5 underrated Soulslike games on Steam

Soulslike games on Steam are a dime a dozen, leaving players spoiled for choice. On a second glance, some of these titles are incredibly polished and intuitive, rivaling the coveted Souls franchise itself. While many developers lose the vision along the development cycle while attempting to create a title in this genre, many are able to add a clever and unique spin while retaining the essence of the category.

This article takes a look at some truly unique Soulslike games that players might have missed that are available on the Steam Store.

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5 underrated Soulslike games that flew under the radar

1) En Garde!

Soulslike Staple (image by Fireplace)

As described by its developers, En Garde! is a swashbuckling action game that utilizes impressive combat mechanics. The game was released in August 2023 and follows a rapier-wielding female as she takes out goons and bad guys in bright and colorful environments that make the pirate tropes stand out.

The main focus in En Garde! is the intuitive combat. Players use a parry-style mechanic to counter enemy attacks while landing strikes of their own. The attack animations are stylish and have a ton of flourish to them, making the game feel like a spectacle.

While the title deviates from the classic Soulslike formula, it has challenging moments. Enemies aren't much of a challenge and get easier to tackle as you progress. That said, they can overwhelm unprepared players. En Garde! is a solid single-player experience that fits into the Soulslike game category and fans of the genre are recommended to try it out.

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2) Death's Door

Collosal Enemies (image by Acid Nerve)

Death's Door is an isometric action Soulslike game that has proved to be a fun entry into the list. It follows the story of a raven who is a part of a bureaucratic system of soul reapers tasked with catching rogue souls. The premise is simple yet effective enough to draw players in, but where this game shines is in the presentation.

Death's Door is isometric and features some casual Soulslike game mechanics. Enemies have telegraphed attacks that the player is required to memorize to progress. The level design is linear, with branching pathways that reveal hidden secrets. There is also a rudimentary stamina system for dodges and attacks.

Death's Door has clean and polished-looking animated environments. The exploration rewards players curious enough to wander through the beautifully rendered world. Death's Door is available on the Steam Store and is a Soulslike game players should check out.

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3) Bright Memory: Infinite

A fierce foe (image by FYQD Studio)

This next entry on the list is a First-Person shooter that can be considered a Soulslike game but is more akin to a COD shooter with sparse elements from the genre. The game follows a female character that has powers like telekinesis. Alongside the FPS elements, the title can feel fast and adrenaline-inducing.

Bright Memory: Infinite, part two of Bright Memory, is slightly longer than the first. Both games are short 4-5 hour experiences and feel more like a demo than an actual game. The story isn't too great, but as stated before, the title's combat is its main selling point.

There are challenging moments in the game that occasionally push the player to think on their feet. Bright Memory: Infinite can be considered Soulslike and is a soft recommendation for players to try.

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4) Thymesia

A quiet moment (image by OverBorder)

Thymesia is an action video game developed by OverBorder Studio that feels like a direct influence of 2019's Game of The Year, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. It uses a Medieval-era setting and a plague doctor design for the protagonist. The game puts a huge emphasis on combat, which comes out as its highlight, despite other Souls elements being present.

The parry system, much akin to Sekiro, is the focal point of the gameplay in Thymesia. The combat can be incredibly gratifying to learn as the game forces players to adapt or leave. It's not at the level of more polished Soulslike games, but it is still a neat experience from a relatively small studio. Fans should give this video game a try, but only when on sale.

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5) Code Vein

Certain death awaits (image by Bandai Namco)

The last entry on this list is relatively large in terms of development scale but one that flew under the radar at launch. Code Vein was advertised as an Anime Soulslike delivered what it promised: a full-anime experience wrapped up into an action RPG. Code Vein, much like the games it is influenced by, follows similar tropes of a nameless warrior who needs to fix the broken world they inhabit.

Much like many Souls games, there is also a lady clad in white that levels the player up and acts like an exposition device for the player. While not special in its presentation, Code Vein has a certain charm to it that carries it forward through the dull moments.

Combat is standard Souls, with a stamina bar and special attacks that are tied to weapons. The leveling-up system encourages players to perform better and lose fewer souls as they progress. Code Vein is a good game to pick up for any Anime and Soulslike fan.

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These are some of the most underrated Soulslike games available on the Steam Store. Soulslike games can be incredibly fun to get into as players wait for their next From Software title.