Summary
FromSoftware’sDark Soulsis loved for many reasons. Be it the game’s distinctive dark-fantasy world, ensemble cast of quirky characters, punishing difficulty, orimpressive boss battles, there’s a lot to love.
Many games have capitalized on the success ofDark Souls,giving way to an entire genre. These games usually feature the same ARPG gameplay, with an emphasis on dodge rolls, stamina management, and intense difficulty. They’re also known to feature elements of the Metroidvania genre with pseudo-open-world designs. However, there are a variety of games outside of this souls-like genre thatDark Soulsfans are sure to appreciate. Immersive and mysterious atmospheres, interconnected worlds, dark fantasy settings, and challenging combat are all on the table.
Though it features souls-like elements in the form of stamina management, a dodge roll, and impressive boss battles,TUNICis quite obviously adjacent togames such asThe Legend Of Zelda. As a result of its similarities, however,TUNICis more than likely to appeal toDark Soulsfans.
Although its charming, cutesy aesthetic is the polar opposite ofDark Souls’Gothic fantasy world,TUNICmaintains the same enigmatic atmosphere. Similarly toDark Souls, this is thanks to a lack of hand-holding, andTUNICtakes this a step further by mystifying its tutorial with a fictional language presented in a nostalgic game manual.
This slow-paced first-person dungeon-crawler, influenced bygames such asKing’s FieldandShadow Tower, excels with its immersive atmosphere. The dense ambiance ofLunacid’slocations, supported by a dream-like soundtrack, is sure to appeal to certainDark Soulsfans.
However, the moment-to-moment gameplay isn’t quite as refined asDark Souls, and it’s decidedly slower in pace. As a result,Lunacidis more likely to appeal toDark Soulsfans looking for more of that immersive exploration, rather than an action-packed gauntlet of enemies and boss battles.
Gloomwooddoesn’t play at all likeDark Souls; it’s afirst-person immersive simwith a heavy focus on stealth and survival-horror mechanics. However, the interconnected nature of the game’s world and the heavy focus on exploration that comes along with it is more than likely to appeal to particular fans ofDark Souls.
LikeDark Souls,Gloomwoodrewards the curious, encouraging players to explore thoroughly by using challenge as motivation. InGloomwood, this comes from mechanics rooted in the survival-horror genre; designated save rooms and heavily limited resources provide a natural ebb and flow of desperation and sharp relief.
Animal Wellis a game unlike many others, dropping players into an exotic underground well with little to no information and continuing this sense of enigma throughout. This is supported by the game’s visual style, sound design, and interconnected world, which help to make exploration a truly immersive experience.
The sense of discovery that this design facilitates is, arguably, on par with games such asDark Souls, from the opening of shortcuts tothe abundance of secrets. As a result,Dark Soulsfans who don’t mind forgoing combat may get some familiar chills fromAnimal Well.
Fans ofDark Soulslooking for more brutally difficult games should look no further thanDarkest Dungeon. Despite its focus onturn-based strategyover skillful action,Darkest Dungeon’sdowntrodden tone, grim-dark fantasy setting, and unforgiving gameplay are sure to please certainDark Soulsfans.
There’s little in the way of exploration, at least on a large scale, but players who enjoyedDark Soulsfor its challenging gameplay will find plenty to love withDarkest Dungeon. Furthermore, the Gothic nature ofDarkest Dungeon’s world and the hopelessness of its characters is a stone’s throw from the iconic realm of Lordran.
Resident Evilis a far cry fromDark Soulsin many ways, that much will be immediately apparent to many. However, there are many qualities to the firstResident Eviltitle that are sure to give certainDark Soulsfans a kick.Resident Evildoes not feature RPG systems or expressive combat; rather, its gameplay is relatively clunky. Despite this,Resident Evil’slock-and-key structure and the dynamic nature of its environments will likely scratch a very specific itch for fans ofDark Souls.
Certainly,Resident Evilis also different in theme, but both games feature a cast of horrifying enemies. There’s also something to be said aboutResident Evil’ssafe rooms and the feelings that they evoke, especially later on in the game; fans looking for more of the overwhelming reprieve that comes with finally reaching a bonfire inDark Soulswill surely appreciate the rare but vital safe rooms inResident Evil.
ThoughHollow Knightshares many similarities withDark Souls, it’s a Metroidvania above all else. Most notably,Hollow Knightfeatures very little in the way of RPG elements. However, despite its differences,Dark Soulsfans are still sure to enjoy exploring the deep and atmospheric world of Hallownest.
The game’s atmosphere and the interconnected nature of its world are key qualities here, with subtle world-building and cryptic, environmental storytelling sprinkled throughout. The game’s abundance of boss fights, scattered save points, and quirky NPCs are also familiar, offering a memorable journey that constantly offers players a sense of discovery.
