There are games like Elden Ring you need to play if you've conquered The Lands Between – or otherwise have given up trying. While Elden Ring is undoubtedly one of the best FromSoftware games ever, it's pretty damn challenging! Which is why you might be looking for some viable alternatives, so below we've got a selection of some of the best action games and best RPGs available that should scratch that same itch.
We've included a range of experiences, from gruelling action RPGS that riff off FromSoft's style of punishing combat to lore-dense fantasy worlds if you were taken by the aesthetics of Elden Ring more than the gameplay. There's something on this list to suit all tastes, so join us as we delve into the best games like Elden Ring to play next.
Dark Souls Remastered
Developer: FromSoftware
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Of course, what better place to start than with the first Dark Souls? This is the game that truly put FromSoftware on the map, and even over a decade later, it still remains one of the best games of all time. Sure, some of it feels outdated, especially its visuals, but its design still holds up tremendously well. Dark Souls is known for its incredible creature designs, satisfying progression system, and epic boss battles that still get us hyped to this day. We recommend playing Dark Souls Remastered, which features many quality of life improvements over the 2011 original, including enhanced visuals.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Developer: CD Projekt Red
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
One thing about the Souls games is that they don’t spoonfeed you much information, especially when it comes to narrative. So, if you’re looking for a game with a rich story full of lovable (and hateable) characters, we highly recommend The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. While its combat doesn’t feel quite as nuanced as what you’d find in a Souls game, it makes up for it with its storytelling and performances. On top of that, it requires you to make a series of difficult decisions throughout, many of which turn the tide of the overall plot, leading to one of the most unforgettable video game stories of all time.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Developer: FromSoftware
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
When Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice launched in 2019, FromSoftware already had several Souls games under its belt, so fans were ready for a change. And that’s exactly what this game offered, giving players an experience that focused much more on combat than its previous titles. While Sekiro certainly does feature light RPG elements, combat is the driving force, forcing players to have pinpoint accuracy with every single move they make. It also feels more fluid than many of the Souls games, even featuring a jump button and grapple hook for a greater sense of verticality than ever before. In many ways, it’s far more difficult than the games that came before it, demanding near-perfection from those who are up for the challenge.
Bloodborne
Developer: FromSoftware
Platform(s): PS4
We could easily ramble on and on about each FromSoftware RPG, but we’ll only touch on one more here. One of the most beloved of the bunch is Bloodborne, a game that borrows most of the mechanics from the Souls series, but with a Victorian Gothic aesthetic featuring Lovecraftian design. That’s right, instead of dragons and other fantasy creatures, you’ll face off against monsters with tentacles amidst some of the most gorgeous architecture we’ve ever seen. In many ways, Bloodborne almost feels like a horror game, due to the unsettling onslaught of foes it throws at you. This RPG is not for those with a weak stomach, that’s for sure.
Lies of P
Developer: Neowiz Games
Platform(s): PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PC, Mac
If you loved the eldritch horror and gothic vibe of Bloodborne as well as the smooth combat systems of Elden Ring, you'll love Lies of P. It was a standout game for us in 2023, complete with innovative composite weapons and the propensity to create deep character builds to truly customize your experience. This is a twisted fairy tale like you've never seen before, as robot puppet P (yes, as in Pinocchio) crusades through Krat on a mission to defeat rogue robots and quell the corruption that is turning them against their human masters. Lies of P is perhaps one of the best games like Elden Ring to be released in recent years, and the fact that it's on Xbox Game Pass makes it an excellent pick if you're looking for something fast, brutal, and very very good.
Nioh
Developer: Koei Tecmo Games
Platform(s): PS4, PS5, PC
Nioh is similar to Sekiro in that it leans more into combat, but still features core RPG elements, along with an emphasis on loot. The Souls influence is clear here, but Nioh does enough to stand on its own, offering an enjoyable story, and equally as enjoyable gameplay. For instance, players can select various stances to use during combat, offering a wide variety of moves – each with pros and cons that reward experimentation. Utilize High stance to deal more damage, while low stance offers more defense. Nioh is a game many players skipped due to it launching so closely to Dark Souls III, but we recommend giving it a try (along with its sequel, Nioh 2).
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Developer: Respawn Entertainment
Platform(s): PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Respawn Entertainment has one of the best track records in the video game space. It proved that with Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, an action-adventure game that borrows elements from the Souls series, placing you in the shoes of Cal Kestis. It features excellent melee combat that feels more nuanced than you might expect, requiring you to parry and dodge your opponents’ attacks, which is highly satisfying when executed properly. But it also incorporates what fans love about Star Wars, from lovable characters to awe-inspiring battles, along with references to the series sprinkled throughout. This story is canon to the overall Star Wars story, taking place five years after Revenge of the Sith.
Code Vein
Developer: Bandai Namco Studios
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
In 2019, Bandai Namco developed and published Code Vein, an action RPG set in a post-apocalyptic world. Much like other games on this list, it wears its Souls inspiration on its sleeve, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check it out. Many often refer to this game as “anime Dark Souls,” and while the comparison is apt, Code Vein does a lot to stand apart – particularly in its gameplay. For example, you have access to an AI partner who follows you for the majority of the game, helping you defeat enemies and offsetting some of the difficulty, while never feeling too easy. In addition, being able to change your class whenever you’d like offers a wide variety of ways to play, which helps keep the fun factor intact.
Shadow of the Colossus
Developer: Team Ico
Platform(s): PS4
Many games on this list throw wave after wave of enemies at you, and while that has its merits, players might be looking for a more slow-paced experience. If so, look no further than Shadow of the Colossus, a lonely adventure comprised only of bosses. That’s right, the game features 16 behemoth bosses, each with distinct weaknesses that require you to approach them like puzzles rather than typical enemies. It’s fascinating because the bosses are so large, they feel like levels themselves, forcing you to scale them to take them down. A game made up of only bosses might seem boring, but once you start playing, you’ll see why it’s regarded as one of the greatest games of all time.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Developer: Nintendo
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
Be not fooled by the pretty cartoonish graphics: Zelda Tears of the Kingdom is one of the best games like Elden Ring out there today. The latest entry in Nintendo's long-running series is a stunning open world adventure filled with adventure to be had, as well as myriad perils to be stumbled upon at each turn. You can be ambling around happily on horseback and suddenly run into a giant three-headed Frost Gleeok, and woe betide anyone who tries to go up against the Garudo Valley phenomena without the proper armor. Tears of the Kingdom is littered with chance enemy encounters with hulking enemies that instil Elden Ring levels of "oh sh*t" fight-or-flight responses, and although your foes don't respawn each time you die, they will come back to haunt you during a Blood Moon. Look, there's a reason I've taken to calling it Zelden Ring, alright?
Looking for more recommendations? Check out our pick of the best games like Dark Souls.
