Fans of the Soulsborne series were taken aback when FromSoftware announced that their latest project, *The Duskbloods*—an online multiplayer game with a quasi-Victorian aesthetic that echoes the beloved *Bloodborne*—will be exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2, priced at $449.99. While this news might send many fans into despair, there's no need to succumb to the abyss. Since the groundbreaking release of the original *Dark Souls* in 2011, numerous developers have attempted to capture or reinvent FromSoftware’s unique formula. While some have stumbled, others have risen to the challenge admirably.

You're likely familiar with notable titles such as *Nioh*, *Lies of P*, and *Black Myth: Wukong*. However, some of the most inventive soulslike experiences come from indie developers who, despite limited resources, have managed to create games that resonate with the essence of FromSoftware's masterpieces. Their creativity and passion have produced games that satisfy the cravings of Soulsborne enthusiasts without the need for a Switch 2.

Here is a curated list of the top 10 indie soulslike games you can dive into today:

Eldest Souls

Developer: Fallen Flag Studio | Publisher: United Label, CI Games | Release date: July 29, 2021 | Review: Read IGN's Eldest Souls review

The Soulsborne formula encompasses exploration, skill-based combat, cryptic lore, environmental storytelling, and epic boss battles. *Eldest Souls* focuses on the latter, offering a boss-rush experience. In this game, you take on the role of a lone warrior navigating a sprawling, *Bloodborne*-inspired citadel filled with creatively-designed monsters. Its 2D combat system is dynamic, making each fight feel more than just a matter of timing your button presses correctly, even if that's the core mechanic.

Blasphemous

Developer: The Game Kitchen | Publisher: Team17 | Release date: September 10, 2019 | Review: Read IGN's Blasphemous review

Fans of *Bloodborne*'s eerie atmosphere will feel at home in *Blasphemous*, a 2D metroidvania set in the hauntingly beautiful world of Cvstodia. Here, a masked crusader uncovers eldritch horrors within a setting inspired by Roman Catholicism, Renaissance Italy, and Inquisition-era Spain. The game's character and boss designs, which continue into *Blasphemous 2* and its *Mea Culpa* DLC, are unparalleled in their ability to evoke the unsettling beauty of ancient Christian iconography.

Tunic

Developer: Tunic Team | Publisher: Finji | Release date: March 16, 2022 | Review: Read IGN's Tunic review

Drawing inspiration from FromSoftware's own influences, *Tunic* mirrors the original *Zelda* games' sense of curiosity and wonder. Don't be misled by its charming, anthropomorphic fox protagonist; *Tunic* features interconnected, deliberately obtuse level design similar to FromSoftware's titles. With no objective markers and cryptic in-game dialogue, it leaves players piecing together the mysterious backstory of its world, much like the *Dark Souls* series and *Elden Ring*.

Tails of Iron

Developer: Odd Bug Studio | Publisher: United Label | Release date: September 17, 2021

Though *Tails of Iron* and its sequel *Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter* boast a charming picture book aesthetic, they delve into dark themes reminiscent of *Game of Thrones* or *The Witcher*, complete with blood, gore, and narratives of betrayal. Narrated by Doug Cockle, the voice of Geralt of Rivia, these games share FromSoftware's knack for crafting immersive, atmospheric environments despite their distinct storytelling approach.

Mortal Shell

Developer: Cold Symmetry | Publisher: Playstack | Release date: August 18, 2021 | Review: Read IGN's Mortal Shell review

*Mortal Shell* stands out with its unique mechanic of inhabiting different "shells" with preset builds, allowing players to tackle bosses using varied playstyles. Its enemy design, particularly the final boss, rivals *Bloodborne*'s Great Ones, and its combat strikes a balance between challenge and epic encounters, a feat FromSoftware refined in later titles like *Dark Souls 3* and *Bloodborne*.

Sinner: Sacrifice for Redemption

Developer: Dark Star | Publisher: Neon Doctrine | Release date: October 23, 2018 | Review: Read IGN's Sinner: Sacrifice for Redemption review

*Sinner: Sacrifice for Redemption* flips the traditional progression curve by requiring players to level down, making each subsequent fight more challenging. This innovative mechanic enhances replayability, as players must strategize which abilities to sacrifice before facing each boss, modeled after the Seven Deadly Sins. The freedom to choose the order of boss battles adds depth and strategic planning.

Nine Sols

Developer: RedCandleGames | Publisher: RedCandleGames | Release date: May 29, 2024

Inspired by *Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice*, *Nine Sols* blends cyberpunk with East Asian mythology in a 2D action platformer. Its combat system prioritizes defense over offense, focusing on dodging, blocking, and parrying. This approach creates a rhythm-based challenge that rewards careful observation and timing, much like *Sekiro*.

Unsighted

Developer: Studio Pixel Punk | Publisher: Humble Games | Release date: September 30, 2021

*Unsighted* captures the essence of character relationships in Soulsborne games by integrating a time-sensitive mechanic into its narrative and gameplay. Set in a world of automatons, each NPC has a limited power supply, and their removal from the game upon depletion adds urgency and forces players to strategize their progression carefully.

Another Crab’s Treasure

Developer: Aggro Crab | Publisher: Aggro Crab | Release date: April 25, 2024 | Review: Read IGN's Another Crab’s Treasure review

In *Another Crab’s Treasure*, you play as a SpongeBob-esque crustacean navigating a morose underwater quest. The game's unique mechanic centers around customizing your defensive shell with human garbage found on the ocean floor. Each shell offers different attacks and limited durability, compelling players to adapt their playstyle throughout the journey.

Exanima

Developer: Bare Mettle Entertainment | Publisher: Bare Mettle Entertainment | Release date: April 29, 2015

*Exanima* combines elements of *Dark Souls* and *Getting Over It* in a physics-based survival game set in demon-infested dungeons. Despite being in development for over a decade, its early access version offers substantial entertainment. The game's finicky controls make every encounter suspenseful, reminiscent of early experiences in FromSoftware's worlds like Lordran or Drangleic.

These are our top 10 picks for the best indie soulslike games. However, there are countless other gems out there, such as *Death's Door*, *Loot River*, *Featherfall*, and *Dark Devotion*. Did we miss your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments below. For more challenging experiences, be sure to check out our list of the best non-indie soulslike games.