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Short answer: If you want both punishing, learn-the-boss combat and meaningful freedom to leave a fight and explore, start with Nioh 3, then consider Mortal Shell II or Lords of the Fallen. Nioh 3 is the strongest 2026 match for open-field exploration, switchable Samurai and Ninja combat, loot and optional bosses. Mortal Shell II offers a deliberately compact interconnected world and stamina-free combat. Lords of the Fallen (2023) is the older, larger-scale choice, built around shifting between the living Axiom and the dead Umbral.
No alternative reproduces every part of Elden Ring. If combat matters more than free roaming, choose Dark Souls III, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice or Lies of P. If the map matters more than Souls mechanics, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is the better fit—but it is an action RPG, not a soulslike.
Why is Elden Ring so difficult to replace?
Elden Ring combines two design ideas that rarely appear together: the exacting stamina, timing and build-based combat of a Souls game, and a huge world that lets you ride away from a boss, find another route, upgrade, and return later. Bandai Namco Entertainment and FromSoftware describe it this way: “ELDEN RING is an action RPG title set in an authentic dark fantasy world. Players can enjoy a high level of freedom in exploring vast open areas and dungeons, uncovering secrets and facing formidable hardships to attain a deep sense of accomplishment.”
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThat freedom is the defining feature. GameSpot wrote in January 2026 that “It’s that open world that really sets Elden Ring apart from both From Software’s other franchises, and most games in general.” PCGamesN, quoting Jordan Forward’s review, said the game “makes a mockery of words like ‘epic’ and ‘awesome.’” The result is a category leader rather than a template that other games can copy wholesale.
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Bandai Namco Entertainment and FromSoftware reported over 30 million units shipped for Elden Ring as of March 2025. Shadow of the Erdtree had shipped over 10 million units worldwide by July 2025; it requires the base game and progress to a specified point before its area becomes available. Typical editorial estimates put the main story at roughly 50–70 hours and a heavily exploratory run at 100 hours or more, although route, build and player skill change that dramatically.
The recommendations below therefore separate the two pillars instead of pretending there is one perfect substitute.
Which games come closest to open-world Soulslike combat?
| Game | World structure | Combat language | Build freedom | Difficulty flexibility | Co-op | Platforms (current listings) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nioh 3 | Four large open-field maps with points of interest, secrets and optional challenges | Fast stance-and-loot combat; switchable Samurai and Ninja styles | Very high: weapons, gear, skills and farming | Build optimization and co-op provide help; no Spirit Ash equivalent is central | Expedition co-op in the open fields | PlayStation 5, Windows; no Xbox launch version confirmed |
| Mortal Shell II | Compact, interconnected open world linked by winding paths; more than 60 dungeons | Stamina-free attacks; break posture and land critical strikes | Shell-based identity and tactics rather than Elden Ring’s enormous catalogue | Compact world and tactical options reduce repetition; still demanding | No central co-op feature was stated in launch materials | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Steam |
| Lords of the Fallen (2023) | Large interconnected regions layered across Axiom and Umbral | Traditional stamina, dodging, blocking and weapon scaling, plus realm shifting | Many weapons, spells and archetypes | Build variety and co-op help; Umbral risks create extra pressure | Shared campaign co-op; later updates added a Free Friend’s Pass under stated conditions | PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series |
| Dragon’s Dogma 2 | Open world with roads, settlements and wilderness; less densely packed than the Lands Between | Action combat with climbing monsters and vocation skills | Vocations and equipment; not Souls-style stat planning | Party pawns and vocation choice make it more forgiving | Single-player with AI pawns | PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series |
| Dark Souls III | Interconnected but essentially linear zones, not open world | The closest classic FromSoftware stamina-and-roll combat | Weapons, spells, infusions and respec options | Summons and build variety; progression is less flexible than Elden Ring | Traditional summon-based multiplayer | PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One; playable on current consoles by compatibility |
| Sekiro | Connected areas with shortcuts, vertical routes and gated progression | Posture, deflects, deathblows, stealth and precise movement | One prescribed shinobi style; no conventional builds or summons | Very low flexibility: you must learn deflection timing | Solo | PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One |
| Lies of P | Authored, linear Belle Époque city and surrounding routes | Parry-and-assemble system with weapon combinations and Legion Arms | Good weapon and skill customization, but less open-ended than Elden Ring | Build choices and accessibility updates help; mostly solo | Solo | PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series; a Switch 2 listing was reported by one retailer |
| Remnant II | Procedurally arranged zones and dungeons rather than one seamless world | Third-person gunplay with Soulslike checkpoints, bosses and builds | Archetypes, weapons and traits | Three-player co-op is a major safety net | Three-player online co-op | PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series |
Is Nioh 3 the best open-world Soulslike after Elden Ring?
