Games Like Elden Ring does something rare: it makes struggle feel thrilling instead of exhausting. You’re not just chasing a bigger sword or a higher number—you’re learning timing, reading enemy behavior, experimenting with builds, and stumbling into discoveries that feel personal because you earned them. When the credits roll (or when you finally decide you’ve “seen enough” for now), the natural question hits: what’s next?
This guide is built for exactly that moment. You’ll find a carefully curated list of games like Elden Ring—some nearly identical in combat philosophy, others similar in the way they reward exploration, experimentation, and persistence. I’ll also help you pick the right follow-up based on what you actually loved: the boss fights, the open world, the build variety, the lore, the co-op chaos, or the sheer satisfaction of mastering something difficult.
What “Games Like Elden Ring” Really Means (So You Choose the Right One)
A lot of lists throw every dark fantasy RPG into the same bucket, but Elden Ring’s appeal is more specific. When people search for games like Elden Ring, they typically want some combination of the following:
Tight, stamina-based combat where positioning and timing matter more than button mashing
High-stakes boss fights with readable patterns and punish windows
Meaningful builds: weapons, stats, spells, and gear that change how you play
Exploration that rewards curiosity with secrets, shortcuts, and optional challenges
A world with mystery-driven storytelling (often environmental, often subtle)
A “risk and reward” loop: losing resources on death but having a fair path to reclaim them
Not every recommendation needs to hit all of these. The best pick depends on your personal “Elden Ring core.”
The Closest Matches: Soulslikes That Nail the FromSoftware Feel
If what you want is the nearest thing to Elden Ring’s combat and progression—measured movement, punishing mistakes, and boss-centric learning—start here.
Dark Souls Remastered
If you haven’t played it, this is the DNA that shaped Elden Ring’s bones. Dark Souls is more compact and interconnected than Elden Ring, with fewer “wide-open” stretches and more deliberate dungeon-like routes. The atmosphere is oppressive in the best way, and the sense of place is unmatched: you’ll learn the map like it’s a real location.
Why it scratches the itch: iconic bosses, stamina management, build variety, and that satisfying “I finally understand this area” breakthrough.
Best for: players who loved legacy dungeons, shortcut discovery, and slow, tactical combat.
Dark Souls III
This is the smoothest, most modern-feeling Dark Souls entry and often the easiest to recommend to Elden Ring fans. Combat is faster than Dark Souls Remastered, bosses are more aggressive, and the overall flow feels closer to Elden Ring’s late-game intensity.
Why it scratches the itch: excellent boss roster, strong weapon variety, and consistent tension.
Best for: players who loved Elden Ring’s faster enemies and late-game boss pressure.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Sekiro is not a “build” game. It’s a mastery game. You’ll trade stat tinkering for pure skill development: deflections, posture breaks, and relentless enemy pressure. When it clicks, it feels like learning a rhythm that turns impossible fights into controlled duels.
Why it scratches the itch: demanding combat, incredible bosses, and the same “teach you through pain” design philosophy.
Best for: players who loved learning move sets and want a sharper, more focused combat system.
Bloodborne (If You Can Access It)
Bloodborne swaps shields and caution for aggression and momentum. Dodges are quicker, rally healing encourages you to fight back, and the entire experience leans into horror and intensity. It’s one of the most beloved “Souls” experiences for a reason.
Why it scratches the itch: tight combat, unforgettable atmosphere, and bosses that reward bold play.
Best for: players who enjoyed Elden Ring’s faster builds and want something darker and more frantic.
Demon’s Souls (Remake or Original)
This is the foundation: hub-based worlds, punishing runs, and a more experimental feel. It’s slightly less open than Games Like Elden Ring and more “stage-based,” but the tension is real, and the environments are iconic.
Why it scratches the itch: methodical pacing, deadly levels, satisfying progression.
Best for: players who liked the feeling of “conquering a route” and don’t mind older design quirks.
Soulslike Alternatives That Bring Their Own Flavor (But Still Feel Familiar)
These games share Games Like Elden Ring’s challenge and structure, but they add twists—different settings, faster movement, or unique progression.
Lies of P
One of the strongest modern Soulslikes, Lies of P blends tight combat with a darker fairy-tale aesthetic. The weapon assembly system is a standout: you can mix blades and handles to customize move sets in a way that feels genuinely creative.
Why it scratches the itch: precise boss fights, strong level design, and a satisfying “learn-and-overcome” curve.
