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Dark Souls III is the best next game for most Elden Ring players who want the closest return to FromSoftware’s deliberate combat, dangerous exploration and memorable boss encounters. Choose Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice if you want a more timing-centered action game. Consider Lies of P or Nioh 2 when you want a third-party Soulslike, but verify current platforms and editions before buying because availability was not established in the available source material.
What makes Elden Ring a difficult game to replace?
Elden Ring combines several features that are often separated in other action RPGs. Bandai Namco’s official description presents it as a fantasy action RPG built around connected landscapes and dungeons, with meaningful choices in exploration, combat, weapons, magic and character development. It is not only a sequence of difficult fights; it is also a large world in which you decide where to go, how to approach an encounter and how to shape a build.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Dark Souls 3 The Fire Fades (PS4) | $24.40 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Dark Souls III: The Fire Fades Edition - PlayStation 4 | $21.88 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Dark Souls Trilogy (PS4) | $38.80 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Dark Souls III: The Fire Fades Edition - Xbox One | $24.80 | Buy on Amazon |
That combination matters when you search for “games like Elden Ring.” A game can share demanding combat and still feel very different if it is linear. Another can offer interesting character choices but lack the same boss-focused rhythm. The useful question is therefore not simply “Which game is the same?” It is “Which part of Elden Ring do I want to repeat?”
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If you want FromSoftware’s combat and bosses
Start with Dark Souls III. FromSoftware’s catalogue describes the Dark Souls series through tense dungeon exploration, dangerous enemies, discovery and the satisfaction of overcoming difficult situations. Bandai Namco’s Souls-focused editorial material also emphasizes precise timing and evasion, memorable bosses, and exploration that rewards attention to environments and enemy behavior.
#1 Best Overall
- Atmospheric Visuals: Dynamic lighting and particle effects immerse players into a dark fantasy world of ruin.
- Interconnected World: Expertly crafted world encourages players to explore vast and breath-taking landscapes.
- Sword Action: Diversifies combat action allowing players to craft their own unique play style.
- Unique Online System: Evolution of trademark online multiplayer functionality that seamlessly integrates online interactions into single-player story.
Dark Souls III is the closest recommendation in this guide because it continues that combat and boss tradition under the same developer. The important qualification is structural: it is more area-based and directed than Elden Ring’s open world. You should expect connected zones and deliberate progression rather than a vast landscape that lets you routinely bypass a challenge and return later from another direction. That is an editorial comparison based on the series descriptions, not a direct publisher claim that the two games are equivalent.
If you want more emphasis on timing
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a choice for players willing to learn a different rhythm. It is commonly grouped with Soulslikes, but that label does not make it an Elden Ring clone. Use this recommendation when the part you enjoyed most was reading an opponent, reacting at the right moment and treating a boss as a pattern to understand rather than relying primarily on a flexible build.
The available source material does not independently document Sekiro’s detailed systems, world layout or platform editions, so this is intentionally a light recommendation rather than a specification-by-specification comparison. Check the game’s current official page for the version available on your system.
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Lies of P and Nioh 2 are examples commonly placed under the Soulslike label in secondary genre coverage. They are useful starting points when you have already played FromSoftware’s catalogue and want a different developer’s interpretation of difficult action RPG design.
Do not treat the genre label as a promise about world structure, combat or progression. The available evidence establishes these games as examples in a genre overview, but it does not establish current editions, platform availability or an official comparison with Elden Ring. Before purchasing, check the publisher or platform store for your region and the exact edition you intend to use.
Rank #2
- The Complete Dark Souls III Experience All on One Disc: Includes the award-winning base game, PLUS both complete DLC expansion chapters: Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City.
- Intense Combat Action: Challenging, genre-defining gameplay. Diversified combat action allows players to craft their own unique style.
