They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and in FromSoftware’s case, the compliments just keep on stacking up. The influence of theSoulsseries and its spin-offs on the gaming industry as a whole over the last 10+ years is nothing short of phenomenal. Various developers, from triple-A giants to small indie studios, have tried their hand atgiving players a challenging experienceto rival those first tentative steps in Boletaria, Lordran, Yharnam and the Lands Between.
Whether it’s a stamina-based combat system, an emphasis on patience and timing, or an interconnected world that loops back on itself, there’s no doubt thatSoulslikeshave resonated with players and developers alike. But it doesn’t always have to take place in a dingy medieval castle setting. In fact, some of the most innovative titles swap thegrim dark aestheticfor concrete and neon. With that in, below are some of the best sci-fi Soulslikes available right now.
A galaxy far, far away probably isn’t what first comes to players' minds when talking about Soulslikes. However, there’s a lot here that’s inspired by FromSoftware. When it comes to combat,Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Orderperfectly melds two iconic IPs to create fast-paced battles that feel equal partsDark SoulsandStar Wars.
Cal Kestis wields his lightsaber with deadly finesse, andmixing in various Force powersfeels very much like throwing Sorceries around. But he is not invincible. There’s an emphasis on patience and timing, waiting for the right moment to strike — because one wrong move could put Cal in serious trouble. It’s the perfect way to blend the mindfulness of the Jedi Order with the discipline required to beat aSoulstitle.
With how popular Soulslikes are and how many other genres they incorporate, it was inevitable that players would eventually get to sink their teethinto an anime version.Code Veintakes that sentiment quite literally. Set against the backdrop of a near future post-apocalyptic Earth, players take control of a Revenant, undead humans who require blood to stave off insanity.
It sounds very much like the process of Hollowing fromDark Souls. But the similarities don’t stop there. Players can master a variety of modern-day weapons, including bayonets, as well as a host of powers through the Blood Code enhancement system. Mix in challenging bosses, a vast interconnected world, and the ability to summon help from other Revenants, and the result is a tasty crimson cocktail of stylish action.
One of the earliest Soulslikes to blend strategic combat and resource management with a sci-fi aesthetic wasThe Surgeback in 2017. With the original’s success, a sequel soon followed.The Surge 2continues the trendsset out in the original, with an arsenal of robotic weaponry to collect and plenty of cybernetic augments that fundamentally alter gameplay.
Players must explore the sprawling city of Jericho in a bid to survive against seemingly insurmountable odds. Armored soldiers patrol the streets, deranged robots scavenge the rubble, and a looming nanostorm hovers in the distance. On top of the usual character progression, players can also target specific parts of an enemy to chop off and obtain as loot, adding another layer of depth to an already challenging combat system.
Take the Soulslike formula, add an arsenal of firearms with just a dash of Lovecraftian horror, and the result isRemnant II. Following the breakout success of the original title,Remnant IIdoubles down on everything that madeRemnant: From the Ashesa hit: more guns, more bosses, more challenge. Players explore strange new worlds and encounter fearsome foes on a mission to prevent the total extinction of humanity.
There are also plenty of choices to be made when it comes to character progression, with tons of ranged and melee weapons available to suit any play-style. Players will also need to learn enemy attack patterns and exploit openings in order to survive every encounter. But if things get a little too tough solo, there’s theoption to team upand take down tentacled monstrosities together. Jolly co-operation indeed.