Best for: players who want a polished Soulslike with a fresh identity and memorable bosses.
Nioh 2
Nioh 2 is for players who want complexity and speed. It has deep loot systems, stances, skill trees, and a combat tempo that can feel more like an action game—until you realize it’s just as punishing. Builds can become wildly specialized, and high-level play rewards real system knowledge.
Why it scratches the itch: demanding enemies, build crafting, and a massive skill ceiling.
Best for: players who loved optimizing builds and want more technical combat depth.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
A faster, parry-forward experience with a martial arts vibe. If you liked the idea of Sekiro’s deflection gameplay but want a more RPG-like structure, Wo Long can fit nicely.
Why it scratches the itch: aggressive combat, morale-based progression, and tight action loops.
Best for: players who want quick fights and a parry-centric approach without fully committing to Sekiro.
The Surge 2
Think Soulslike structure, but in a gritty sci-fi world where targeting specific limbs matters. Combat emphasizes positioning and dismemberment-style loot acquisition, which makes progression feel tactile and earned.
Why it scratches the itch: methodical combat and rewarding exploration, plus a unique gear chase.
Best for: players who want Soulslike difficulty outside fantasy.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (and Jedi: Survivor)
These are accessible Souls-inspired action adventures: meditation checkpoints, stamina-like management, and pattern-based fights, but with smoother onboarding and story-driven pacing.
Why it scratches the itch: exploration, shortcuts, and satisfying combat that rewards timing.
Best for: players who liked Elden Ring’s “learn the enemy” loop but want a more guided journey.
Mortal Shell
A shorter, moodier Soulslike with a clever twist: “shells” act as character forms, and hardening lets you tank a hit at strategic moments. It’s not as massive as Games Like Elden Ring, but it’s tight and atmospheric.
Why it scratches the itch: deliberate combat and a strong sense of mystery.
Best for: players who want a compact, challenging experience without a huge time investment.
Lords of the Fallen (Modern)
A more recent take with a dual-realm mechanic that can dramatically change navigation and risk. It leans into grim fantasy and offers a heavier, classic Soulslike cadence.
Why it scratches the itch: dark tone, boss-driven progression, and exploration with escalating danger.
Best for: players who want a broad Soulslike adventure with co-op options and a sinister vibe.
Open-World and Exploration-First Picks (If You Loved Getting Lost in the Lands Between)
Maybe the bosses were great, but what you truly loved was wandering into the unknown and constantly finding something—an unexpected dungeon, a strange questline, a new weapon that changes your whole run. These games prioritize discovery, adventure, and player-driven momentum.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild / Tears of the Kingdom
Different combat philosophy, same obsession with exploration. You’re rewarded for curiosity constantly, and the world is designed to be navigated creatively rather than “correctly.” While the difficulty curve is gentler overall, self-imposed challenges can make it surprisingly intense.
Why it scratches the itch: freedom, discovery, and experimentation.
Best for: players who loved Elden Ring’s open world more than its brutality.
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen (and Dragon’s Dogma 2)
Dragon’s Dogma nails the feeling of setting out on a dangerous journey where anything can happen. Combat is a highlight—climbing monsters, party synergy, and satisfying physicality. Nighttime travel becomes legitimately scary early on, and certain areas can humble you fast.
Why it scratches the itch: adventurous exploration, meaningful vocation/build choices, and big monster fights.
Best for: players who want a fantasy journey with dynamic combat and emergent chaos.
Skyrim (With a Challenge Mindset)
Skyrim isn’t mechanically similar to Elden Ring moment-to-moment, but it’s a “live in this world for 200 hours” kind of RPG with builds, exploration, secrets, and a constant drip of discovery. If you crave the freedom to roleplay and wander, it still delivers.
Why it scratches the itch: open-ended builds, exploration, and long-form progression.
Best for: players who want a huge world and aren’t chasing Soulslike combat precision.
The Witcher 3 (For Story-First, World-First Players)
If Elden Ring’s lore pulled you in and you want a richer, more explicit narrative delivery, The Witcher 3 is a strong follow-up. Combat is more forgiving and more about preparation and positioning than razor-tight timing, but the world-building is top-tier.
Why it scratches the itch: dark fantasy atmosphere, meaningful quests, and deep world immersion.
Best for: players who loved Elden Ring’s tone and want more character-driven storytelling.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
This is “hard” in a different way: grounded medieval realism, survival elements, and a learning curve that makes you feel incompetent before you become capable. Swordplay can be punishing, and preparation matters.
