Upon its release, Dark Souls quickly captured the attention of gamers worldwide, known for its grueling combat mechanics and meticulously crafted dark fantasy universe. Players were drawn in for various reasons—as part of the broad hype or simply as a personal challenge to conquer its formidable gameplay.
This phenomenon has given rise to an entire genre known as Souls-like games, which emulate the mechanics established by both Demon Souls and Dark Souls. Despite their similarities, many of these titles tend to offer a solitary experience. However, for those eager to share challenging adventures with friends against unyielding enemies, several co-op Souls-like games are worth exploring. Below, we highlight some of the best options available.
8. Salt & Sanctuary
A 2D Souls-like with Intense Combat
Salt & Sanctuary stands out for its commitment to 2D mechanics while drawing heavy inspiration from the challenges present in Dark Souls. Its punishing combat is only part of its charm. This title infuses its gameplay with deep RPG elements that ensure a distinctive identity, rather than merely serving as a 2D imitation of Dark Souls.
With over 600 different weapons, armor pieces, and spells, players can customize their character’s build extensively. The world of Salt & Sanctuary is non-linear and features interconnected areas, providing opportunities for exploration and challenging boss encounters. Although best played online via Steam Remote Play—lacking a fully integrated co-op system—it still offers a worthy companion experience.
7. The Last Oricru
An Unconventional, Choice-Driven Adventure
The Last Oricru offers a unique take on Souls-like gameplay, placing significant emphasis on player choices and their impactful consequences. In this semi-open-world environment, your decisions can drastically change how NPCs behave, influence available quests, and shift the outcomes of faction wars, all without the option to manually save and rewind your choices.
This title’s distinct charm includes a whimsical, voice-acted protagonist paired with an unconventional interface and absent quest markers, adding to its quirky allure. Moreover, it features a full drop-in and drop-out co-op system, allowing you and a friend to experience its bizarre, yet engaging setting collectively.
6. Hellpoint
A Sci-Fi Horror Journey
Set on a derelict space station, Hellpoint incorporates a blend of horror and sci-fi elements, alongside the familiar challenging combat known to Souls-like games. Its slightly clunky design can be charming, adding to the overall atmosphere.
The combat system allows for varied weapon usage while adhering closely to traditional Souls-like mechanics such as dodging, rolling, and parrying. What really sets this game apart is its black hole system, which influences enemy placement and interactions based on a cosmic cycle—resulting in unpredictable encounters during gameplay.
Thanks to seamless online co-op, players can navigate this engaging but treacherous universe together, enhancing the overall experience.
5. Ashen
A Minimalist Co-op Adventure
Ashen serves as a refreshing entry in the genre, designed to relieve the often overwhelming emotional strain that comes with traditional Souls-like games. Maintaining familiar elements while introducing unique gameplay features, it excels in stamina management and dodging strategies, making the experience methodical yet approachable.
Its open-world layout allows for exploration through diverse dungeons, the discovery of hidden secrets, and the rebuilding of settlements. While it lacks a vast upgrade or crafting system, it still encompasses these features meaningfully. In an exciting twist, players can either have random others drop into their game or invite friends for a dedicated co-op experience, striking a balance between interaction and individuality.
4. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
Dynamic Soulsborne Combat
Set in tumultuous eras, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty thrusts you into the role of an ordinary soldier confronting both human adversaries and formidable creatures. The game innovatively employs a deflection system—encouraging players not merely to dodge but to master the art of parrying attacks for invaluable counter opportunities.
This title also introduces a compelling morale system, where defeating foes quickly maintains your strength, while delays bolster their power. Featuring various weapon choices and combat styles, players can engage in fluid, fast-paced battles while upgrading gear through a mix of RPG mechanics. Though the co-op experience involves some limitations regarding mission starts, players can level up together and share challenges along the way.
3. Lords of the Fallen (2023)
Dual-World Exploration
Despite initial impressions that it follows the Dark Souls formula closely, Lords of the Fallen distinguishes itself through its two interwoven realities. Players will shift between these realms as they navigate challenges, solve puzzles, and confront adversaries throughout their journey.
Offering nine distinct classes and an extensive array of weapons and magic spells, the game also delivers a rewarding combat system that feels impactful and weighty. Significantly, it incorporates a drop-in and drop-out co-op feature, allowing players to collaborate seamlessly while progressing through the game.
2. Nioh 2
Fast-Paced Samurai Action
Nioh 2 is often seen as a fusion of the Dark Souls combat style with elements reminiscent of Ninja Gaiden. The fluid, fast-paced action coupled with a complex stance system makes this title a joy for those seeking depth in combat.
Boss engagements challenge players to master blocking, dodging, and countering for survival. Differentiating itself further is its loot-driven RPG progression system, allowing for extensive customization through intricate skill trees. However, new players may find the combat mechanics somewhat overwhelming, so bear that in mind while diving into this exhilarating challenge.
When it comes to co-op, Nioh 2 facilitates friend summoning or networking through a lobby system, ensuring that you can tackle missions as a cohesive unit.
1. Remnant 2
A Unique Twist on Traditional Gameplay
You might question how a Souls-like game equipped with firearms claims the top spot, but Remnant 2 brilliantly melds challenging Souls-like combat with procedural world generation, offering rich customization options for characters.
This title ensures that players experience a fresh adventure in every playthrough by randomly assembling bosses, dungeons, and quests from unique sets. Players must learn enemy attack patterns and timely dodging while exercising precision in their shots, much like traditional Souls-like mechanics.
Moreover, the game excels in offering extensive upgrades to equipment and enabling strategic class mixing, allowing for unique play styles—an essential feature in any co-op experience. With its seamless drop-in and drop-out functionality, Remnant 2 shapes itself around player collaboration, making it a standout choice in the genre. Dive into this adventure—you won’t regret it.
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