For most players who want combat depth and open exploration together, yes. Nioh 3 released on 6 February 2026 for PlayStation 5 and Windows, moving the series away from Nioh 2’s mission-list structure into larger explorable fields. The game divides its open world into four maps, each containing points of interest, secret treasures, mini-bosses and optional challenges. Progress from the launch demo carries into the full game.
The defining change is the ability to switch between two complete combat approaches. The PlayStation Blog, quoted by IGN, says that “as the battles unfold, players will now be able to fight using two distinct combat styles: Samurai and Ninja.” Samurai emphasizes deliberate melee exchanges and stance control; Ninja adds faster movement, ranged tools and a different rhythm. You can change styles rather than committing to one class for an entire playthrough.
Nioh still feels faster and more loot-heavy than Elden Ring. Gear drops frequently, equipment has layers of bonuses, and mastery comes from understanding stances, Ki management, active skills and enemy weaknesses. That makes it an excellent choice if you enjoyed Elden Ring’s build experimentation but wanted more technical combat and a reason to keep improving equipment. It is less suitable if you prefer Elden Ring’s clean, readable inventory and restrained loot system.
IGN’s review scored Nioh 3 9/10 (Amazing) and stated: “Nioh 3 delivers best-in-class combat that revitalizes the established formula with a fantastic split between Samurai and Ninja styles, as well as a triumphant move to an open-world structure.” The same review called it “the best of the trilogy,” while noting that the open-world move is not perfect and that some map issues are outweighed by exploration, landscapes and optional bosses. PCGamesN’s February 2026 ranking placed it second among soulslikes and described the four-map structure, but also judged the world less carefully constructed than the Lands Between.
Launch interest was substantial: IGN cited more than 54,400 concurrent Steam players a few hours after release, while a Wikipedia summary reported 88,045 during launch week and more than one million copies sold by 20 February 2026. Treat the latter figures as secondary reporting rather than a Koei Tecmo financial release. IGN listed the PS5 Standard and SteelBook Launch editions at a $69.99 list price around launch; later sale snapshots are not live prices.
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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 & 11Choose Nioh 3 if: you want the deepest combat, gear farming, optional bosses, open fields and online Expedition co-op. Skip it if: you want a slow, minimalist Souls system, an Xbox version at launch, or a world as seamlessly interwoven as the Lands Between.
What is Mortal Shell II like for Elden Ring players?
Mortal Shell II is the compact-world alternative. Playstack describes it as “an immersive, interconnected open world, expansive yet deliberately compact, designed to unfold its twisted landscapes and hidden structures while respecting the player’s time.” It launches on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series and Steam on 20 August 2026.
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The world connects landmarks with winding footpaths guarded by hostile factions, with more than 60 dungeons between major locations. It aims to preserve the feeling of choosing your route without asking you to cross a map as large as Elden Ring’s. That is useful if you loved discovering shortcuts and hidden structures but found Elden Ring’s scale exhausting.
Its largest mechanical departure is the removal of stamina restrictions. Playstack says combat is “Unrestricted by stamina,” with players exploiting multiple tactics to shatter enemy posture and deliver critical strikes. This is not simply easier Souls combat: without stamina, attacks, movement and defensive decisions are balanced around enemy patterns, posture breaks and positioning. Soulslike Wiki presents the stamina-free system as a deliberate break from convention.
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Mortal Shell II’s digital edition was announced at $49.99 / £44.99 / €49.99. A $59.99 Devout Edition includes up to 72 hours of early access and Obsidian skins for eight Shells. A physical PS5 Revered Edition includes a SteelBook, art book, fine-art prints and collector’s box. A September 2026 storefront snapshot put the game at $49.99 on Steam and reported an OpenCritic average around 83; prices and averages can change.
Choose it if: you want a shorter, denser open world and are curious about stamina-free posture combat. Do not choose it expecting: Elden Ring’s summons, sprawling spell catalogue or identical combat timing.
Does Lords of the Fallen offer an Elden Ring-sized world?
