It is remarkable how FromSoftware’s Demon’s Souls, released in 2009, set the foundation for a new genre that has captivated gamers worldwide. This title paved the way for the immensely popular Dark Souls, which arrived in 2011 and reshaped the gaming landscape. Today, FromSoftware remains a significant influence on game development across various platforms.
The best Souls-like games available on PS Plus are defined by their challenging gameplay, strategic boss battles, and a combat system that is as rewarding as it is punishing. While games like Lords of the Fallen are openly inspired by the Dark Souls series, other titles offer subtler nods to the genre’s conventions. Despite the limited number of Souls-like games in the PS Plus Extra and Premium tiers, players can still find excellent Dark Souls-like alternatives on PS Plus.
Updated January 25, 2025 by Mark Sammut: The latest PS Plus Extra and Premium lineup for January 2025 did not include any new Soulslike games, but it did feature two offerings that genre enthusiasts may find enjoyable.
While many upcoming Souls-like games are listed under PS Plus Premium, it’s worth noting that some titles are absent from the Extra tier. For reference, the average completion time for each game is derived from HowLongToBeat’s statistics.
1 Bloodborne
A Lovecraftian Masterpiece from FromSoftware
Bloodborne stands out as the premier Souls-like title in the PS Plus Extra and Premium lineup. Set in the haunting city of Yharnam, this PS4 exclusive is exemplary in atmosphere, level design, and score, alongside its stunning gameplay mechanics. Even after the success of Elden Ring, many argue that FromSoftware reached a high point that few developers can emulate with Bloodborne.
The game features a combat system that is notably more aggressive than what players expect from traditional Souls titles, encouraging relentless engagement. Although weapon and armor options are more limited when compared to affiliated titles like Dark Souls, every available piece has strategic value and can last through much of the game, enhancing player choice and tactics.
2 Demon’s Souls (2020)
A Stunning PS5 Remake of a Classic
Launched in 2009, Demon’s Souls is credited with starting the Souls-like trend, and it is still a worthy contender in the genre today. The atmosphere it creates is nearly unmatched, and its meticulously crafted levels, despite some frustrating elements, are expertly designed. Nonetheless, the original has aged, and many of its systems have been improved upon in more recent titles.
The 2020 remake, however, revitalizes the experience beautifully, managing to reshape the source material while maintaining its core mechanics. Praised for its graphics and engaging gameplay, Bluepoint Games’ rendition of Demon’s Souls immerses players in the interconnected world of Boletaria and its Archstones, inviting exploration.
Unlike its spiritual successor Dark Souls, the real challenge lies in navigating through the game’s levels and discovering bosses rather than in the combat itself, which is manageable by comparison.
The Demon’s Souls 2009 version is also accessible through PS Plus Premium, where its legacy remains monumental despite some limitations in streaming quality.
3 Remnant 2
A Third-Person Shooter Interpretation of the Souls-Like Genre
As intriguing as the Souls-like genre is, it can lead to a sense of familiarity among released titles.Remnant 2, developed by Gunfire Games, distinguishes itself through its unique emphasis on ranged combat rather than melee-focused gameplay. The 2023 sequel enhances its predecessor’s successful formula, offering enjoyable cooperative gameplay alongside a competent single-player experience.
Players tackling Remnant 2 solo should consider selecting the Handler archetype for optimal performance.
The game features a variety of realms offering diverse aesthetics, maintaining a balance between structured progression and open exploration. Players can anticipate fast-paced shooting complemented by class-specific abilities, modifications, and dynamic boss fights, some of which present a significant challenge.
4 Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition
The Definitive 2D Metroidvania with Souls-Like Elements
Hollow Knight, created by Team Cherry, remains a hallmark of indie gaming from the 2010s, its allure only strengthened over the years. This 2D Metroidvania transports players to Hallownest, an expansive underground kingdom teeming with both beauty and danger. Assuming the role of the Knight, players will traverse this mesmerizing world, battling foes and formidable bosses along the way.
In a manner reminiscent of Dark Souls, the game encourages exploration and backtracking, revealing rich lore and engaging NPC side quests throughout its intricate environments. Considered one of the best Souls-like experiences on PS Plus, it stands proudly among the most acclaimed titles on the platform.
5 Dead Cells
Seamlessly Blending Souls-Like Combat with Roguelike Mechanics
Dead Cells stands as a significant contribution to the roguelike genre, where players navigate a perilous island as the Prisoner, aiming to defeat its king while facing a series of challenging bosses. The game employs procedurally generated levels to ensure fresh experiences with each run, significantly enhancing its replay value.
This roguelike’s fast-paced and addictive combat keeps players engaged, even as they face the inevitability of death, which resets their progress but also introduces new weapons and upgrades.
