The emergence of Soulslikes as a prominent RPG/action-adventure subgenre can be traced back to the influential titles of Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls. This genre has rapidly evolved over the last decade, giving rise to several ambitious releases. In 2023, notable entries such as Lords of the Fallen, Lies of P, and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor made a significant impact in the gaming landscape.
One major draw of the Xbox Game Pass subscription service lies in its extensive variety, catering to diverse gaming preferences. Although FromSoftware’s iconic titles are not included in this service, Xbox Game Pass does feature some of the best Soulslike games that can serve as excellent alternatives to Dark Souls and Bloodborne.
As of January 5, 2025, considerations are ongoing about whether this new year will introduce any significant Soulslike games to Game Pass. While it’s too early to predict, titles like Wuchang: Fallen Feathers have certainly caught some attention.
New releases will be highlighted at the beginning of this list for better visibility.
Nine Sols
A 2D Metroidvania Inspired by Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
After initially releasing as a PC exclusive, Nine Sols made its console debut in November 2024 to widespread acclaim. Although the trend of 2D Metroidvanias incorporating Soulslike elements is becoming increasingly common, many individual titles within this genre remain exceptional.
Comparatively, Nine Sols excels among its peers due to its focus on rapid parrying mechanics, reminiscent of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. FromSoftware’s masterpieces serve as valuable benchmarks in game design, especially in combat systems where Sekiro notably stands out.
Set against a sci-fi backdrop rich in Asian mythology, Nine Sols unfolds a compelling narrative within the captivating realm of New Kunlun. Players control Yi on a mission to confront the nine Sols, each presenting unique challenges. The combat is engaging yet demands precision, increasing in difficulty as players progress, particularly in the latter stages of the campaign. While it may not be as punishing as Sekiro or Hollow Knight, genre veterans will definitely find their skills tested.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
A Sci-Fi Soulslike Featuring Engaging Exploration & a Compelling Narrative
Players on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate have access to both Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and its sequel, Jedi: Survivor, developed by Respawn. The series follows Cal Kestis, a Jedi Knight in hiding, who embarks on an original adventure set in the Star Wars universe. For newcomers, starting with Fallen Order is advisable, as it directly leads into Survivor. Not only does the 2019 installment excel in quality, but it also stands out as one of the best Soulslike games on Game Pass.
However, Jedi: Survivor generally outshines its predecessor by expanding on various elements. Cal Kestis’ character development is richer, the visual landscapes are more vibrant and exciting to explore, and the combat mechanics introduce new strategic options. While it maintains a familiar combat foundation similar to Fallen Order, the sequel enhances gameplay through a new stance system, allowing players to tailor Cal’s fighting style by equipping two stances simultaneously.
Lies Of P
A Victorian Gothic Adventure Echoing Bloodborne
Lies of P is a captivating action RPG distinctly influenced by the essence of Bloodborne. Drawing inspiration from the classic story of Pinocchio, players navigate through Krat, an environment plagued by horrifying creatures ranging from humanoid guards to colossal beasts. This game differentiates itself from traditional Soulslikes by offering more dynamic combat focused on guard mechanics while still retaining the genre’s core attributes.
The combat system emphasizes guarding and deflection, creating a necessity for players to hone their skills to manage challenging boss encounters seamlessly. Despite not being developed by an established studio, Lies of P stands out with its polished execution and ambitious scope, promising to be remembered as one of the best Soulslike games ever created.
Another Crab’s Treasure
A Lighthearted Underwater Soulslike Featuring an Innovative Armor System
In an era where Soulslike games are increasingly routine, finding a unique title is a refreshing daunting task. However, Another Crab’s Treasure manages to carve its niche in a crowded market. This underwater journey introduces players to a vibrant world teeming with charming architecture and whimsical elements derived from both nature and discarded materials. The protagonist, Kril, is a crab on a quest to reclaim its stolen shell, enriching the adventure with a relatable narrative arc.
