7 souls-like games you should play while waiting for Elden Ring Nightreign

Numerous incredible souls-like games are available on the market. The term usually refers to action RPGs inspired by FromSoftware's SoulsBorne series. While souls-likes are made by developers other than FromSoft, they take many inspirations from the SoulsBorne genre but provide their own unique twist on it.

Here are seven souls-like titles you can play to shorten the wait for FromSoftware's next venture, Elden Ring Nightreign.

Note: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinions.

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7 incredible souls-like games to play while you awaiting Elden Ring Nightreign

1) Thymesia

A still from Thymesia (Image via Team17)

A recent indie souls-like title you can enjoy is Thymesia. Your goal is to fight the various bosses and help the protagonist regain his memories, which hold the cure for a deadly plague infesting the city. Use the saber to open up enemy wounds (white bar) and claws to deplete their health (green bar) and deal permanent damage.

Thymesia is a great option for those who want recent souls-like games that encourage an aggressive playstyle.

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2) Lies of P

A still from Lies of P (Image via NEOWIZ)

Lies of P has to be one of the best souls-like games released recently. It provides a dark retelling of the story of Pinnochio, where you wake up in the distraught city of Krat. Here, you'll need to find your creator Geppetto to cure the mysterious condition plaguing all puppets — the Puppet Frenzy.

The game features a tight third-person combat system that encourages aggressive gameplay and gives a lot of leeway for testing various builds through its blades and handles system.

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3) Nioh 2

A still from Nioh 2 (Image via Koei Tecmo)

Those who want high-octane souls-like games that continuously test a player's mettle, Nioh 2 is a perfect example. The game heavily builds upon the foundations of the SoulsBorne formula with its additions like a stance system, weapon familiarity, and a yokai mode. Nioh 2 became known for its unforgiving difficulty that punishes players for each small mistake.

This is a must-play title for players wanting brutally difficult games with a steep but satisfying learning curve.

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4) Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

A still from Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty (Image via Koei Tecmo)

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is one of the many souls-like games set in Ancient Chinese history. The game is a dark fantasy adaptation of the Three Kingdoms era set in 184 AD. Despite being a souls-like, the game also takes inspiration from Sekiro's dance of attacks and parries for its combat system.

You'll need to balance between offense and defense, allowing for an engaging combat experience. Pick Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty if you want a good entry point into the franchise.

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5) Hollow Knight

A still from Hollow Knight (Image via Team Cherry)

Hollow Knight is a 2D Metroidvania title that also takes inspiration from FromSoft's catalog. You'll constantly be engaged in the gameplay loop of acquiring Geos by defeating enemies and using them to level up and progress through the open-ended map of the game.

Hollow Knight is one of the best indie souls-like games for its tight controls, beautiful art style, difficult bosses, compelling world, and soulful music.

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6) The Surge 2

A still from The Surge 2 (Image via Focus Entertainment)

For players wanting amazing science-fiction souls-like games, The Surge 2 is a great option. It provides many additions to the Souls formula. One of them is its selective targeting mechanic, where you can target different body parts of an enemy to earn a particular reward, providing mechanical depth to the combat.

Surge 2 is a must-buy for players wanting action RPGs with engaging combat, a unique world, and an interesting sci-fi setting.

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7) Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

A still from Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (Image via Electronic Arts)

If you want to experience one of the best souls-like games but set inside the Star Wars universe, Fallen Order is the way to go. This narrative-driven action game adapts the Star Wars IP elements to the SoulsBorne formula, providing a unique and memorable experience.

Players can switch between different lightsaber stances and blend them with unique force abilities to deal with the various foes. The title also blends combat with some light puzzle and platforming setpieces to break up the pacing.

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Honorable Mention: Dark Souls 3

A still from Dark Souls III (Image via FromSoftware || Bandai Namco Entertainment)

While Dark Souls 3 doesn't come under the souls-like genre since it is developed by FromSoftware, revisiting the game can help players provide some background for Nightreign, as Dark Souls 3's Nameless King appears in the roguelike action title's trailer at the Game Awards 2024.

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These games will make the wait for Elden Ring Nightreign much shorter.