- Team up for some jolly good cooperation or test your ability in PvP battle: All PvP maps unlocked and accessible. Improved online matchmaking functionality.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Content Description: Blood and gore, violence
How the main options differ
The table separates what is supported by the available descriptions from what remains an editorial fit. “Not stated” means the relevant detail was not established in the source material used for this guide; it is not a claim that the game lacks the feature.
| Game | Best for | Combat emphasis | World structure | Build and weapon flexibility | Boss information established here | Platform or edition information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Souls III | The closest FromSoftware continuation | Deliberate timing, evasion and dangerous encounters, consistent with the Souls-series descriptions | More structured and area-based than Elden Ring; not an open-world format | Not stated in the available source material | Memorable boss encounters are a defining part of the Souls-series description; a title-specific count or difficulty rating is not stated | Not stated; verify the current version for your platform and region |
| Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice | Players seeking a more timing-centered action experience | Presented here as more timing-focused than Elden Ring; detailed mechanics are not established in the available sources | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated in the available source material | Not stated; check the official listing for your region |
| Lies of P | A third-party Soulslike interpretation | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated; verify current platform and edition information |
| Nioh 2 | Another third-party Soulslike option | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated; verify current platform and edition information |
What to expect if you move from Elden Ring to Dark Souls III
A more directed route through the world
Elden Ring’s connected landscapes let you treat exploration as a major part of progression. Dark Souls III keeps the series’ emphasis on discovery and environmental attention, but the recommendation is best understood as a more directed, area-based journey. You will be choosing how to handle encounters inside a structured route rather than using an open-world map as a large set of alternative paths.
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The same kind of deliberate decision-making
Souls-series combat is described around precise timing and evasion. That makes every approach matter: observe an enemy, recognize its behavior, decide when to attack and preserve the opportunity to evade. The appeal is not only the difficulty. It is the feedback loop in which learning an enemy and paying attention to the environment produces a sense of accomplishment.
A stronger focus on individual encounters
For many players, the reason to choose Dark Souls III after Elden Ring is the concentration of the experience. Elden Ring can distribute its memorable moments across a huge world. A more structured Souls game places more of your attention on the next area, the enemies guarding it and the boss that tests what you have learned. If your favorite Elden Ring memories involve preparing for, studying and finally defeating a major boss, this is the most direct follow-up.
Why “Soulslike” is not a complete buying guide
Soulslike is a useful descriptive category, not a guarantee of matching design. Secondary genre overviews commonly include Sekiro, Lies of P and Nioh 2, yet games placed under that umbrella can differ in their combat priorities, progression, level design and character systems.
Rank #3
- DARK SOULS REMASTERED - Then, there was fire. Re-experience the genre-defining game that started it all. Return to Lordran in the beautifully remastered game in high definition, 60 fps with single-player or online multiplayer with dedicated servers. Includes the Artorias of the Abyss DLC.
- DARK SOULS II: SCHOLAR OF THE FIRST SIN - Prepare to Die again. The second installment of the series includes the base Dark Souls II plus all three DLCs: Crown of the Sunken King, Crown of the Old Iron King, and Crown of the Ivory King.
- DARK SOULS III: THE FIRE FADES - Now only embers remain… Dark Souls III is the final journey in the series where players can fight through intense combat solo or team up for in co-op or PvP multiplayer. Includes the award-winning game and both DLC chapters: Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City.
- ALL ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACKS - Visit the EP!C corner to download the music of the Dark Souls saga composed by Motoi Sakaraba and Yuka Kitamura. 110 tracks and more than 6 hours to listen and take back any Dark Souls fan to the intense boss fights and the best moments of their deadly journeys.
- Combat can vary: one game may prioritize deliberate evasion and stamina-style exchanges, while another may demand more exact timing or deflection-like reactions.
- World structure can vary: a Soulslike may use an open world, interconnected areas or a mostly linear sequence.
- Build freedom can vary: Elden Ring makes weapons, magic and character choices central to its identity, but the available evidence does not establish equivalent flexibility in every recommendation.
- Boss density can vary: a game may emphasize frequent major encounters, optional challenges or longer stretches of exploration. No title-by-title boss counts or difficulty measurements were verified here.
Use the label to create a shortlist, then use the specific features you value to make the final choice.
Platform, edition and multiplayer checks
Bandai Namco’s launch announcement states that Elden Ring released on February 25, 2022 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC via Steam. The announcement also describes cooperative and competitive multiplayer. Those details apply to Elden Ring’s launch announcement and should not be assumed for another recommendation.