As a platformer, the game strikes a balance between combat and navigation, with players engaging in various challenges while exploring the environment. Combat involves a straightforward setup with a primary weapon, dodge, block, and unlockable parry options. The unique armor system encourages players to experiment with different shells, each offering distinct abilities with a risk of durability, adding layers to the gameplay experience.
Remnant 2
A Solid Third-Person Shooter that Shines in Co-Op
Both entries in the Remnant series are available through Xbox Game Pass, blending elements of the Soulslike genre in a third-person shooter format. Unlike many other titles that focus predominantly on melee combat, these games prioritize gunplay and set a standard for ranged action in the Soulslike realm. While Remnant: From the Ashes remains noteworthy, the sequel expands significantly on its predecessor with enhanced environments and class systems.
Remnant 2 utilizes procedural generation to enhance replayability, introducing a varied experience in dungeons while allowing for crafted levels. Players can dive into multiple playthroughs, ensuring each run provides fresh encounters and challenges. Designed with co-op play in mind, team dynamics and crowd control elevate the gaming experience, requiring players to work collaboratively. While loot collection is a vital aspect, rewards primarily consist of rings, amulets, and relics instead of traditional weaponry.
Lords Of The Fallen
An Ambitious and Visually Stunning Entry
Building on its 2014 predecessor, Lords of the Fallen presents an ambitious and visually stunning experience, enhanced by Unreal Engine 5. The game boasts impressive production values that elevate it above many in the genre, making its visual presentation praiseworthy.
The combat system adheres to standard Soulslikes while introducing unique elements, such as dual-realm mechanics that players are encouraged to utilize frequently. This feature adds to the depth of exploration and the experience of death, providing a fresh twist on familiar formulas. Overall, the level design showcases an ambitious scale while adhering to a linear structure, although the complexity of some bosses may feel lacking to experienced players.
Players’ experiences with Lords of the Fallen tend to be polarizing; they either love it or dislike it. Thanks to its availability on Game Pass, potential players can sample it without the financial risk.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
A Fast-Paced Action RPG from Team Ninja
Team Ninja has made significant strides in the Soulslike genre over recent years with the Nioh series. While these titles are not part of Xbox Game Pass, their latest release, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, debuted directly on the service. The game carries forward many elements from previous titles, including an expansive loot system.
Set in the context of China’s Three Kingdoms period, Wo Long blends historical intricacies with supernatural elements, offering a diverse range of challenging boss encounters. Instead of a continuous world, Wo Long features segmented portions, with each arena presenting a Rotational Metroidvania-style design. Beyond the main quests, players can engage in side missions that introduce unique bosses and rewards.
Dead Cells
A Masterfully Crafted Roguelike Experience
Dead Cells encapsulates elements of the Roguevania design, offering steep difficulty and notable boss challenges that resonate with Souls fans. Players assume control of a mysterious being that inexplicably returns to life each time it dies within the adventure.
This 2D sidescroller captivates players with vivid graphics, challenging combat, and a “blueprint system”that allows users to unlock an array of weapons, outfits, and accessories for future playthroughs. The game features multiple pathways and extensive customization options, making Dead Cells a must-play indie hit.
Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition
A Masterful Metroidvania Packed with Soulslike Elements
At first glance, Hollow Knight might not seem to embody typical Soulslike features, but it intricately weaves them into its gameplay. This 2D Metroidvania showcases crucial mechanics such as harsh death penalties, insightful checkpoint systems, and exhilarating boss encounters that satisfy players’ cravings for challenging gameplay.
The game distinguishes itself with captivating insect-themed character designs and an immersive lore-filled setting, as players accompany the Knight through the haunting, abandoned realms of Hallownest.
Death’s Door
An Engaging Setting, Protagonist, and Combat System
Featuring charmingly designed worlds and characters, Death’s Door invites players to control a small crow tasked with soul collecting from formidable bosses. As players progress, they unlock new abilities and items, navigating a universe that feels akin to a lighter homage to Dark Souls, complete with engaging locales like a grand castle.
