When Demon’s Souls launched back in 2009, no one knew it would give birth to an entire genre. Nor did I think I’d dive headfirst into this new genre, especially after being abused by the aforementioned game. Yet, here we are. These days, the term “Soulslike” carries some serious weight. It means brutal combat, tight controls, intricate world design, and an unwavering respect for the player’s intelligence (and patience). But let’s be honest — not every game that tries to pull this off sticks the landing.
I’ve played just about every Soulslike under the sun. After countless deaths, moments of triumph, and more than a few rage quits and maybe a smashed controller or two, I’ve put together my personal list of some of the best Soulslike games you can play right now. And believe it, this was hard to do, and I swore I’d never do a list like this, just because I’m constantly going back and forth. Let’s see if you agree with me or not.
