The soulslike genre is proving incredibly popular and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. The massive success of Elden Ring showed that, and games like Remnant 2, Lies of P, and Lords of the Fallen further confirmed its staying power. We can expect another strong year for soulslike games, with both new sequels and completely original titles on the way.
The game is evolving and becoming more diverse, blending different styles and viewpoints to create the intensely challenging experience fans expect.
We’re going to check out some upcoming soulslikes that are sure to have you getting good in 2026.
10. The Vernyhorn
Dark and Dreary
| Developer | INTERSTUDIO |
|---|---|
| Release Date | TBD |
| Platforms | PC |
Veryhorn is an intriguing action-adventure game aiming for more realistic combat inspired by the Souls-like genre. The developers consulted with actual swordsmen to ensure every fight feels authentic and grounded in real-world techniques, something often missing in similar games.
The game features combat elements you’ve likely seen before, like blocking and special attacks, but it seems smaller in scope than many other games of this type. It appears to focus on a personal, gritty story – not one about saving the world, but something more realistic and relatable, which would be a welcome change of pace in a genre that can sometimes feel repetitive.
We currently expect the game to be released in late 2026, though the date might change. Regardless, we’re very excited about it – the unusual title, impressive graphics, and unique world have definitely caught our eye.
9. Vapor World
The Lies of P-like
| Developer | Alive Inc |
|---|---|
| Release Date | Q2 2026 |
| Platforms | PC |
I was really impressed by the Vapor World demo at Steam Next Fest. It reminded me a lot of Lies of P – the main character looks strikingly similar! While Vapor World is a side-scrolling game and the combat isn’t exactly the same, it still captures that same focus on precise parrying that made Lies of P so engaging.
The action is satisfying, but what really stands out is the game’s unique world. It’s a cool blend of steampunk and sci-fi, unlike anything I’ve played recently. The gameplay feels similar to the excellent, but underrated, game Replaced. Some players might not like how it resembles Lies of P – a comparison it didn’t really ask for – but overall, it looks fantastic, and I’m eager to play more.
8. Knight’s Path
The Untread Path
| Developer | Jan Tichota, Aamn Chrour |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2026 |
| Platforms | PC |
Knight’s Path is a promising new game with a similar feel to the ‘Souls’ series. The developers haven’t revealed much yet, but the combat appears to focus on realistic techniques rather than typical fantasy action. This means precise timing will be crucial for parrying, blocking, and dodging – it’ll likely be more challenging than in other games. Early gameplay footage suggests it plays like a third-person version of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.
The game has a harsh and realistic look, and the creators are committed to making the world feel genuinely rough and unforgiving. The combat system has moved away from being slow and strategic to a more intense and realistic simulation, which makes this game particularly interesting this year.
7. Vindictus: Defying Fate
Adapting to the Trend
Vindictus has been a consistently good game, and the new installment, Vindictus: Defying Fate, seems to be adding elements from the popular ‘souls-like’ genre. I’ve tried a demo, and it’s looking really good so far. The combat is just as challenging as before, but now includes parrying mechanics similar to Sekiro, making fights feel quick and satisfying. The biggest improvement is definitely the graphics – it’s a huge leap forward from previous games in the series, with stunning lighting and visual effects during battles.
What sets this game apart is its consistent focus on cooperative play – you’ll likely team up with friends for missions, similar to what Rise of the Ronin offered. The exciting action remains the main draw, and everything feels very up-to-date. While the combat isn’t revolutionary, it’s always been highly interactive in this series, and that continues here. We expect to see the game released in the near future, though a specific date hasn’t been announced yet.
6. Mistfall Hunter
A New Take on the Genre
Okay, so I’ve been checking out Mistfall Hunter, and it’s not your average soulslike. It’s mixing things up by adding elements of extraction games, which honestly, the genre really needed. It creates this cool PvPvE experience where you’re fighting both other players and the environment, and I think it’s got serious potential. At first glance, it looks like a typical soulslike, but the gameplay is where it gets really interesting. They’ve got a bunch of different classes to choose from, you can play by yourself or team up with a friend, and there’s a story unfolding in the background too, which is a nice touch.
The combat is fast-paced and feels more open than most games in the soulslike genre, but it still has that familiar, challenging feel. It will be interesting to see how players react, as a similar game, Elden Ring: Nightreign, received mixed reviews. We’ll know for sure when this game is released in July.
