Best Souls-Like of 2023

While Demon’s Souls was the real beginning of what we now call the Souls genre, it wasn’t until after Dark Souls came out that we started getting Souls-Likes. Studios big and small smelled the potential of this new, tough-but-fair approach to action RPGs and started trying to find new angles to approach it. It took a long time, but Souls-Likes have finally reached a point where they are arguably as good as, if not better, than some of FromSoftware’s own offerings. 2023 reached new heights for the genre, so here are the best Souls-Likes of 2023 that pushed us to our limits.

Honorable Mention: Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

Jesse Lennox, Weekend Editor: Team Ninja was the first developer to challenge FromSoftware in a meaningful way when it released Nioh. It was appealing for its Japanese setting – something fans were desperate to see in the genre – but incorporated new mechanics and systems that made it, and its sequel, a huge success.

Following that franchise, the team pivoted to a new IP with Wo Long. Shifting from ancient Japan to the Han Dynasty in China, we were treated to a tight action game that rewarded precision timing of deflections to overcome aggressive foes.

For as great as the combat is, and the inclusion of Chinese mythology that is rarely seen in gaming, Wo Long does lack in the exploration and sense of discovery department. This is an almost completely linear experience, meaning those who come for the intricate and interconnected worlds will leave disappointed.

Fourth Place: Blasphemous 2

Ethan Webb, Guides Editor: Staying true to its name, Blasphemous 2 is just as profane and vulgar in its presentation as the first, but that is what makes this Souls-Like Metroidvania series so compelling. The pixel art isn’t used as a crutch to cut costs as details drip from every surface. From the bloody, skin-peeled atrocities you encounter to the hideous, demented terrors you battle, the design is abhorrent in the “bestest” of ways. Besides the unforgettable character and enemy designs and breathtaking soundtrack, Blasphemous 2 plays well, offering an action-packed, engaging experience that has been much improved over its predecessor.

Whether you’re dashing and slashing through nightmarish demons, or performing a spectacular fatal finisher, the gameplay feels smooth and accessible, even as a challenging Souls-Like. In fact, some might feel the game is “too easy” compared to games like Castlevania or Hollow Knight. Regardless, Blasphemous 2‘s over-the-top violent action and striking aesthetic make for an unforgettable experience that will both haunt and exhilarate your mind.

Third Place: Lords of the Fallen

Jesse Lennox, Weekend Editor: The original Lords of the Fallen, not to be confused with the game of the same name released in 2023, was one of the first big-budget attempts at a Souls-Like. While it had a neat idea or two, it was largely seen as a poor man’s knock-off.

Fast forward through a very troubled development period to 2023 when Lords of the Fallen appears back on the scene and manages to impress despite all the odds stacked against it. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel in terms of combat, but it does have one major trick up its sleeve with the Umbral realm.

Few games seem to take full advantage of modern hardware, but Lords of the Fallen isn’t afraid to push some boundaries. By essentially layering two versions of the world on top of each other, suddenly this by-the-numbers Souls-Like stands as a fresh and invigorating take on the genre.

Runner-Up: Remnant 2

Jesse Lennox, Weekend Editor: If there was one twist on the Souls-Like genre we never would’ve predicted would work so well, it was focusing on guns. While multiple elements make a game a Souls-Like, one of the cores found across the board is the deliberate, stamina-based combat. How could that work with guns?

Both Remnant games proved it not only could work, but it works way better than you thought. Remnant 2 knows exactly how its mechanics work between the various classes, co-op, and randomly generated world to balance and tune itself into a game that pushes back just right.

Packed with secrets, gear, and a completely non-linear progression that can be replayed dozens of times, Remnant 2 strikes the perfect balance between familiarity and fresh ideas that differentiate the mediocre Souls-Likes from the truly great.

Winner: Lies of P

Freelance Writer, Nat Collazo: Lies of P is an incredibly innovative Souls-Like from the creators of Bless Unleashed. The story of Pinocchio, while one that’s been tapped in several mediums for decades, isn’t a journey that many people would use as inspiration for a video game. However, Round8 Studios managed to twist the story into a beautiful and enigmatic circus of biomechanical enemies, awesome bosses, and unique weapons. The gameplay also features a unique lying system that could change the course of the story. As the name suggests, you can lie to NPCs which later results in one of three endings.

The game’s version of Pinocchio can take advantage of a variety of different abilities, as well as a mechanical arm that can be equipped with different gadgets. Combined with the weapons that you can craft, there are hundreds of combinations you can create. The game’s backdrop is the fictional city of Krat where puppets were invented thanks to a strange power source known as Ergo. The Ergo is both the substance moving these puppets as well as the power Pinocchio needs to level up and upgrade his abilities. Similar to the Ashen Blood sickness plaguing the city of Yharnam, Krat is suffering from the incurable Petrification Disease which sets the tone and feel of the entire experience.

Many familiar themes and characters from both the original novel and Disney film are completely reimagined in Lies of P. The real difference is that instead of wishing to become a real boy, Pinocchio is facing the challenges of searching for Geppetto and surviving against the Puppet King. Without spoiling the ending, it’s incredibly interesting to see how the tale in Lies of P unfolds concerning popular fantasy novels. There’s so much untapped potential this game sets up for future sequels.