Why it scratches the itch: earned competence, danger, and a world that doesn’t revolve around you.
Best for: players who like progression that feels realistic and hard-won.
Hardcore Combat RPGs That Reward Build Obsession (For Advanced Players)
If you spent hours optimizing talismans, optimizing poise breakpoints, or building around a single spell interaction, you might want a game that feeds that same experimentation.
Monster Hunter: World (and Monster Hunter Rise)
This isn’t a Soulslike, but it absolutely delivers that “study the boss, learn the tells, improve over time” loop. Fights are long, technical, and loaded with decision-making. Your build is your armor skills, your weapon mastery, and your item preparation.
Why it scratches the itch: boss mastery, weapon identity, and satisfying skill growth.
Best for: players who loved Elden Ring’s boss learning but want deeper long-form encounters.
Path of Exile (If You Want Build Depth Over Action Combat)
Not an action RPG in the Elden Ring sense, but one of the deepest buildcraft games ever made. If theorycrafting is your true addiction—stacking mechanics, solving a puzzle of damage and survivability—this is the rabbit hole.
Why it scratches the itch: build complexity and progression obsession.
Best for: players who loved optimizing and don’t need third-person action combat.
Diablo IV (More Accessible, Still Build-Driven)
If you want a cleaner, more approachable build chase with strong presentation and satisfying combat flow, Diablo IV can deliver a steady progression loop. It’s not about punishing precision—it’s about momentum, loot, and synergy.
Why it scratches the itch: builds, loot chase, and action rhythm.
Best for: players who want progression and power fantasy with some challenge, not repeated boss wipe learning.
Practical Insights: How to Choose the Best Game Like Elden Ring for You
The smartest way to pick your next game is to identify what you actually spent the most time doing in Elden Ring—and what you miss now that it’s gone.
If You Loved Boss Fights Above Everything
Pick: Sekiro, Dark Souls III, Lies of P, Monster Hunter: World
You’ll get cleaner “fight as a lesson” design, strong pattern recognition, and satisfying mastery arcs.
If You Loved Exploration and Secret Hunting
Pick: Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom, Dragon’s Dogma, Skyrim
You’ll get that wandering momentum where your best stories come from getting distracted.
If You Loved Build Variety and Experimentation
Pick: Nioh 2, Dark Souls series, Diablo IV, Path of Exile
These games support “I’m starting over because I have a better idea” energy.
If You Loved Co-op and Summoning Help
Pick: Dark Souls III, Elden Ring’s close Soulslike peers, Lords of the Fallen
You’ll keep that communal feeling—whether it’s coordination or hilarious chaos.
If You Loved Lore and Mood
Pick: Bloodborne, Dark Souls Remastered, Lies of P, The Witcher 3
These games commit to tone and reward players who pay attention to details.
Examples: Matching Your Elden Ring Build to a New Game
Sometimes the easiest way to choose is to translate your playstyle.
“I played a Strength build with a colossal weapon”
Try: Dark Souls Remastered or Dark Souls III for that weighty, committed swing timing. Monster Hunter also works if you loved deliberate attacks and spacing.
“I was a Dex player who lived on dodges and bleed”
Try: Bloodborne for aggression and speed, or Lies of P for crisp evasive play with tight windows.
“I ran pure caster or mixed magic and melee”
Try: Dark Souls III for classic spell variety, or Skyrim/Witcher 3 if you want magic in a broader roleplaying framework.
“I loved parrying and stance breaks”
Try: Sekiro first. If you want something faster and more RPG-structured, Wo Long can be a comfortable bridge.
“I did challenge runs and self-imposed restrictions”
Try: Sekiro, Dark Souls III, or Nioh 2. These games shine when you push against their systems and learn the deep mechanics.
Expert Tips: How to Transition Smoothly After Elden Ring
Moving from Elden Ring to a new game can feel awkward—even if the genre is similar—because your instincts are tuned to Elden Ring’s pacing and tools. These tips make the adjustment easier.
Reset Your Expectations About Movement and Safety
Elden Ring gives you huge open spaces and often multiple escape routes. Many Soulslikes are tighter and more claustrophobic. If you’re used to riding away or disengaging easily, you’ll need to relearn how to “win the room” before you advance.
Treat Your First 5–10 Hours as Training, Not Progress
The best games like Elden Ring reward familiarity. In the early hours, prioritize learning enemy patterns, dodge timing, and stamina rules. Your build will come later, and it will feel better once your fundamentals are stable.
