiar conventions.
More options for specific combat preferences
If none of those variations is quite right, these games offer other recognizable departures. Their inclusion does not imply a universal difficulty ranking: how hard a game feels depends on the player and the systems they prefer.
Rank #4
- Enter the stadium and take part of one of the biggest competitions across 34 sports: from swimming, soccer, extreme bike, weightlifting, trampoline and much more!
- Defend your own country and visit the World: United States, Australia, Japan, France…
- Train yourself alone or compete with your friends!
- An enhanced version of “30 Sport Games in 1”, with revamped design, new games and more customisation!
- Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice emphasizes posture and deflection, making it a candidate if you want a faster, more timing-driven combat rhythm. PCGamesN discusses its combat system.
- Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty uses mission-based progression, which may suit you if you prefer distinct stages to an open world. PCGamesN notes this structure.
- Black Myth: Wukong and Thymesia are further varied interpretations covered in PCGamesN’s guide.
What should you play after Elden Ring?
Choose based on what you want to keep and what you want to change. For another focused, demanding action game, try Lies of P. For a different combat rhythm with firearms and co-op, try Remnant 2. If you want a smaller-scale 2D exploration format with deflection-heavy fights, consider Nine Sols—keeping in mind that it is a Metroidvania rather than a conventional 3D Soulsborne game.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
