After the massive success of Elden Ring, players are still searching for that same mix of brutal combat, deep exploration, and rewarding progression. In 2026, the Soulslike and hardcore action RPG genre is stronger than ever — with both classic masterpieces and newer entries refining the formula.

This guide ranks the 10 best games like Elden Ring available right now (May 18, 2026) based on combat depth, world design, difficulty balance, and replayability — not hype.

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🔥 Quick Comparison Table

Game	Release	Best For	Avg. Playtime	Difficulty
Dark Souls III	2016	Classic Souls experience	30–50h	Very Hard
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice	2019	Skill-based combat	25–40h	Extremely Hard
Bloodborne	2015	Fast aggressive gameplay	25–35h	Very Hard
Lies of P	2023	Modern polished Soulslike	30–40h	Hard
Nioh 2	2020	Deep combat systems	40–60h	Very Hard
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty	2023	Parry-focused combat	25–35h	Hard
Mortal Shell	2020	Short atmospheric experience	10–20h	Hard
Remnant II	2023	Souls + guns	25–40h	Hard
Lords of the Fallen	2023	Dual-world mechanics	30–50h	Hard
Black Myth: Wukong	2024	Cinematic boss fights	30–45h	Hard

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1. Dark Souls III

Best For: Pure Elden Ring roots
Pros:

• Tight, refined Souls combat
• Legendary boss design (Nameless King, Gael)
• Strong build variety

Cons:

• Linear compared to Elden Ring
• Older visuals (but still solid in 2026)

Verdict: The closest you can get to Elden Ring’s core DNA.

Check it on: Steam

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2. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Best For: Skill-based mastery
Pros:

• Best melee combat system ever made
• No stat grinding — pure skill
• Incredible boss duels

Cons:

• No builds or RPG variety
• Brutal difficulty spikes

Verdict: Peak combat — but only if you’re ready to suffer.

Check it on: Steam

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3. Bloodborne

Best For: Aggressive fast-paced gameplay
Pros:

• Unique gothic horror world
• Fast, rewarding combat
• Iconic atmosphere

Cons:

• 30 FPS cap (still in 2026)
• PlayStation-only

Verdict: Still one of the best games ever made — period.

Check it on: Play Station

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4. Lies of P

Best For: Modern Soulslike experience
Pros:

• Extremely polished gameplay
• Weapon customization system
• Strong story for the genre

Cons:

• Less build freedom than FromSoftware
• Some difficulty spikes feel uneven

Verdict: Best non-FromSoftware Soulslike right now.

Check it on: Steam

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5. Nioh 2

Best For: Deep combat systems
Pros:

• Insane build variety
• Loot + RPG mechanics depth
• High skill ceiling

Cons:

• Overwhelming for beginners
• Repetitive level structure

Verdict: A hardcore alternative with unmatched combat depth.

Check it on: Steam

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6. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

Best For: Parry-focused gameplay
Pros:

• Fast-paced combat
• Accessible compared to Nioh
• Great boss fights

Cons:

• Less depth long-term
• Enemy variety issues

Verdict: Sekiro-lite but still very satisfying.

Check it on: Steam

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7. Remnant II

Best For: Soulslike with guns
Pros:

• Unique ranged combat
• Co-op gameplay
• High replayability

Cons:

• RNG-heavy progression
• Less traditional Souls feel

Verdict: Best co-op Soulslike experience.

Check it on: Steam

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8. Lords of the Fallen

Best For: Exploration and world mechanics
Pros:

• Dual-world system (Umbral/Axiom)
• Large interconnected world
• Strong visuals (Unreal Engine 5)

Cons:

• Performance issues at launch (mostly fixed by 2025 patches)
• Combat not as tight as FromSoftware

Verdict: Ambitious — not perfect, but worth it.

Check it on: Steam

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9. Black Myth: Wukong

Best For: Cinematic boss fights
Pros:

• Stunning visuals
• Unique abilities and transformations
• Memorable boss design

Cons:

• Less traditional Souls progression
• More action than RPG

Verdict: A visual and gameplay spectacle.

Check it on: Steam

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10. Mortal Shell

Best For: Short Soulslike experience
Pros:

• Unique “shell” mechanic
• Atmospheric world
• Beginner-friendly length

Cons:

• Limited content
• Less enemy variety

Verdict: A compact Soulslike worth a weekend.

Check it on: Steam

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🧠 Final Thoughts

If you want the closest Elden Ring experience, go with Dark Souls III or Lies of P.
If you want pure skill challenge, Sekiro dominates.
If you want something fresh, Remnant II or Black Myth: Wukong push the formula forward.

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❓ FAQ

What is the closest game to Elden Ring in 2026?
→ Dark Souls III remains the closest in terms of gameplay and design.

Are there open-world Soulslike games like Elden Ring?
→ Very few. Most alternatives are more linear. Elden Ring still dominates this niche.

What is the hardest Soulslike game right now?
→ Sekiro is widely considered the hardest due to its strict skill-based combat.

Is Lies of P better than Dark Souls?
→ No — but it’s the best modern Soulslike outside FromSoftware.

Which Soulslike is best for beginners?
→ Mortal Shell or Lies of P are more accessible than classic Souls games.

⭐ Save