6 Nioh
A Supernatural Adventure Set in Japan’s Sengoku Era
Nioh expands upon the foundations of Souls-like gameplay by incorporating a plethora of mechanics. It offers three combat stances, a variety of weapon types, and a vast world rich with hidden secrets. Its Japanese setting, particularly inspired by the Sengoku Period, adds a unique flair not commonly found in other titles.
True to Team Ninja’s legacy (known for franchises like Ninja Gaiden), the combat is fast, brutal, and deeply engaging. Players can explore smaller maps connected by shortcuts laden with secrets, benefiting from a generous loot system that rewards thorough exploration.
7 The Surge 2
A Sci-Fi Twist on the Classic Souls-Like Experience
Both titles in The Surge series are available on PS Plus Premium and Extra, together offering a plethora of Souls-like content, with the sequel improving on almost every aspect of the original.
The Surge 2 delves deeper into its dystopian universe, enriching the narrative through its environments. Anyone yearning for a sci-fi adaptation of the Souls formula will find satisfying gameplay here, making it a worthwhile addition to any backlog.
8 Mortal Shell
An Inconsistent Yet Innovative Approach to Character Builds
Mortal Shell fully embraces its proximity to the Souls formula while introducing fresh mechanics, primarily through its unique shell system that allows players to swap characters at particular locations. This feature offers variety in gameplay, elevating the exploration experience through a more linear structure compared to other Souls-like titles.
The gameplay itself relies heavily on blocking and parrying, a mechanic crucial for surviving the campaign’s tough bosses. While the combat might feel familiar, it remains engaging with its unique twists.
9 Eldest Souls
A Strong Isometric Entry in the Genre
Eldest Souls doesn’t shy away from its roots within the Souls-like genre but simultaneously forges its own identity. Presented in an isometric perspective, this indie offering narrates the tale of humanity’s uprising against the gods and the subsequent conflict for survival. Rather than exploring the environment extensively, players engage in a series of boss battles that form the game’s core.
[Eldest Souls features distinct arenas for each of its challenging bosses, ensuring a thrilling experience. While some may miss the extensive exploration typical of Souls-like games, the varied boss fights and skill tree mechanics provide essential replayability.
10 Kena: Bridge Of Spirits
An Enchanting Adventure with Engaging Combat
Kena: Bridge of Spirits represents a remarkable indie achievement that rivals many triple-A titles. Developed by Ember Lab, the stunning fantasy environment invites exploration, even as the linear campaign unfolds. Players take on the role of Kena, a spirit guide tasked with helping distraught souls to find peace while combating encroaching corruption.
The combat, while not as heavy as traditional Souls-likes, includes numerous boss battles that bring a strong challenge. In addition to engaging combat, players will encounter puzzles, exploration elements, and light platforming, all executed with finesse that complements the gameplay.
11 Thymesia
A Focused Approach Leading to Refined Combat Mechanics
Since the rise of Dark Souls, many indie games have begun exploring themes and mechanics inspired by the franchise.Thymesia sits comfortably in the AA category, with production quality paralleling notable titles like Mortal Shell. Notably, this game adopts aspects from Sekiro, emphasizing precise parrying and swift reflexes, creating a combat system that demands mastery.
Featuring a unique protagonist—a plague doctor—Thymesia immerses players in a kingdom troubled by disease, filled with mutated foes. Players navigate three distinct zones, each challenged by formidable bosses and minions, although the repetitive mission structure may become tedious during the campaign.
On the upside, the frenetic combat keeps players engaged, and while the weapon options are modest, the character progression offers opportunities to enhance abilities.
12 Clash: Artifacts of Chaos
A Distinct and Quirky Gaming Adventure
Clash: Artifacts of Chaos, inspired by the Zeno Clash series, presents a unique take on the Souls-like genre, drawing chiefly from its combat system. Upon starting the game, players are greeted with its distinctively bizarre atmosphere, encapsulated by grotesque characters and elaborate storytelling.
Despite its eccentricity, Clash possesses enough charm and innovative gameplay to make it worth the experience. The combat is heavily focused on combos and intricate maneuvers, providing an intense experience that can be thoroughly enjoyable. The day-night cycle introduces an intriguing dynamic where difficulty scales at night.
Additional PS Plus Games for Souls Fans
With the limited number of traditional Souls-like titles available, PS Plus Premium and Extra subscribers seeking similar experiences will need to broaden their horizons. While the subsequent PS Plus titles may not conform to the exact premise of Dark Souls, they offer gameplay that satisfies some of the attributes and thrills fans often crave.
