Summary
Ever since the soulslike genre gained popularity, there have been ongoing debates about whether these games must be relentlessly hard and punishing in order to qualify for the genre. To balancemaintaining the genre’s distinct featureswhile appealing to a broader audience, developers began experimenting with difficulty settings and reducing the harsh penalties for failure. This led to the emergence of a new direction, often referred to as “souls-lite.” Although there isn’t a universally agreed-upon definition of souls-lite, these games retain key soulslike elements — such as challenging bosses, rewarding exploration, and the ‘bonfire’ checkpoint system with respawning enemies — while being more approachable and less punishing at their core.
The term ‘souls-lite’ gained traction when the developers ofFlintlock: The Siege of Dawnemphasized that their game wasn’t as hardcore as traditional soulslikes, catering to fans of action games as well. Many earlier games could also fall into the souls-lite category. These games often feature difficulty settings, including easier modes, and tend not to punish players as severely for dying, unlike FromSoftware’s purist approach to the genre. Below are some of the best souls-lite games, which can serve as excellent entry points for newcomers to the soulslike experience.
Darksiders 3was one of the first games to blend the traditional action-RPG style of its series with the newer wave of soulslike elements. While not everything was executed perfectly, the game laid the foundation for what is now recognized as the souls-lite format.Darksiders 3offers four different difficulty levels at the start, ranging from Story mode to the hardcore Apocalyptic difficulty. This allows players to adjust the experience to their comfort level.
Additionally,Darksiders 3imposes no punishment for dying. Players simply revive at the latest checkpoint, with all enemies respawning as well. This lack of punishment is a hallmark of souls-lite games and is featured in all the titles below.
For the marketing ofFlintlock: The Siege of Dawn, A44 Gamesemphasized its position as a souls-lite, highlighting how the game is less punishing and more approachable than typical soulslikes. In many ways,FlintlockresemblesGod of Warmore thanDark Souls. It offers three difficulty options, including Story Mode for a smoother combat experience. However, hardcore soulslike fans can choose the Possessed difficulty for a greater challenge while trying to maximize their experience modifier during combat encounters.
Even on normal difficulty,Flintlock: The Siege of Dawnisn’t overly challenging. Players have plenty of tools to deal with the game’s major bosses, aided by the constant support of Enki, a companion who can heal them. The game’s only real punishment comes from its experience multiplier system. Players who don’t claim their reputation might level up more slowly.
Steelrising, from Spiders studio, is another accessible entry into the soulslike genre. It offers a fresh twist with its unique setting: a robopocalypse during the French Revolution. What setsSteelrisingapart is its flexible Assist mode, which players can customize or disable before starting the game. This mode allows players to tweak aspects like the damage the protagonist Aegis receives in combat, prevent the loss of currency upon death, and adjust stamina regeneration and cooling mechanics during fights.
These customization options offer a welcome shift for the genre. They enableSteelrisingto maintain its challenge while giving players the tools to tailor the experience to their preferences.
Among soulslikes, theRemnantseries stands out as a souls-lite shooter that emphasizes procedural generation and strong co-op gameplay.Remnant: From the Asheswas an immediate success thanks to these features, captivating players enough to warrant a sequel.
However, don’t mistakeRemnant: From the Ashesfor an easy game. It’s true that it doesn’t punish players for dying on bosses, and it allows up to two friends to join in co-op play. However, some of the encounters are still highly challenging, requiring coordinated teamwork and build adjustments. It offers multiple difficulty options, from the default Normal mode to the more brutal Nightmare and Apocalypse modes that only the most experienced players can conquer. TheRemnantseries is a great example of how to leverage a modest scope and budget to create a compelling experience.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Orderblends traditional action-adventure gameplay with soulslike elements, all within the framework of a compellingStar Warsnarrative featuring characters that are easy to root for. As Respawn Entertainment’s debut in third-person action, the game exceeded many fans' expectations, delivering one of the bestStar Warsgames in years.
The game offers flexible difficulty settings, ranging from Story mode for a casual experience to Jedi Grandmaster for a true challenge. Its accessible combat system, combined with no penalties for dying, positionsJedi: Fallen Orderas a standout souls-lite title. It can attract new players to the genre, or encourage them to jump right into the sequel,Jedi: Survivor.
Remnant 2shines as a stellar sequel, identifying the original game’s strengths while addressing its weaknesses. It retains the same flexible difficulty options, allowing players to tailor their experience to be as challenging as they desire.
Packed with more unique weapons than ever before — each featuring distinct combat skills —Remnant 2offers a diverse selection of specialist classes, fascinating boss battles, hidden quests, and secrets. This makes it a highly recommended souls-lite for a wide range of gamers, especially those who enjoy shooter-based mechanics.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, another standout sequel, further refines the blend of action-adventure and soulslike elements while continuing to modernize both genres. With a strong focus on narrative and character development,Jedi: Survivorensures that almost any player can overcome its challenges. The forgiving parry windows, reduced damage in Story mode, and less aggressive enemies create the perfect environment for casual players. Meanwhile, seasoned players can seek a more intense challenge that demands mastery of the combat system.
Regardless of difficulty,Jedi: Survivorencourages players to keep trying after defeat, rather than punishing them harshly. The game strikes a fine balance between exploration, puzzles, and combat, offering fresh challenges at every turn within its expansiveStar Warsuniverse.