5. Onimusha: Way of the Sword
Samurai Souls
Many people consider Onimusha to be the game that started the ‘souls-like’ genre, and it’s easy to see why. The original Onimusha featured a dark, unsettling atmosphere, a leveling-up system tied to checkpoints, and challenging combat that emphasized timing and defense. Now, with Onimusha: Way of the Sword, the series is making a comeback, and it looks like it’s going back to its roots with impressive combat and beautiful graphics that capture the spirit of the original game.
People have questioned the game’s lighthearted tone, and I understand why – the initial trailers didn’t feel like the traditional Onimusha experience. However, I’m open to seeing the complete picture. If the gameplay is solid and the story is engaging, I’m willing to accept a less serious protagonist. While there’s no confirmed release date, we can expect the game to come out in the near future.
4. Forsaken Realms: Vahrin’s Call
Call of the Past
| Developers | Titan Roc |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 2026 |
| Platforms | PC |
Watching Forsaken Realms: Vahrin’s Call in action is really promising. It blends the challenging combat of Souls-like games with the style of the classic Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. The game has a beautiful, magical look, reminiscent of Fable, which is a style we haven’t seen much lately. While the graphics have a slightly cartoonish feel, it’s endearing and offers a fresh take on fantasy games – a genre that feels a bit underrepresented these days.
Forsaken Realms features visually appealing combat, both with weapons and magic, though it doesn’t reinvent the wheel. What really stands out is the game’s unique style, lighting, and the clear dedication of its developers. The title itself isn’t the most memorable, but the gameplay feels promising. While the story is still largely unknown, the game appears to be a substantial action RPG with challenging, Soulslike combat and plenty of diverse options. I’m quietly optimistic about this one and consider it a potential surprise hit of the year.
3. Fatekeeper
Souls of Might and Magic
Let’s continue with first-person games and talk about Fatekeeper. It looks absolutely stunning in action, and promises a very different experience from Valor Mortis. It reminds me a lot of Dark Messiah, a fantastic but overlooked game that’s become a favorite among players over time.
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Fatekeeper captures a similar energy, offering players immersive environments and challenging, skill-based combat. You’ll engage in close-quarters battles with precise blocking and parrying, enhanced by some exciting magical abilities. The overall feel of the game is harsh and bleak, with combat that looks brutal and satisfying. It appears there will be enough different moves and techniques to keep players engaged for the entire game.
The game’s environments evoke a blend of the atmospheric mystery of Myst with the challenging gameplay of ‘Souls-like’ games, creating a potentially captivating experience.
2. Mortal Shell 2
The Soulslike Glow Up
Mortal Shell 2 aims to build on the first game’s success and significantly expand the series. The original Mortal Shell offered a unique experience reminiscent of early Dark Souls games, focusing on a shell mechanic that allowed players to adapt their approach. Now, Mortal Shell 2 appears to be a much more ambitious and action-packed evolution, boasting impressive graphics, special finishing moves for each enemy, and a wide range of combat styles.
The game boasts a wide range of weapons and guns. The combat animations in this installment of Mortal Shell are stunning, and the special finishing moves for each enemy are genuinely impressive, making battles much more exciting. This looks like a strong contender in the soulslike genre, and could really put the series on the map, similar to how Remnant 2 did.
1. Phantom Blade Zero
The New Blood
Phantom Blade Zero aims to significantly impact the soulslike genre. The gameplay looks incredible, and it’s poised to become a standout title. Unlike traditional soulslikes known for their slow, methodical combat, Phantom Blade Zero emphasizes speed and fluidity. The main character is incredibly fast, featuring stunning animations, exciting battles, and challenging boss encounters.
Wow, this game is fast. Honestly, I haven’t felt this kind of speed in a game for ages, and it really reminds me of the old Ninja Gaiden games, but with that tough, deliberate combat you expect from a soulslike. I’m calling it now – this one’s going to be huge. It just looks incredible! They’ve packed in so many different weapon styles, the combat is wild and acrobatic – almost like a martial arts movie – and the bosses are seriously challenging, demanding real skill. It feels like a game you absolutely can’t afford to miss. It’s coming out at a busy time with that other big release in November, but I think this game is special and will stand out.
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2026-05-08 19:42