Even a Souls-like video game can be beaten. There is a pathway to conquering games like Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition. By playing easier Souls-likes, players can overcome the claustrophobia associated with battling bosses in tight spaces.
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Souls-like games are part of a subgenre that has become a prominent part of the gaming industry. Developers like FromSoftware and Team Ninja have made their mark on the subgenre with new meanings for rage-quitting. Yes, a Souls-like game can be easy. Gamers shouldn't let the "Souls-like" label deter them from playing these games.
Updated May 21, 2021, by Jack Pursey: FromSoftware's upcoming Elden Ring is one of the gaming industry's most highly anticipated releases. The game has a good reason to be one of the most highly anticipated upcoming releases. FromSoftware's so-called "Soulsborne" series has provided players with some of the best action RPGs of the last decade. Unfortunately, some gamers don't enjoy the Soulsborne series, as the difficulty is too much to handle. For anyone wanting a Dark Souls gameplay style but with a decrease in difficulty, we've updated this list to add a few more great options.
11 Dark Souls II
There are areas of Dark Souls II that caused trouble for players, such as the Fume Knight, Ancient Dragon, and the Smelter Demon. However, the difficulty of Dark Souls II is easy in comparison to other Souls-like games.
The most frustrating part of Dark Souls II is not the enemy and boss difficulty but instead the game's backtracking and confusing map. It's difficult in all the wrong places, and oddly easier than the first game.
10 Lords of the Fallen
Lords of the Fallen released on 28 October 2014. It didn't hide its influences from the first two Dark Souls games, with its interconnected areas and emphasis on intense boss fights.
Another similarity to Dark Souls is the game's combat. Getting impatient or trying to rush fights in Lord of the Fallen is a fatal error. Enemies will punish players who don't adopt a tactical, methodical approach to combat. Lord of the Fallen struggled to reach the quality of the Soulsborne series, exemplified by its Xbox One Metascore of 71. However, it still provides an enjoyable experience for fans of the souls-like formula.
9 Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen
Dragon's Dogma was originally released by Capcom in 2012 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, before an enhanced edition titled Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen hit stores the following year. The game differentiates itself from the Dark Souls series with its hack and slash combat and open world. Its party system is reminiscent of another Capcom series, Monster Hunter.
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Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen performed better with critics than Lord of the Fallen. It scored between 78 and 81 on Metacritic across its numerous releases.
8 Dark Souls III
The final game in the Dark Souls trilogy had tremendous potential, but it ultimately fell short of expectations because of its easy difficulty, among other reasons. The game kicks off with an epic clash against Iudex Gundyr, a boss with silver cast-iron armor, in the Cemetery of Ash. From there, things ease up as the game gets too relaxed.
There are outliers like the Nameless King and Pontiff Sulyvahn, but it's hard to deny the disparity in difficulty between Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition and Dark Souls III.
7 Ashen
Unlike the Dark Souls franchise, Ashen offers less of a challenge to players. Completing quests, which are called "Journeys," are the form of progression in this title.
One downside to the Journeys is that they are far too linear. Dark Souls' overarching goals are far less linear, adding to the game's difficulty. In Ashen, bosses are easy to manipulate, and enemies can be passed with ease. The game doesn't do a good job of offering a challenge, but it's a good introduction to the genre.
6 Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning was the one and only game that 38 Studios released before the company declared bankruptcy in 2012. Interestingly, 38 Studios was founded by Curt Schilling, a former MLB Pitcher.
Like Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning differentiates itself from Dark Souls with its hack and slash combat. The game was remastered in 2020 under the name Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning, on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, before coming to Nintendo Switch in 2021.
5 Code Vein
Code Vein is an action RPG from Bandai Namco, the same company that published the Dark Souls trilogy. This 2019 title puts players in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic setting that players are free to explore thanks to the offering of an impressively designed open-world.
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The game struggled to impress critics, exemplified by its Metascores between 70 and 75. However, its Souls-like mechanics, well-crafted open world, and interesting story make it worth considering.
4 Nioh 2
The sequel to Nioh answered back with three-player cooperative play and a host of new features that enhance gameplay. Nioh 2 will go down as one of the great Souls-likes, despite being undeniably easier than its predecessor.
The game lets players summon blue graves and co-op partners with ease. Moreover, Nioh 2's bosses have Ki (stamina) that drains easier. Leveling is straightforward, making this an easy Souls-like—maybe even too easy.
3 Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
In many ways, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order's implementation of Souls-like mechanics was a testament to how far the genre had come. One of gaming's biggest publishers, Electronic Arts, entrusted the gameplay style to one of their major Star Wars releases.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order finally gave fans a modern single-player Star Wars game that let them play as a Jedi. Along with the Souls-like mechanics, the game also implemented aspects of 3D Metroidvania. The Metroidvania themes were well implemented, but they disappointed some players who would have rather explored more planets than backtrack previous areas.