This title offers a captivating exploration experience, attracting players with its narrative depth and fast-paced combat mechanics. While elements of Soulslike are evident, the game creatively draws inspiration from The Legend of Zelda series in its level design and puzzle-solving aspects.
Tunic
A Fusion of Zelda and Dark Souls
Describing Tunic solely as a Soulslike undervalues its creative ambition. While it adopts clear influences from Zelda in its puzzle-solving elements, its combat system, rooted in the mechanics of Dark Souls, exhibits the fundamental characteristics typical to the genre, including roll dodges, shield guarding, and health-restoring items echoing Estus Flasks.
More than simply a reinterpretation of the Souls formula, Tunic unfolds as a charming puzzle-platformer that exemplifies a challenging adventure filled with intricate bosses requiring strategy beyond reflexes. Successfully balancing accessibility and depth, Tunic emerges not just as one of the best Soulslike on Xbox Game Pass, but as one of the standout titles in the entire catalogue.
Ashen
An Ambitious Indie Soulslike with Open-World Elements
Upon its release in 2018, Ashen showcased impressive features, although it now exists in a much more competitive Soulslike landscape. While it may not be at the forefront of genre-defining gaming, it still offers a coherent experience for fans seeking Soulslike combat in an open-world format.
Set in a detailed open-world environment, players enjoy a degree of freedom from the start, although some areas are gated until certain skills are acquired. Ashen pioneered the open-world approach in the Soulslike genre, setting a precedent for future titles and effectively executing it.
The game diverges from classic leveling through traditional RPG means, instead tying health and stamina gains to quests and collectibles, thus ensuring players progressively strengthen their characters. The use of AI companions contributes to a more forgiving gameplay experience, while weapon progression interlinks with the overall journey.
Non-Soulslike Games On Game Pass Dark Souls Fans Might Love
While Soulslikes are becoming widely popular, there are few titles that closely resemble the gameplay and mechanics of FromSoftware’s franchises. Players aiming to broaden their gaming experience should explore various genres to discover enjoyable alternatives. The titles listed below are excellent considerations:
Sifu
Martial Arts Excellence
A common theme among Soulslike games is the necessity for players to engage in complex combat mechanics. While Sifu is built more upon melee beat ’em up foundations than traditional Soulslike combat, it still significantly challenges players to invest time mastering intricate mechanics. The game features a melee-centric combat style with over 100 move combinations available for players to unlock and chain together.
Sifu also incorporates elements of repetition, adopting a distinctive roguelike twist where death ages the protagonist, introducing both benefits and drawbacks. Reviving on the spot can prolong play sessions, but ultimately age means players must restart from earlier points in the game, albeit with some permanent upgrades. Each stage culminates in aggressive boss battles that test players’ skills, eventually requiring a flawless run through all stages for completion.
Atlas Fallen: Reign of Sand
A Soulslike Developer Ventures into a Different Kind of Action RPG
Deck13, though not synonymous with the Soulslike genre compared to Team Ninja or FromSoftware, has made notable attempts, including the initial Lords of the Fallen. Following that venture, Deck13 explored sci-fi settings with successful titles like The Surge and its sequel, both of which are worth checking out.
While neither of those games is featured on Game Pass at the moment, Deck13’s most recent offering, Atlas Fallen, is available through the service. Despite some superficial similarities, Atlas Fallen diverges significantly from the typical Soulslike structure, leaning towards a fast-paced action RPG style. The gameplay emphasizes dynamic hack-and-slash combat while providing engaging character build options through the Essence Stones mechanic, offering various routes for players to mold their characters.
This title, while not a revolutionary masterpiece, offers an enjoyable open-world experience that excels in areas such as movement and combat mechanics. The Reign of Sand update adds substantial enhancements, including new enemies and progression tweaks to bolster the game experience.