Lords of the Fallen (2023) is the best older pick for large-scale, connected exploration. Developed by HEXWORKS and CI Games, it builds its identity around two overlapping realms. Axiom is the living world; Umbral is a dead reflection that can reveal paths, enemies and secrets. You use a lantern to peer into Umbral and, in specific situations, cross between realms.
The design reaches for Elden Ring’s feeling of getting lost in a dark fantasy landscape, although it is more structured and considerably shorter. Eneba’s editorial estimate places a typical run at 25–35 hours. The central appeal is not raw map size but the way each area changes when you inspect its Umbral counterpart. A bridge, ladder or door that does not exist in Axiom may appear in Umbral, while lingering there increases danger.
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Combat uses familiar Souls fundamentals: stamina, dodging, blocking, weapon scaling, spells and archetype choices. The Umbral system adds pressure because death and resurrection interact with the second realm. Build variety is broad enough for strength, agility, magic and hybrid characters, and later updates improved co-op with shared progression under defined conditions. Version 2.0 added a Free Friend’s Pass, so a friend can join under the update’s rules without both players buying the full game.
It is available on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series. A dated 28 October 2026 retail scrape listed the PS5 Standard Edition at $17.99; that is a historical snapshot, not a guaranteed current price.
Choose Lords of the Fallen if: you want interconnected dark-fantasy environments, realm-switching puzzles and campaign co-op. Expect trade-offs: the combat and performance history are less consistently polished than FromSoftware’s best work, and the world is not a seamless open field.
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Is Dragon’s Dogma 2 a soulslike alternative?
No—but it is the strongest recommendation for players who loved Elden Ring’s freedom more than its bonfire-and-stamina rules. Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a 2024 open-world action RPG for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series. Its world is built around travel, settlements, monsters and emergent encounters rather than repeated corpse runs.
The combat has its own appeal: vocations provide distinct weapon styles, characters can climb large monsters, and AI-controlled pawns form a temporary party. The open world is less densely packed with secrets than the Lands Between, but the party system creates situations Elden Ring does not: pawns can distract a monster, provide healing or help exploit a weakness.
Choose Dragon’s Dogma 2 when your priority order is exploration, party play and spectacular monster fights. Do not buy it expecting Souls-style stamina management, invaders, stat scaling or boss attempts built around a fixed arena lesson.
Which FromSoftware games should I play after Elden Ring?
Dark Souls III: the closest combat language
Dark Souls III, released on 24 March 2016, is the most direct bridge from Elden Ring to classic FromSoftware design. It has stamina-based attacks, dodge rolls, shields, weapon scaling, infusions, spells and summonable allies. The world is interconnected but substantially more linear, so you lose the ability to leave almost any boss and roam for hours.
Its bosses and downloadable expansions are the reason to buy the complete or Fire Fades edition when available. A September 2026 Steam storefront snapshot recorded 278,102 recommendations and a $59.99 list price; those figures are dated. If Elden Ring was your first FromSoftware game, Dark Souls III is generally a friendlier next step than Sekiro because your build and summon choices can compensate for mistakes.
Sekiro: the pure combat exam
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, released on 22 March 2019 for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, replaces most RPG build decisions with one highly tuned shinobi. You break enemy posture by deflecting attacks, then perform deathblows. Stealth, grappling and vertical movement are integral, not optional extras.
Many players find Sekiro harder than Elden Ring because there are no Spirit Ashes, conventional summons or radically different builds to bypass the central lesson. Once deflection timing clicks, its combat can feel more consistent than a large RPG’s many systems. GameSpot’s description emphasizes posture, deathblows, Sengoku-era setting, stealth and platforming; PCGamesN quoted Richard Scott-Jones calling it “a privilege to play Sekiro.”
Pick Sekiro if you want to master parries rather than assemble a character. A September 2026 Steam snapshot listed 259,653 recommendations for the GOTY edition.
Bloodborne: aggressive gothic combat on PlayStation
Bloodborne remains a PlayStation 4 title, playable on current PlayStation hardware through backward compatibility. It has no official PC release in currently published listings, and no announced remaster should be assumed. Its rally system rewards attacking immediately after taking damage, while trick weapons transform between two forms and Yharnam’s streets create a dense, gothic maze.
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It is more aggressive and less build-flexible than Elden Ring, with a 30fps presentation that remains a known limitation. Choose it for atmosphere, close-range pressure and distinctive weapons—not for open-world scale.