13 Atlas Fallen: Reign of Sand
A Unique Spin from a Renowned Developer
Crafted by the developers behind Lords of the Fallen and The Surge, Atlas Fallen might initially seem like a traditional Souls-like game, yet it branches into hack-and-slash RPG territory. Aiming for a wider audience, it balances accessibility with formidable challenges.
Set in a sweeping desert world, it utilizes a versatile gauntlet that serves various functions, enhancing player mobility—a standout feature of the game.
Despite a rocky launch, the developers delivered a notable update a year later named Reign of Sand, improving upon multiple aspects like voice acting and enemy variety without drastically altering the original gameplay.
14 Monster Hunter Rise
Engage in Thrilling Battles Against Giant Monsters
Like Demon’s Souls that ventured into new gaming territories, Capcom’s Monster Hunter created a disruptive niche within the genre. While there are similarities between the two, such as formidable boss fights and a weapon-focused progression system, their gameplay diverges significantly.
Monster Hunter Rise introduces a straightforward formula where players accept quests to take down larger-than-life creatures, collect loot, and upgrade their gear. Though there’s a narrative component, it primarily acts as a means to familiarize players with core mechanics allowing for a seamless transition into the extensive hunting missions.
The gameplay escalates in difficulty, requiring players to hone their loadouts for battling increasingly imposing foes, complementing the rich combat mechanics characteristic of the franchise.
15 God Of War & Ragnarok
Immersive Combat with a Gripping Narrative
The 2018 reboot of God of War transformed the classic franchise into a more intimate, richly detailed action-adventure experience inspired by Norse mythology. The story follows Kratos and his son, Atreus, on an emotional quest to honor the wishes of Kratos’ deceased wife.
While not a direct parallel to Souls-like games, combat in the God of War series features visceral intensity that is both fluid and deeply engaging, particularly as players unlock new abilities. Once the campaign concludes, a wealth of side quests offers additional exploration opportunities against a backdrop of emotional storytelling.
The sequel, Ragnarok, builds upon this established formula, introducing new allies, weapons, and playable characters, all while enriching the world with a diverse range of foes and epic confrontations across various realms.
Although the earlier entries in the series bear little resemblance to traditional Souls-like mechanics, they remain enjoyably engaging action titles worth experiencing.
16 Bloodstained: Ritual Of The Night
The Contemporary Evolution of the Castlevania Saga
Souls-like games continue to draw inspiration from Metroidvanias, particularly the legendary Castlevania series, making Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night a prime choice for PS Plus subscribers. Developed by ArtPlay and spearheaded by a veteran producer from the Castlevania franchise, this title replicates the essence of its predecessor while forging its own distinct identity.
Set within a sprawling gothic castle reminiscent of the grand designs from FromSoftware’s canon, Bloodstained delivers an array of engaging environments, boss battles, and plenty of customization options, making it an appealing choice for fans of the genre.
Notably, players can choose from over ten weapon types and acquire more than 70 demon abilities in the form of shards. This diversity opens exciting opportunities for character builds, ensuring a progressive gameplay experience.
17 Ghost Of Tsushima
A Beautifully Crafted Open World with Unique Combat
Ghost of Tsushima served as a fitting tribute to the PS4 era, immersing players in a beautifully rendered rendition of Japan during the Mongol invasion. Players will follow the journey of a lone samurai determined to reclaim Tsushima Island from invading forces.
While less punishing than typical Souls-like games, Ghost of Tsushima still features compelling combat mechanics that are both satisfying and fluid, with multiple strategies available for players to explore. For those who haven’t experienced it yet, both the base title and the Director’s Cut—which includes the Iki Island expansion—are available on PS Plus Extra.
18 Wild Hearts
A Monster Hunter-Inspired Adventure with Intriguing Mechanics
Both Dark Souls and Monster Hunter have firmly established their respective genres, with the latter creating its own space in the gaming world. However, Wild Hearts notably seeks to deliver a fresh experience reminiscent of Capcom’s formula, albeit on a larger scale.
In this action RPG, players take on the role of a hunter tasked with bringing down corrupted beasts called Kemono. The gameplay loop encourages mission-based structure while adding innovative building mechanics known as Karakuri, which allow players to erect various structures during battle for tactical advantages.
While the combat may feel somewhat cumbersome, it emphasizes mobility and strategy, resulting in a fun if imperfect gaming experience.
19 Shadow Of The Colossus
Stunning Boss Fights That Resemble Puzzles
The 2018 remake of Shadow of the Colossus preserves the integrity of Team Ico’s 2005 original while offering a stunning graphical overhaul and smoother controls. Retaining the story, characters, and gameplay that captivated audiences initially, the remake addressed technical issues that the earlier versions faced.
For players opting for the original experience, the PS3 Ico Collection with a classic version is accessible through PS Plus Premium.
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