Diablo 4
Dark Fantasy RPG Filled with Rich Loot Opportunities
Following its highly anticipated release in 2023, Diablo 4 has witnessed fluctuations in public sentiment, navigating a complex path from initial praise to polarizing critiques. Despite mixed reviews, players can utilize Game Pass as an accessible way to explore this title without upfront investment, leaving the door open for those unsure of its mechanics.
Diablo 4, as an isometric hack-and-slash RPG, diverges significantly from typical Soulslike mechanics. The combat approach is more streamlined and action-oriented, appealing to fans who relish customizing their builds, gathering loot, and traversing a richly designed dark fantasy world filled with dungeons and formidable boss encounters. While less punishing than traditional Soulslikes, it can still be an engaging experience, especially when played with friends.
Monster Hunter Rise
Conquer Enormous Foes with a Deep Focus on Character Development
Capcom’s Monster Hunter series essentially established its subgenre, giving rise to numerous offshoots like Dauntless and God Eater. Monster Hunter Rise, while initially launched on the Nintendo Switch, has become an accessible entry point for newcomers to the franchise, avoiding the intimidation factor present in earlier titles.
The game offers notably smaller maps compared to its predecessor, Monster Hunter World, yet retains opportunities for exploration. Players engage in defeating massive creatures to gather materials required for improving their equipment. While its story campaign serves primarily as an extended tutorial, the true game experience unfolds after completing the initial narrative, with players free to select from 14 weapon classes, each distinctly different in playstyle.
Dead Space (2023)
A Gripping Sci-Fi Horror Experience with Intense Combat
As a third-person shooter set in a sci-fi horror universe, Dead Space’s gameplay diverges significantly from traditional Soulslike mechanics, with both the original and 2023 remake available on Xbox Game Pass. While both versions share the same overarching story, they differ in key gameplay elements worthy of mention.
The original release has withstood the test of time, showcasing exceptional combat and an unnerving atmosphere. While players may consider a chronological run through the trilogy for a consistent narrative experience, the 2008 version is notable for its timeless precision. The 2023 remake presents a refreshed entry point, catering to both newcomers and veterans alike, preserving linear gameplay mechanics while enhancing combat engagement.
Though not a direct substitute for Soulslike thrills, Dead Space offers compelling level design, balanced combat, and an engaging mystery, making it appealing to fans of the genre.
Alice: Madness Returns
A Disturbing Journey Through a Twisted Wonderland
Alice: Madness Returns, developed by Spicy Horse, features an older Alice returning to Wonderland, a surreal landscape imbued with both whimsy and horror. This title offers a hack-and-slash combat system that is simple yet enjoyable, allowing for fast-paced interactions that effectively utilize Alice’s unique arsenal of tools.
While combat plays a significant role, the game’s identity leans more towards platforming, markedly distinguishing it from conventional Soulslikes. Nevertheless, Alice’s twisted version of Wonderland engages players who appreciate the darker, richly textured environments present in many of FromSoftware’s narratives.
Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection
A Hack-and-Slash Masterclass, Especially the First Two Installments
The esteemed Ninja Gaiden trilogy, developed by Team Ninja, has set benchmarks within the action genre, particularly with its first two installments. The Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection brings together remastered versions of Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, and Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge, making the first two games available on Xbox for the first time.
While not every remaster may represent the definitive version of each title, the overall quality of this collection delivers electrifying and engaging combat that necessitates dedication and skill. Even though the gameplay diverges significantly from Dark Souls series mechanics, both genres require players to analyze aggressive enemies’ tactics for survival.
The best experience can be found in Ninja Gaiden Sigma, which offers a slightly easier experience compared to its Black iteration. The sequel remains closely aligned with its predecessor, filled with entertaining boss fights and an enjoyable weapon selection. Although Razor’s Edge may not be the strongest installment of the series, it still serves as a competent hack-and-slash title.
Leave a Reply