What is the best non-FromSoftware soulslike?
Lies of P is the safest answer for a traditional, authored soulslike made outside FromSoftware. Round8 Studio and NEOWIZ released it in September 2023 for PC, PlayStation and Xbox. It reimagines Pinocchio in Belle Époque Krat and combines parrying, weapon assembly and Legion Arms with a tightly directed route through the city.
The game is linear, so do not present it as an open-world Elden Ring substitute. Its strengths are encounter design, readable progression, weapon combinations and story pacing. A weapon’s blade and handle can be mixed, letting you tune reach, damage type and moveset. Legion Arms add specialized tools without turning the character into a spell-slinging sandbox.
EverythingEdinburgh calls it “the best soulslike not made by FromSoftware,” while PCGamesN’s Lauren Bergin described it as a “clockwork adventure” with more to offer than “Bloodborne at home.” Eneba estimates roughly 30–35 hours for a standard run. A 21 September 2026 sale snapshot showed $29.99 on Steam, and a 28 October 2026 retail scrape listed the PS5 edition at $38.99; neither is a guaranteed current price.
Choose Lies of P if: you want parry-focused bosses, a coherent story and a polished linear journey. Choose something else if: leaving a boss, wandering off-road or summoning a full party is central to what you loved.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Are Black Myth: Wukong, Nioh 2 and other 2025–2026 games worth considering?
Black Myth: Wukong
Black Myth: Wukong launched on 20 August 2024 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series and PC. It is a mostly linear action game inspired by Journey to the West, with versatile staff combat, transformations and large spectacle. GameSpot does not classify it as fully open world. PCGamesN’s Nat Smith called it a “GOTY contender of epic proportions” that “looks to iterate upon FromSoftware’s legacy rather than use it as a crutch.”
It belongs on a shortlist for cinematic boss fights, not as the best open-world soulslike. Its GPU demands also make it a poor default recommendation for low-end PCs.
Nioh 2
Nioh 2 remains the value choice when Nioh 3 is too expensive or you do not own a PS5 or compatible PC. It uses a mission-based structure rather than open fields, but its stance switching, loot, Yokai abilities and build depth are substantial. A September 2026 snapshot listed Nioh 2 Complete at $19.99, 60% below a $49.99 reference price. Buy the Complete edition on sale if you are new to the series; move to Nioh 3 if you have already exhausted Nioh 2.
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Wuchang: Fallen Feathers
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers released on 24 July 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series and PC. It received strong praise from some reviewers, but reports also documented performance issues, a censorship patch and emergency post-launch updates. A September 2026 Steam snapshot was mixed at about 57%, with a $34.99 sale price. Treat it as a potentially interesting pick rather than an automatic number-one recommendation.
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The First Berserker: Khazan
The First Berserker: Khazan launched on 27 March 2025. Its identity is parry-and-rage combat, making it more relevant to Sekiro or Lies of P fans than to players seeking a seamless open world. A September 2026 snapshot listed it at $59.99 and recorded 21,092 Steam recommendations.
Remnant II
Remnant II is the “gun Soulslike” option. Its worlds and dungeons are procedurally arranged, its combat is third-person shooting with dodge and build management, and three-player co-op is a core feature. It does not replicate Elden Ring’s horseback exploration, but it is one of the best choices when your priority is learning bosses with friends.
Hollow Knight and other frequently listed names
Hollow Knight is a 2D Metroidvania with Soulslike difficulty, not an open-world Soulslike. The Witcher 3, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Ghost of Yōtei and Rise of the Ronin can satisfy an open-world-combat craving, but none uses Elden Ring’s Souls framework. Keep those distinctions clear when choosing.
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No. Elden Ring Nightreign is a standalone co-op action-survival spin-off with session-based structure, selected heroes and runs designed for up to three players. It inherits elements from Elden Ring while changing the pacing and objectives; it is not a replacement for the solitary, open-world RPG.
The publisher’s product information gives a 30 May 2025 release date on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One with Smart Delivery and Steam. Single-player is supported, but the design is built around co-op sessions. Bandai Namco Entertainment and FromSoftware reported over 5 million units shipped worldwide as of July 2025. The same release lists it as a co-op action survival game, not a sequel. The Forsaken Hollows DLC was listed as available on consoles and PC from 17 December 2025.