Current platform support, physical editions, regional listings and stock were not established for Dark Souls III, Sekiro, Lies of P or Nioh 2 in the available material. Before buying, confirm all of the following on the publisher or platform store serving your country:
- The exact platform generation and operating system supported.
- Whether the listing is the base game, a bundle, a remaster or downloadable-content edition.
- Whether multiplayer features require an online subscription on your console.
- Whether your preferred edition is available in your region and in your desired format.
This check is especially important when moving between console generations or choosing a PC version. A game’s inclusion in a Soulslike list does not establish that a particular store listing is currently sold or compatible with your hardware.
A practical decision path
- Write down your favorite Elden Ring activity. Choose one primary answer: exploring a connected fantasy world, solving enemy patterns, fighting bosses, experimenting with weapons and magic, or changing your build to overcome a problem.
- Decide whether an open world is essential. If it is, none of the recommendations in the available evidence is confirmed here as an equivalent open-world replacement. If it is not, Dark Souls III becomes the strongest first test.
- Choose your combat tolerance. For deliberate evasion and the established Souls-series tradition, select Dark Souls III. For a different, more timing-centered action experience, consider Sekiro.
- Decide whether you want the same developer. Dark Souls III offers the clearest FromSoftware continuation. Lies of P and Nioh 2 are third-party alternatives, but their exact similarities and current availability require separate verification.
- Verify the purchase details last. Check the current regional store page, platform, edition and multiplayer requirements before paying. Do not infer those details from Elden Ring’s launch platforms.
Common mistakes when choosing a follow-up
Picking by difficulty alone
“Hard” is too broad a filter. The Souls-series descriptions connect the appeal to exploration, enemy behavior, precise timing and discovery, not simply to an intimidating difficulty label. A game can be challenging while failing to provide the specific exploration or boss-learning loop you enjoyed.
Rank #4
- The Complete Dark Souls III Experience All on One Disc: Includes the award-winning base game, PLUS both complete DLC expansion chapters: Ashes of Ariandel and The Ringed City.
- Intense Combat Action: Challenging, genre-defining gameplay. Diversified combat action allows players to craft their own unique style.
- Team up for some jolly good cooperation or test your ability in PvP battle: All PvP maps unlocked and accessible. Improved online matchmaking functionality.
Expecting the same world scale
Elden Ring’s connected landscapes and dungeons are a central part of its identity. Dark Souls III is recommended for its combat and boss tradition, not because it reproduces that open-world structure. Treat the change in scale as part of the choice.
Assuming every Soulslike has the same build system
Elden Ring explicitly highlights choices involving weapons, magic and character development. The available evidence does not establish that Sekiro, Lies of P or Nioh 2 offer the same range or presentation of build options. If experimentation is your deciding factor, verify each game’s official feature list before committing.
Buying without checking the edition
Platform and edition information can change by region and storefront. The only launch-platform details established here are for Elden Ring. Treat every other listing as something to verify rather than as an assumption based on genre or reputation.
Recommended order for different players
For the closest overall follow-up
Play Dark Souls III first. It is the clearest match for FromSoftware’s combat language, tense exploration and boss-focused sense of accomplishment, while giving you a more structured alternative to Elden Ring’s open world.
For a deliberate change in combat
Play Sekiro next if you want the challenge to come from a more timing-centered action experience. Go in expecting a different game rather than a smaller Elden Ring.
For a broader genre tour
Use Lies of P and Nioh 2 as your next checks after confirming their current platform and edition details. Their value here is that they represent third-party interpretations of the Soulslike category, not that the available evidence proves they reproduce Elden Ring’s world, build or combat systems.
The short answer
If someone asks, “What should I play after Elden Ring?” the most reliable answer from the established features is Dark Souls III. It preserves the FromSoftware lineage, deliberate combat, dangerous exploration and memorable boss tradition while intentionally moving away from Elden Ring’s open-world structure. Sekiro is the better choice for a timing-focused change, and Lies of P or Nioh 2 are reasonable third-party possibilities once you verify their current store information.
Quick Recap
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