Don’t Overcommit to a Single Build Too Early
Some games punish early misinvestment more than Elden Ring does. Experiment first, then specialize once you understand what the game actually values—burst damage, stagger, elemental uptime, parry consistency, or mobility.
Learn the Game’s “Defense Language”
Elden Ring lets you solve problems in multiple ways: roll, shield, spacing, posture breaks, summons. Other games may heavily prefer one defense method. Sekiro wants deflection. Bloodborne wants aggression. Monster Hunter wants positioning and animation knowledge. Once you speak the game’s defense language, everything gets easier.
If You’re Burned Out, Choose a Different Flavor of Similar Satisfaction
Sometimes you don’t need another Soulslike immediately. If you’re mentally tired from high-intensity boss learning, shift to exploration-first or story-first games. You’ll keep the sense of adventure without forcing the same type of stress.
Common Mistakes People Make When Looking for Games Like Elden Ring
Assuming “dark fantasy” automatically means “Elden Ring-like”
A grim setting doesn’t guarantee the same combat feel, build depth, or difficulty fairness. Focus on mechanics and progression loops, not just aesthetics.
Choosing the hardest option immediately after finishing Elden Ring
If you just finished a long run, you might be at peak fatigue. Jumping straight into a high-pressure parry game can backfire. It’s okay to pick something with a different rhythm first.
Expecting identical open-world freedom
Many Soulslikes are more linear. That isn’t a downgrade—it’s a different kind of tension. But you’ll enjoy them more if you stop looking for an Elden Ring-sized map.
Ignoring the importance of “feel”
Animation timing, hit feedback, dodge responsiveness, and camera behavior matter. Two games can share a genre label and still feel completely different. If a game’s combat feel doesn’t click, don’t force it.
Not engaging with the game’s upgrade systems
Some players try to “skill-only” everything and then complain the game is unfair. Most Elden Ring-style games expect you to upgrade weapons, use consumables, and leverage mechanics. Playing stubbornly can turn a fair fight into a miserable one.
FAQs About Games Like Elden Ring
What is the closest game to Elden Ring?
In pure structure and feel, the closest options are Dark Souls III (combat tempo and bosses) and Dark Souls Remastered (world design and atmosphere). If you want a modern non-FromSoftware alternative, Lies of P is one of the strongest close matches.
Are there any open-world Soulslike games besides Elden Ring?
There are open-zone and exploration-heavy Soulslikes, but true open-world Soulslike design is still relatively rare. If you want the exploration feeling more than the exact combat, Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom and Dragon’s Dogma are excellent substitutes.
What should I play if I loved Elden Ring but want something easier?
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is a strong pick because it has Souls-inspired structure with a more guided ramp. Skyrim and The Witcher 3 also deliver fantasy adventure without demanding the same mechanical precision.
What should I play if I loved Elden Ring and want something harder?
Sekiro can feel harder because it demands a specific defensive skill set. Nioh 2 can also be tougher due to system complexity and faster combat. Monster Hunter can be challenging in a different, endurance-based way.
Which games like Elden Ring have the best build variety?
Nioh 2 is a standout for deep optimization and playstyle variety. Dark Souls III offers classic build diversity with strong weapon identities. For pure buildcraft obsession, Path of Exile is in a league of its own (though it’s a different perspective and combat style).
Do any games capture Elden Ring’s sense of mystery and discovery?
Dark Souls Remastered captures mystery through world design and subtle storytelling. Bloodborne does it through tone, environmental clues, and escalating revelations. Breath of the Wild captures discovery through emergent exploration and experimentation.
Conclusion: Your Next “Elden Ring” Depends on What You Loved Most
The best games like Elden Ring aren’t just “hard games” or “dark fantasy RPGs.” They’re games that respect the player enough to demand attention—and then reward that attention with mastery, discovery, and momentum. If you want the closest mechanical match, the Souls family and top-tier Soulslikes like Lies of P are the obvious next step. If the open-world wonder is what you miss, lean into exploration-first adventures like Breath of the Wild or Dragon’s Dogma. And if your favorite part was build obsession and optimization, you’ll feel right at home in Nioh 2 or other deep progression-driven RPGs.
Pick one based on your personal Elden Ring core, commit to the first few hours of learning, and you’ll find that same magic again—the kind that makes you lean forward, lock in, and say, “Alright. One more try.”
