As an avid enthusiast of Soulslike games, I embrace the use of various weapon types in combat. Traditionally, the Soulslike genre has focused on melee weapons, with ranged options often limited to bows or spells. However, a fascinating evolution has occurred, with some games breaking the mold by integrating firearms into their combat systems.
Today, a noteworthy selection of my favorite Soulslike titles embraces gunplay. In fact, some of these games present even greater challenges than the classics that defined the genre, as mastering their unique gun mechanics can be quite demanding.
If you’re intrigued by the idea of combining firearms and traditional Soulslike gameplay, prepare to explore some surprising titles within this genre. While some choices may be more apparent to seasoned fans, there are plenty of hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
When discussing firearms, it’s essential to clarify what constitutes a gun. For my purposes, I will exclude larger artillery like cannons, meaning that titles such as Elden Ring, which feature no conventional firearms other than cannons, will not be included in this list.
10 Bloodborne
Guns Are Essential
FromSoftware, the creator of the Souls genre, has gifted us with exceptional gaming experiences, and Bloodborne is no exception. This title demands the strategic use of firearms to build an effective character, solidifying its place among the essential Soulslike experiences.
Often regarded as an underrated gem, Bloodborne holds a special spot in my heart. As much as I appreciate it, I hesitate to rank it too high on this list because of its developer’s established reputation. Nevertheless, I believe it stands apart from conventional Souls games while still deserving recognition.
Most player builds rely heavily on firearms, with its innovative parry system leveraging guns to expose enemy vulnerabilities. While these weapons may not inflict heavy damage, utilizing them effectively allows you to stagger formidable bosses, making them invaluable.
9 Kiborg
A Wealth of Firearms
Kiborg leans more towards a beat-em-up style of gameplay while still carrying the essence of a Soulslike. In this fast-paced adventure, players ascend a tower, battling numerous enemies along the way to regain their freedom.
The Soulslike elements manifest through challenging boss battles and a parry system, while a variety of firearms play a critical role in your survival. Personally, I found Kiborg to be an enjoyable experience, despite a few quirks. The engaging combat and diverse gunplay add depth to character builds and provide exhilarating moments.
8 Let It Die
Eccentric Firearms
Let It Die stands out as an eccentric entry within the Soulslike genre, featuring the whimsical Uncle Death who sends players on an adventure to ascend a mysterious tower.
This title is packed with quirky interactions, fast-paced action, and an assortment of firearms—ranging from unconventional welding guns and firework launchers to traditional options like shotguns and assault rifles.
If you’re in the mood for a game that embraces absurdity while delivering laughter, Let It Die is definitely worth a try.
7 Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn
Your Trusty Sidearm
Although I initially overlooked Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, I recently revisited it and was pleasantly surprised by its exploration and combat mechanics. Central to the gameplay is a sidearm that you seamlessly integrate into your attack sequences.
The game features two primary firearms: your reliable sidearm and a precision rifle for longer-range encounters. Primarily, players will find themselves combining sidearm shots to stun foes and reload their weapons, while the rifle serves useful for picking off enemies from a distance.
While it may not top every list, Flintlock offers a unique world and combat rhythm that feels refreshing compared to typical hack-and-slash experiences.
6 Stellar Blade
The Arm Cannon Adventure
For those seeking a sci-fi adventure with exhilarating gameplay, Stellar Blade delivers a captivating experience while incorporating Soulslike elements within a fast-paced, post-apocalyptic landscape.
The game’s rapid combat style diverges from traditional Soulslike mechanics, yet proves to be immensely enjoyable once mastered. Players can wield a variety of weapons, including a rifle, shotgun, and missile launcher, though gunplay tends to take a backseat in many encounters.
Despite its secondary role, the option to engage in firearm combat is available for those who wish to explore that avenue.
5 Remnant: From the Ashes
A “Dark Souls”with Firearms
For those in search of exceptional gunplay, look no further than Remnant: From the Ashes.This title has rightfully earned the moniker “Dark Souls with guns, ” seamlessly blending third-person shooting mechanics with challenging action-adventure gameplay.
With its punishing combat, treacherous world, and formidable bosses, players will find themselves on constant alert as they explore richly detailed post-apocalyptic environments and uncover an engrossing narrative.
If you’re a fans of Soulslike experiences, Remnant is absolutely worth exploring—even if shooting games aren’t typically your forte.
4 Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
The Pew-Pew Factor
For Star Wars fans, one of the standout franchise titles in recent years is Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, the sequel to Fallen Order. While lightsabers take center stage, gunplay also holds significance in this captivating adventure.
The game introduces a combat mechanic called Blaster Stance, allowing players to utilize blasters while engaging enemies with their lightsaber. This innovative fighting style sets it apart from other Star Wars titles, enhancing the ‘lone survivor’ narrative.
Though experiencing Fallen Order first is advisable, both games offer worthwhile adventures.
3 Remnant 2
The Enhanced Sequel
Now that I’ve covered the original, let’s turn our attention to Remnant 2. While much of the foundation remains consistent with its predecessor, this sequel enhances nearly every aspect.
Gunplay is crisp and refined, with an expansive world that evolves depending on your playthrough. The developers have significantly built upon the class system established in the first game, resulting in a richer experience overall.
Remnant 2 improves upon everything its predecessor achieved, making it a must-try for those who enjoyed the first title and seek an expanded arsenal.
2 Code Vein
The Anime “Dark Souls”
For fans of anime-style action games, Code Vein stands out due to its compelling blend of Soulslike mechanics and exploration. Despite my usual detachment from anime titles, this game caught my attention.
With a death and respawn system reminiscent of Dark Souls, along with challenging foes and demanding boss encounters, Code Vein delivers a familiar yet engaging experience for genre enthusiasts.
One unique feature allows players to wield bayonet rifles, enabling both melee and ranged tactics, adding an intriguing layer to combat dynamics. I believe this game deserves more recognition for its quality, and many fans of the genre are likely to enjoy it.
1 Lies of P
A Dark Twist on Pinocchio
Finally, we arrive at Lies of P, which stretches my definition of firearms from earlier. This title does not feature traditional firearms but includes a variety of guns concealed within its Legion Arms mechanics.
The initial game introduced a rifle arm called Falcon Eyes for engaging adversaries from afar, complemented by a Flamethrower arm. Following the Overture DLC release, players can now equip a shotgun arm known as Cataclysm.
Some of my favorite aspects in Lies of P revolve around the firearm mechanics, which is why it occupies such a high position on this list. Its remarkable dedication to the Soulslike genre, coupled with an imaginative narrative inspired by Pinocchio and an exquisitely crafted world from an indie studio rivaling FromSoftware’s standards, solidifies its place as a standout title.
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