The standard edition was announced at $39.99, the digital Deluxe Edition at $54.99 and the Collector’s Edition at $199.99 with an approximately 25cm Wylder Nightfarer statue. A September 2026 Steam snapshot recorded 129,581 recommendations. Buy Nightreign when friends will reliably join three-player sessions; buy Elden Ring or one of the recommendations above when you want a continuous world and build-driven solo journey.
How should beginners choose their first game after Elden Ring?
- If Elden Ring was your first FromSoftware game: start with Dark Souls III for familiar stamina combat and summon options, or Lies of P for a polished non-FromSoftware version.
- If you want the open world first: choose Nioh 3, Mortal Shell II or Lords of the Fallen. Pick Dragon’s Dogma 2 if you want a party and less punitive progression.
- If you want parries: choose Sekiro for a single exacting style, then Lies of P or The First Berserker: Khazan for more equipment variation.
- If you want loot and build experimentation: choose Nioh 3 or Nioh 2 Complete.
- If you want co-op: choose Nightreign for sessions, Lords of the Fallen for a shared campaign, Remnant II for three-player shooting, or Nioh 3 for Expedition play.
- If you have a low-end PC: Dark Souls III, Lies of P and Sekiro are safer starting points than Black Myth: Wukong. Check each game’s current system requirements before buying.
- If you still have not played Elden Ring: play the base game first, then Shadow of the Erdtree. It remains the strongest open-world Soulslike package in 2026 coverage.
What should you buy on each platform?
- PlayStation 5: every major option in this guide is available except that Bloodborne remains a PS4 game played through backward compatibility. Nioh 3, Mortal Shell II, Lords of the Fallen, Lies of P, Wukong and Dragon’s Dogma 2 are the clearest current-generation choices.
- Xbox Series: Mortal Shell II, Lords of the Fallen, Lies of P, Wukong, Dragon’s Dogma 2, Remnant II and Nightreign are available. Nioh 3 had no Xbox launch version confirmed in available launch listings.
- Windows PC: Nioh 3, Mortal Shell II, Lords of the Fallen, Lies of P, Sekiro, Dark Souls III, Wukong, Remnant II and Dragon’s Dogma 2 are options. Hardware requirements vary significantly; Wukong is the riskiest low-end choice.
- PlayStation 4 or Xbox One: Dark Souls III, Sekiro, Bloodborne on PlayStation and Nightreign on both console generations remain relevant. Newer recommendations generally require current-generation hardware.
What is the final recommendation?
Choose Nioh 3 when you want the closest current combination of open fields, demanding combat, build depth and optional exploration. Choose Mortal Shell II for a compact world and stamina-free posture battles, or Lords of the Fallen for dual-realm dark-fantasy exploration and campaign co-op. Choose Dark Souls III or Sekiro when combat matters more than an open map, and Lies of P when you want the best traditional non-FromSoftware soulslike. Choose Dragon’s Dogma 2 only when what you really miss is the freedom to travel with a party and improvise against large monsters.
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Can I play Nioh 3 without finishing Nioh 1 or Nioh 2?
Yes. Nioh 3 is the open-field entry and does not require a previous save. Earlier games explain the series’ loot and stance vocabulary, but newcomers can learn those systems directly in Nioh 3; the launch demo also transfers progress to the full game.
Which Elden Ring alternative has the shortest campaign?
Lords of the Fallen is commonly estimated at about 25–35 hours for a typical run, while Lies of P is estimated at roughly 30–35 hours. Those are editorial estimates, not fixed completion times; optional quests, exploration and repeated bosses can extend either game.
Is there a true open-world soulslike on Xbox Series?
Mortal Shell II and Lords of the Fallen are the clearest matches on Xbox Series, with Dragon’s Dogma 2 as a non-soulslike open-world option. Nioh 3’s launch platforms were PlayStation 5 and Windows, so do not assume an Xbox edition without checking a current listing.
Does Shadow of the Erdtree work if I only own the Elden Ring DLC?
No. Shadow of the Erdtree requires the Elden Ring base game, and the character must reach the required progression point before entering the expansion. Buying the add-on alone does not create a standalone game.
What should I play if I want Elden Ring-style exploration but dislike repeated deaths?
Dragon’s Dogma 2 offers open travel, AI pawns and vocation choices without Souls-style corpse runs. You can also make Elden Ring itself more forgiving through Spirit Ashes, player summons, respecs and leaving difficult bosses until later.
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