The Soulslike genre is one of thosethat owes its name to a video game,Dark Soulsspecifically. And it’s a genre that has come a long way, with new games constantly taking the concept to new and innovative heights in regard to the challenge and narrative aspects. And the Xbox Series X|S is filled with quite a bounty of them.
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Whether you’re in search of a Soulslike leaving you immersed in a sci-fi zone, historical period, or a dark fantasy realm, there are plenty of great options to consider for your Xbox, including a game that’s exclusive to the console.
10The Last Hero Of Nostalgaia
The Last Hero of Nostalgaiaoffers a more satirical take on a Soulslike, even its very name poking some fun at FromSoftware titles. And yes, you are reading that correctly. The fantasy world your hero will encounter Soulslike combat is hilariously misspelled with an extra ‘a,‘yet still full of video game nostalgia. The names get even more odd and satirical when choosing classes, like Sorcerer becoming ‘Sourcerer’ and Paladin a ‘Datadin.’
Even the character design is a pixelated faceless white exoskeleton that doesn’t change when applying the extensive character customization options, and a narrator makes further quips on the genre’s tropes. The art style is a nice blend of 2D and 3D, with fallen enemies turning into pixels, and the combat system with a sword and shield is seriously fluid.
9Thymesia
Alchemy and a Bloodborne-like story of a Kingdom grappling with a deadly plague are whatThymesiais all about. Here you’re the enigmatic Corvus, a hooded figure with a plague doctor mask that can shapeshift into a crow. Also, you have the uniqueness of magical energy-consuming weapons called Plague Weapons that briefly transform your current loadout into powerful glowing weapons like a scythe or tentacles to better aid against enemies.
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The environments are well-designed and atmospheric, with each area containing a different theme in the Kingdom of Hermes and enemies brilliantly fitting into the environmental storytelling. Thymesia’s lore is intriguing and plentiful to discover throughout the gameplay, and combat includes some polished finishing animations.
8Vampyr
Another horror Soulslike RPG on the Xbox Series X|S,Vampyris rooted more in historywith the backdrop of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic. As typical of Don’t Nod’s formula, it’s a Soulslike focusing more on narrative with a dialogue wheel and decision-based choices that affect the game’s outcomes at key points.
Stationed out of Pembroke Hospital to treat those who succumbed to the flu is doctor and newly-turned vampire Jonathan Reid. The combat system features dodging attacks by teleporting and some terrific abilities from Reid’s new powers that manifest from blood, including Bloodspear and Abyss, which raises shadow spikes from the ground.
7Remnant: From The Ashes
If solo sword fighting and parrying in Soulslike titles isn’t your style,Remnant: From The Ashesintroduces a co-op third-person shooter option for the genre. You can choose from one of three distinct classes that tie into the game’s core themes, such as an ex-Cultist, a Hunter, and a Scrapper, to take on the harrowing giant bosses.
Known as the Root, they actually come from another dimension that you can travel to yourself, and the procedural generation component ensures you’ll have a new experience each visit. The art style of the Root evokes a darker, eerier version of the enemies found inKena: Bridge of Spirits.
6Steelrising
A unique concept for a Soulslike comes in the alternate historical setting ofSteelrising. Though it takes place during the French Revolution in 1789, you don’t battle King Louis XVI’s typical army forces. In this version, Louis XVI obtained the technology to construct giant weaponized robotic automatons to quell the Revolution.
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Your character Aegis, an automaton herself, is one of the last remaining benevolent machines serving historical figures like Marquis de Lafayette and Queen Marie Antoinette in the cause. The mechanics of the machine versus machine combat are a delight, witha creative variety of satisfying weaponslike bladed Armoured Fans that both attack and defend.
5Mortal Shell: Enhanced Edition
Mortal Shellis another Soulslike outing that seeks to reinvent the genre in original ways. As the name suggests, you begin asa featureless and faceless characterthat can switch between different shells of armor taken from the fallen soldiers lying in your path. You can find a total of five of these shells, each having specific attributes and essentially serving as the class system.
Mortal Shell’s concept, atmosphere, punishing bosses, and combat design are closest to mimicking a Dark Souls aesthetic. The overall execution, as well as the world-building and storytelling, however, is not as solid.
4Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
Wo Long: Fallen Dynastyis Team Ninja’s Soulslike follow-up to theNiohseries and also takes place in a dark fantasy alternate historical period, though in the much earlier period of the Han Dynasty with demons yet again invading the land. In addition to bladed weapons, you havethe power of Divine Beasts, perks inspired by Chinese mythological creatures that are helpful in battle.
Wo Long leans as a more cinematic and richer storytelling Soulslike title with excellent supporting characters and visually stunning boss designs, and it’s a co-op adventure as well. Another excellent feature is its detailed character creation system, making it possible to create some of your favorite characters from other games and pop culture.
3Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Star Wars Jedi: Survivoris a must-add to your Xbox Series X|S library if you’re aStar Warsfan and enjoy Soulslikes. This sequel toFallen Orderimmensely expands on the scope of its mechanics and worlds, introducing a variety of mounts for traversal, implementing a new companion system for Cal and giving him a grappling hook, and utilizing more creatures and enemies from the Star Wars canon.
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There are larger areas to explore with more puzzles and increased mini bosses to die endlessly by. The story is likewise more complex and proves to be another emotional one for Cal and BD-1, who meet new characters like Bode Akuna, Rayvis, and Dagan Gera, while continuing the development of Cere Junda, Merrin, and Greez.
2Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
AfterDark Souls 3, FromSoftware went in a new direction withSekiro: Shadows Die Twice. This Soulslike successor from the veteran studio takes you to the Sengoku period of Japan, where you’re the titular shinobi character Sekiro armed with various weapons and a grappling hook attached to your prosthetic arm.
The historical Japanese setting showcases a brighter and more lush environment in contrast to the drearier Dark Souls entries, but still of course populated with various forms of enemies punishing as ever, from human foes to mythological creatures. One of the most important aspects of this game is filling your opponent’s Posture bar through successful parries to deal fatal damage.
1Elden Ring
Rightfully in the top spot isElden Ring, FromSoftware’s masterpiece collaboration with author and Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin. The weapon combinations, gorgeous fantasy setting, challenging area bosses, and spell-casting combat can’t get any more impressive than this. And the massive open world of the Lands Between provides a playground for exciting exploration and PvP action.
Elden Ring is a remarkable entry to the genre that pushes the creative limits of these kinds of games. It also has some of FromSoftware’s most memorable bosses through its lore and narrative design, tied to you reassembling the titular object from Great Runes.
